A-1 Towing & Recovery JunkYard in Alexandria (VA)

Went to Arlington after work tonight to visit a friend for her birthday, arrived at 730 and by 8 our car had been towed by this shady company. We finished dinner and headed home around 9 to find our car gone from its spot but still being charged for the parking. Upon asking security they gave us the number for A-1… and shocker no answer. So our friend drove us over and the lady at the front window of the grossest building in Arlington told us the vehicle was there and there was nothing we could do. So we pay the $180 for the vehicle and she asks for ID and sarcastically tells our friend happy birthday and proceeds to laugh. We go to leave and drive 2.5 hours home but don’t even drive a mile before the vehicle starts thumping, she states we have to call tomorrow. Based on these reviews nothing will happen out of this. The company needs shut down. The staff is rude, vulgar, and quite frankly trashy. Hopefully you never have the dissatisfaction of dealing with them

I was moving to new apartment with my boxes and left my car front of the building 4380 king st Alexandria va 22302 for 5 min i lyft the dolly next my car and they towed in 2 min the time was less than the time existed in the sign for leasing office we have 15 min free

Interactions with towing companies are never pleasant. Unfortunately, the city of Alexandria maintains some very predatory towing contracts with A1 and other companies. That being said the 3-star rating is based on my transaction experience, not my general dislike of predatory businesses terrorizing their local community. My car was towed from an apartment complex which was completely my fault. In my excitement to get out of the car I forgot to pay the ParkMobile fee. The A-1 trucks do regular sweeps to catch cars with expired meters, so don’t expect to get away with that. When I left at 3am and saw that my car was gone I knew I had messed up. Positive: They were open and I called and confirmed that I could pick up my car. Paying to retrieve my car was quick and simple. Negative: the trailer they operate out of is in a very unsafe, poorly lit, not accessible, muddy and unkept location. There was no direction on where to find my car, I was told it was “somewhere in the lot” and I just walked laps in the dark, through the rain and mud, until I finally located it. I was blocked in by another car and called to let the man inside the trailer know. He told me I’d have to wait 5-10 minutes for the tow driver to return with his vehicle to move the car in front of me. I waited 20+ and then called back. The man assured me it would only take another 5-10 minutes. Another 20 min later the driver arrived and was able to let me out. I’m a young woman with a physical disability so trekking around the mud in the dark looking for my vehicle in the early hours of the morning was not appreciated. Waiting nearly an hour in the cold for my car to be unblocked after I already paid was also inappropriate. They should check beforehand, otherwise I would have just gone home and gotten it in the morning.

Unprofessional, They were cursing at us while we tried to get our car. Fuel charges are not listed yet you are charges for them.

A1 is a predatory tow company who damaged the front of my vehicle while Illegally towing it from a paid parking garage. When I asked why I was towed... the 2 people in the front shack of an office told me "someone called". These people stated if anyone calls regardless of fault they will tow. He encouraged me to call on others which is absolutely sick. The guy in front then charged me more than the stated price. I have receipts in addition to photos and plan on taking legal action for the damages and fees associated with the tow. Please seek immediate legal action if you find yourself illegally towed.

ABSOLUTE CRIMINALS. I was visiting a friend at his apartment building for two hours, I parked in an unreserved spot. I came back to no car and no information about who to contact or where to go. After calling all over the DMV area I discovered my car was at A-1 Towing on Vine Street in Alexandria. On the phone I was given the price of 150$. I then spoke with the building management of where my car was towed who convinced the towing company to bring the price down to 120$. Upon my arrival at the A-1 Towing I asked to see my vehicle to ensure no damage was done to it in the towing process. This question prompted the attendant to arbitrarily increase the price to 180$ and to physically threaten me with violence. I need my car for work so I paid the price he was demanding of me. I reported the price gouging to the Fairfax County police department and they told me to file a civil case with the FTC and BBB. The experience was akin to being abused by an organized crime syndicate as I realized I had no protection from such preying. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS FALLEN VICTIM TO THE PREDATORY BEHAVIOR OF A1 TOWING PLEASE CONTACT ME IN THE COMMENTS AS I AM INTERESTED IN STANDING UP FOR EVERYONE’S RIGHTS. I’ve asked an attorney to review Virginia law regarding private property and unfair trading practices in preparation. I AM IN POSSESSION OF A CONSENSUAL AUDIO RECORDING IN WHICH EMPLOYEES OPENLY ADMIT TO PRICE GOUGING. When asked about the fluctuation in price an employee can be heard saying “doesn’t everyone price gouge a little these days” right before cackling with her coworker.

