What clients say about Southside Towing & Recovery in Bemidji (MN)
I brought my pickup to Southside to get a Boss plow installed. I had privately purchased the plow and just needed them to install the mount and wiring which I already had. I was quoted about $700 to do the installation. I brought my pickup and plow there for the work to be done. Note, that I have an aftermarket metal bumper on my pickup. I explained to the guys that they would probably need to cut part of the bumper mounts as it would be in the way of the plow mount. I was told this would not be an issue. It had been a couple days since my scheduled appointment, and I had not heard anything so I had to call them and was told everything was done and I could pick it up.
When I arrived to pick it up, I observed the plow on my truck, but my front bumper was not on. When I went inside Chase told me they tried to get the bumper to fit with the plow but there was absolutely no way it would due to it sticking too far out and the light tower of the plow would hit the bumper not allowing it to properly hook up to the mount. I was then handed a bill for $1800. I was told it was more than the quote because they had to order a different mount than the one I provided as it did not fit. (This was true, but it would have been nice to know before I came to pick it up. A new mount from them cost over $500 and I could have found a used one for much cheaper.) Also the bill was higher due to them needing to order a light adapter kit.
When I arrived back home, I inspected the work that was done. All the wiring was done very well and looked clean. However, there were many other issues with the work that was done. First, I could tell that they did not even try to fit the bumper with the mount/plow because the bumper was not cut to allow for it to fit with the mount. Second, half of the bolts on the mount were not tight. Third, the height of the mount was incorrect causing the plow to not sit even when down. I had also realized that they did not give me back the original mount I brought with. (A $500 part when new)
I fixed all the above issues with minimal issues the same day. The bumper easily fit on the pickup after a small notch was cut out for the plow mount. The next day I returned to the shop with the plow and bumper on to get my other mount they kept. I showed them the bumper did fit with the plow and called them out for not evening attempting to get the bumper to fit with the plow mount. They explained that they thought it wouldn’t fit but never tried.
Overall, I believe all these issues were due to poor attention to detail, laziness, and just trying to rush through the job. I am very disappointed because my work has used Southside to get a lot of work done on our fleet vehicles and I thought they would have done a better job with my personal one. I was hoping to be able to give good recommendations to others to bring southside more business but unfortunately that is not the case.
I should have just installed myself and would have saved $1800.
Absolutely a fantastic experience with my first time there. They were able to take care of and fix the issues that I had with the plow. I would highly recommend them.
Everyone i dealt with was top notch and the service was fantastic. They had a magician at my vehicle in under an hour and had it unlocked in less than a minute.
I had my son's SUV towed there because there were some issues with it.
They said they found a few issues and fixed them.
The total price was $817.
We went to pick it up and pay.
When I got there, the total went up to over $1,000 due to them changing the battery without informing us first and allowing us to either get our own battery or purchase one of theirs.
It left me no choice but to pay over $1,000.
They were nice about it and let me pay the extra battery cost a few weeks later when I got paid because they didn't tell us about the battery until we got there, but it would still have been nice to have a phone call and options before they used their own.
My son hasn't really driven it since we got it back recently - until he followed me to drop my car off there today.
We were on the way home and his car was doing the EXACT same shaking and weird vibration feeling when it was towed.
I paid 1,000+ for WHAT????
I also called them last night to see if I could get my car in for some estimates today and was told they can get me in first thing in the morning if I bring it early. I took it in about 8:30 and it's been sitting there all day.
I went to go pick it up and won't be back here!!!!
Now my son's car has to go somewhere else as well (more money spent) to be fixed correctly and I'll be taking my car elsewhere also.
When letting them know I was coming to get my car - and mentioned my son's car - the guy who answered the phone asked if I could bring my son's SUV back Tuesday because in his words, "We thought it was something else and it clearly wasn't correct!".
I asked if I'd have to pay more for the CORRECT work being done and he said it depends on what it is.
NO!!! You should have found the REAL issues the first time!!!!
Please go to a real shop with real mechanics.
Very efficient service! I was stuck in a ditch early this morning and Joey answered right away. He arrived shortly after and had my car out in a matter of minutes. Thank you for your help, Joey!
Fantastic employee who helped me out tonight!
On my way home from work I hit a snowy ice patch and did circles ask the way to the ditch got stuck. He showed up got me hooked up right away ave started getting me back on the road, caring an checked on me first.
To whoever you are thank you!
They've helped me many of times. Helped me through Oldsmobile with flat tire which required key to remove rims. Helped with F350 that gelled up. Helped resolve muffler noises. Can't even remember all the car repairs they've helped with, very good feeling to have a mechanic you trust and Southside is that for me.
guy on the phone told us it would take an hour for a guy to show up to give us a tow… took him over 3 hours to get here. called and asked for an eta, girl told us 20 mins, took over another hour. absolutely ridiculous. tow guy was also on his phone the whole time giving us a ride. also charged us $50 more than they said on the phone.
I have used this company several times over the last couple of years. They have come through twice when I was really in a pinch. Their promptness and quality of work while being friendly is greatly appreciated!
Pulled me out of the snow on the side of the highway at almost 2 am, Chase was a great guy, got to me quickly, and worked with me as I had forgotten my wallet at home, lil pricey but worth it to get me and the car home.
Ridiculous! The bill for my son’s truck was outrageously ridiculous!! Check that out! Please note. This was a deer hit. Not drivable so pulled off road to a safe location. Hubbard County had it towed with out even calling us! As if that is not maddening enough then we see this bill…line items (towing) winch fee and (towing) accident over and above the mileage they already charged are absolute robbery! Rude service! Don’t call these guys unless you want to pay a bunch of made up fees! 👎
Well below -50 outside vehicle wouldn’t start. Called triple A and was told south side towing would be here by 1214pm. That time came and went, called south side several times and they didn’t answer and hung up on us once. Triple A called them and they didn’t answer for them either. Absolutely unprofessional and not reliable at all.
I do not recommend this company in the slightest pay a little extra for somewhere else to help you with your vehicle issues! Also I’d give zero stars if possible or even negative.
I'm disgusted with their lack of customer service! Extremely rude on the phone and in person. The gentleman that towed my car hooked the chains up to my tie rods and snapped my driver tie rod!! They lack a lot of things!!
Called after hrs was stranded on the side of the road with an oil leak offered to pay whatever he wanted to either bring me oil or come get me and bring me to a hotel so I didn't freeze to death and he hung up the phone on my boss and I just said I'm not a taxi service.
These guys are as helpful as they possibly can be, and strive to put the customer first. The service is great and they even explain what is required over the phone, meaning less trips through town. They even take the time to clean some of your car up if you ask!
I called this morning because my daughter who attends BSU (over 3 hours away from me) hasn’t been able to get her car started. With it being so bitterly cold and her being so far away and as a parent I was stressed and worried. I called Southside towing and they were great!! They assured me they would get to her as soon as they could, they were there within an hour!! They were even able to take my card payment easily, we all know college students are broke. I appreciate how fast they got to her and were able to get her car started. The guy even told her how to make sure it stayed running and was very helpful. I will recommend this company to anyone. Thank you Southside towing for helping my daughter when I am hours away and making this mom a little less stressed!!
Called in the morning for a plow, everything we needed was in stock and a competitive price. We were able to pick it up same day. Kind and helpful staff!
My car needed towing to body shop. Driver came out at 5:30 am because they've been so busy. Now that's good service! I always call SS and always pleased with their customer service and work. Thanks guys.
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