Star Towing JunkYard in San Diego (CA)

It's honestly a scam. If you collect your car after closing, it costs an extra hundred or so dollars. But you can also retrieve your car right then, so they're not closed, because they open the gate. They also towed another car in after their "closing hours", so clearly it doesn't mean much. Chances are, if you're looking at them, it's not because you want a good tow company, it's because you got scammed.

I want to say that take full responsibility for my car being towed. However how are you going to tell me you take card and then ask for cash when I get there? I called twice and both times I asked if they take credit card (mastercard) and they said yes. I show up they have a sign saying they take card. But no I waited 30 minutes while the front desk person kept answering the phone for other people all for them to tell me I need to pay in cash.

The dispatcher gaslit us. Initially said 15-20 ETA. The guy never showed up and the dispatcher continued to say he’s close by for almost 2 hours until almost 2am. Terrible service. DO NOT USE THEM. The worst experience I’ve ever had with a tow service.

Absolutely abhorrent service. Stole my visitor’s car. Claimed car with its visitor permit was not registered with the HOA. HOA does not require visitors to be registered. I am taking them to small claims court. Not only this they are liars and extremely unprofessional. Why hire them for anything if they don’t even know the laws. Should not be a business at all.

This company scams customers for every nickel and dime - made up service fees, totaling almost $500. Whether you are a customer or property management company, avoiding using this company to save yourself a headache.

They towed my vehicle illegally. I live in Stylus and sienna apartments, and there’s many reserved parking spaces for people with special needs. I have one of those reserved spots as well, but my car was towed between 10 of other vehicles while none of the reserved spots needs parking permits. They said that I didn’t had any parking permits, while none of the cars with reserved parkings has any permits. They also towed the car without management’s approval. I went to get my car back and the front lady was just repeating “pay or leave” and she was not listening to any of words I was saying. Rude, racist, disrespectful behavior from this people. I hope government will shout it down asap.

No one enjoys getting their car towed, that does not reflect customer service and the business’ professionalism. My car was towed in the middle of the night, I called star tow to confirm it was with them, and the gentleman I spoke with was super helpful and empathetic to my situation. There are reviews here about “scamming” and that was not my experience. He was transparent about the decrease in cost for a different time period that obviously would not positively affect the business to disclose that information. I followed up in the morning to get my car with some issues I was concerned about and the lady I spoke with on the phone was also super helpful and empathetic to my situation. I can only imagine the level of displaced frustration they receive in volumes. Especially for a family owned business, I wanted to make sure they received the positive recognition from my exceptional experience.

Not even a customer of this place but they drove through my parking lot going 20-30 miles an hour. Not cool or safe when I have customers and people walking around my parking lot all day long.

I purchased the 07 yukon xl. Ran fine for the first 2 days then check engine light came on. Took it to my mechanic and said there was something wrong with the lifters and the 5th cylinder. Not worth buying a vehicle from here. Not to mention that the back doors don't unlock unless you manually do it and there are no taillights or brake lights which they failed to disclose.

I rarely write reviews... We acknowledged our mistake of parking in a spot marked green, even though the time limit wasn't specified. We realized we were in the wrong as we stayed at the restaurant for 2 hours (even without specific regulations of time limit). Upon reaching the towing lot, we requested our company car (registered under the company but with our Power of Attorney, or PoA). Surprisingly, the towing office employee refused to accept the PoA document, insisting on a letterhead from a high-ranking company executive and even a photo of their ID. It felt absurd, akin to asking someone like Jeff Bezos to send his ID to release an Amazon vehicle. The next visit to the towing lot went smoother. We presented our documents and PoA to another employee, who promptly released the car without unnecessary demands. However, when we received the towing report, it contained blatant falsehoods. The report claimed we wrongly parked at 7:36 pm, a time when we weren't even at the lot. Our records, including messages and three witnesses, confirm we parked at 8:20 pm in front of a bank equipped with cameras. In California, it's illegal to tow a car within an hour, making their timeline dubious. It seems they concocted a time to justify towing at 9 pm, resulting in a mere 30 minutes of actual parking. Armed with messages, witnesses, and bank cameras, I am determined to rectify this situation. This ordeal cost us $470, and I won't rest until it's resolved.

Scam Artists who damaged my vehicle with proof! I have a signed copy of the condition report from the truck driver and a pic of the wheel they damaged on my car with the fresh damage right out of their tow yard! REZA was very rude, said he would get back right away to follow-up after looking at the damage and saying "yes it is fresh damage". I called him a week after he said he would get back to me and he said "He will deny my claim!" VERY BAD BUSINESS - BEWARE! This will be going to small claims court. I will follow-up with more at a later date.

I COULD NOT CHOOSE ZERO STARS TO POST THIS REVIEW! PLEASE READ!!! Predatory towing at it's worst! In google reviews alone, I feel like their is enough for an investigation and possible class action lawsuit against this company. Just one small example of how they do business....'A California law protects consumers against the worst of illegal towing. Under AB 2210, if you spot a tow truck driver taking your car, and the tow truck is still on private property, the driver must release your car to you unconditionally.' Do you know how they get around this law? They quickly (within 5 minutes) hook up your car and drive away to a seperate location to fill out paper work, so when you come out within minutes of picking up a friend at her apartment, your car is gone, and they don't have to unhook it because you came back to your car. All while, you drive to the company to get your car and wait over 30 minutes for them to arrive with your car because they drove, in their words '2 blocks away to fill out paperwork. Because if you came out the driver would have to unhook the car.' Maybe someone at the apartment complex is getting a kickback? Maybe they are hiding and waiting for opportunity. I think an investigation would show exactly what's going on here.....

This company is garbage! They can to my very expensive apartment complex in the middle of the night, towed my car that was in its designated parking spot illegally! They basically stole my car!!! They said because it didn’t have a permit displayed but I just moved in, and all of the details that I listed about my vehicle were in the system, year, make, model, color and even license plate. I asked them to return the car and they stated that I need to go down there and prove I own my car for them to release it. It’s a freaking comedy show, except it isn’t funny… These guys are thieves! I highly recommend that you don’t use them. I know you are thinking that you will just use them for a different thing but companies like this shouldn’t be in business. If we all stop supporting them they will have to close up shop. Time to send them a clear message, being thieves doesn’t pay!

Mercedes Benz Roadside Asst assigned my car towing to Star Towing. The driver came out and seemed professional enough. I gave him specific instructions as to where to take my car, THE DEALERSHIP. Almost 24 hours later, my car has not arrived at the dealership and Brendon at Star Towing is super unprofessional and rude, giving me the run around as to why my car was taken to the wrong place. First he said the car went to a collision center per insurance. Then he said he has no idea why the car went to the collision center. Brendon seems to not understand what customer service is and finds it hard to be responsible for talking to people honestly over the phone. He even put me on a 12 minute hold! I would never recommend this company to anyone and will complain to MB of North America as well. I have no idea who was in my car or where it was since the driver took it away from my house. WORST TOWING COMPANY.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE! They tack on unexpected fees like an undisclosed gate fee that they never mentioned over the phone when i called to ask how much the charge woud be to pick up my vehicle. I have contacted the Better Business Board to investigate. Plus the staff there are not helpful at all. Arrogant and ignorant,

In 5imrs that we are in and the way people treat one another from the bold way employees at big box stores think they can speak to you to people off the street. The gentleman here that does the car sales is awesome, he understood my situation and didn't freak out or say so eyhing rude when for weeks I planned to purchase a car from him but on day of payday I was garnished, I felt bad because he could of perhaps sold to another client. No, he didn't, he was sympathetic to my situation and offered some assistance in form of working with me on what I did have. In today's day and time, you just don't get that, and it may not be that he does that with everybody but the face he did with me says a lot about their honesty and moral code in the automotive industry. Thank you sir and when I get my monies right I will finish the deal.

Never call this company, you have many other options, they late by 4Hours after waiting two hours. the lady was so rude, she didn’t care, she could text me to let me know they will late but she just didn’t care. do yourself a favor and don’t call them. No reason to call this company - they are unprofessional, rude staff and very very late, supposed to come after 120 min, at 7:00 pm they arrived at 11:24 pm. Mercedes sent me Sky star which was great, fast and very professional.

This place is such a rip off. The are predatory in local condo communities. My husband and i were unloading our truck and we are owners. They snuck in and took our truck while we were taking everything up three flights of stairs. We went to their business as soon as they took it and they wanted to charge almost $400!!??!?!?! They said if we came back in the morning, they would only charge $300. Such a rip off and a scam. These people need to get real jobs.

This is thief’s company I parked my car At 5:10 AM in front of LA fitness and I came back to get my car at 5:30 AM and my car was not there the star Towing company towed it I told them my car was only parked for 20 minutes and I was allowed to park for 30 Minutes. They said you parked northern than one hour 😂 This is blatant theft they charged me 340 for nothing.

This morning their towing truck number 2 was driving west on Tierrasanta blvd then on Balboa Ave. Alternating driving at a racing speed and snail speed. HE was speaking on his phone while driving, his truck running over the center dividing white lane, and then he suddenly went hard on his brakes on Balboa Avenue and went from the left to the right lane (So crossing 3 lanes) without even bothering to see if there was other cars. I still consider it a miracle that the two cars that were behind him managed to escape an accident. With such a reckless driving I will not trust them to even tow a skateboard. I regret that we cannot put 0 star reviews.

Star Towing and its drivers engage in predatory, aggressive, and illegal towing practices that harm consumers, particularly seniors and vulnerable members of the community. These illegal practices violate state and local laws, causing financial harm to consumers. I urge immediate action, including pulling their license and shutting them down, to hold Star Towing accountable for their unethical behavior. Its a numbers game with them relaying on people not challenging or disputing illegal or unwarranted tow's. I have filled complaints with the city attorneys office, SDPD affirmative civil enforcement unit and will be filling with the Bar "Bureau of Automotive Repair" and the BBB "Better Business Bureau" Dispute with my credit card company and lastly, Small Claims court. They need to be stopped and will be stopped of this predatory behavior.

I went to pick up my car today03/17/23 at start towing location at kearny mesa location the worker she was very rude anprofessional screaming for no reason. They towed my car at 1 PM I picked it up at 3 PM. They charge me $340. I don't know if they over charge or not please let me know thank you

THIS COMPANY IS TRASH. TOWED MY CAR DURING HURRICANE HILARY IN A LOW INCOME HOUSING PARKING STRUCTURE. DRIVER SAID TO PICK UP MY CAR AT THE LOT BUT WHEN I ARRIVED WE WERE TOLD THE LOT WAS CLOSED AND WOULD COST 430 TO GET MY CAR DUE TO THEM BEING CLOSED. I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO GET MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS BUT DURING THAT I WAS VERBALLY ASSAULTED BY AN EMPLOYEE. HE CURSED ME OUT LIKE I WAS THE ONE WHO TOWED HIS CAR IN THE RAIN. I WAS TREATED EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL FOR A COMPANY THAT CLAIMS TO BE CUSTOMER SERVICE BASED. WHEN WE ASKED THEM HOW THEY SLEPT AT NIGHT TOWING CARS DURING A TIME LIKE THIS THEY LAUGHED AND SAID THEY SLEPT JUST FINE. COMPLETELY DISGUSTED WITH THOSE PEOPLE.

I'm from out of town. Accidently parked in the wrong space. Got towed. No problem. Called Star Towing, and they said they're open 24 hours, but we have to pick up by midnight. Cool. Quotes $400. Not bad (it happens, and we own our actions).... Then 90 minutes later, while on our way, we called (third call calling, mind you). Mentioned to the really old woman (who WILL talk over you) that we were on our way (6:15 pm). She says, "we only have one guy, and I don't release vehicles. Come on Monday." I explained I live in Arizona and will have four babies under the age 13 who will be homeless tomorrow. We need to leave home. I need my vehicle now for $400, like I was told two hours ago. She didn't care. Not one bit. Maybe they're fine if you call them and can work on THEIR understaffed schedule. But I implore anyone who uses them electively, to consider placing your money with a company that's far more compassionate to children and families and doesn't (literally) yell to not come get my own car while she's in the office. She also refused to say when the one single employee who releases cara will be back. I plan to file with the California Attorney General if she charges me extra days all because, "she won't release vehicles, she has a guy do that for her, and he's on the clock, but busy (LITERALLY)". Give your money to a kind company. A family friendly company. A fully staffed company (they're clearly overworked and hateful about it). Blessings to your families that they dont have to interact with these people 🙏

This place needs a better customer service representative. All I did was call for information on towing and the young girl that answered was rude and not helpful . Until I started giving her the same energy she got mad and hung up on me. Never felt the need to write a review until now. Extremely annoyed.

Damaged my car during tow to the point it was not drivable . Ignored my claim form and half dozen phone calls. When I finally got through to Reza he told me “ he deals with customers like me all the time “ implying I am trying to scam them. The underside of my car was damaged to the point the metal was dragging on the ground and the car was not able to be driven. Don’t deal with with people or businesses like this.

For a towing company, they are decent. Not the normal scandalous rude behavior that virtually all tow companies have.