1. Section § 59.1-525. Title and § 59.1-526. Everyone, PLEASE refer to VA's price gouging laws. A1 towing is in total violation of the definitions in the statute (especially if you have paid $180 or more): - How A1 is price gouging: Charging people $180, but then reducing it to $120 if you ask the manager, then if they don't like your attitude, they will increase it to $180 again. Then to $185 when you pull your credit card out to pay. All whilst employing deceptive, intimidating, verbally-abusive techniques. The employees: Large muscle-built guy, along with his two women colleagues were in complete violation of all of this at this location. I do not have the name for him or the ladies as they all refused to give it to me. 2. ⁠ ⁠§ 46.2-118. Prohibited acts by tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators. - Holding vehicles hostage: Refusing to release vehicles until exorbitant fees are paid. This practice was also employed at this location by the 3 employees described in the previous point. 3. Anyone who has paid $180 or more to A1 towing, has been a victim of price gouging and holding vehicles hostage. You should immediately call a lawyer/legal professional to solve this matter. 4. Another additional point (this might of happened to you also): Cars being scratched or damaged due to the lack of professional towing equipment A1 has to conduct their business. Again, this is an illegal practice employed by A1 Towing. This company will not last. The plethora of illegal acts A1 Towing has demonstrated at this location is unprecedented in comparison to other "shady-like" businesses. Other "shady-like" businesses are questionable... But A1 towing has implemented a full-scoped illegal framework that all employees are required to follow. I am utterly shocked at how this company/location has not been shut down by either the FTC and BBB yet.

To call this a “company” is giving too much credit. It’s organized crime. They will come take your vehicle even if there was no sign saying no parking. They will not inform you or anyone else that they have taken your vehicle. You would think that if their primary purpose is to tow, they would at least be able to do it without damaging your vehicle. Wrong. If your vehicle is taken by them, there is a high chance it will be damaged because anyone who “works” here is mentally and morally deficient. The owners have to be paying off someone because there is no way that the City should be giving them a license to operate.

BEWARE! DONT HIRE THIS COMPANY! If I could give -5 stars, I would. They towed our car that had a temporary permit with a clear date on it. When questioned about it, they said it was tempered with. Manager of my building called saying she wrote the paper. They still didn’t release my car. They are desperate for money to the point of conducting a business illegally. The place is horrid, the staff unskilled and rude. It looks like a place from a horror movie Got a police report and will be taking them to court.

**UPDATED REVIEW** They are even bigger monsters than was known, last night they illegally towed a neighbor from my complex. My neighbor saw them loading up his car and attempted to have them stop. The driver after being told he was illegally towing raced off with the car without properly hitching it, leaving behind his two employees who were wandering the lot. After telling them to turn their driver around the two employees got irate and began to yell at my neighbor, refusing to return the vehicle. They proceeded to yell racial slurs at my neighbor. The police were called and while not able to assist as they claimed this was now a civil matter, also openly admitted they had broken the law. Alexandria, Virginia Code 9-13-3 Section D Line 2 clearly states that the towing company is required to drop your vehicle on site if the owner of the vehicle stops them before leaving the property. BBB reports are being filed and hopefully one day they will be dealt with held accountable for not even knowing how to operate their own business. These are awful, predatory people. They build relationships with property management and then abuse their power. They target specific people consistently and cause vehicle damage when they tow. They are also incredibly rude to people who come to collect their vehicles. I genuinely don't know how they sleep at night.

This company last night tow our car from it's 4 years straight reserved parking spot, blaming they did see the decal that was slipped to the ground. A couple of years ago, when someone parked in our reserved space, they arrived after 2 hours from our call, and before taking any action they made sure about the fraudulent parking first. Avoid this robbery company at all cost, and I'm sorry I still have to give them 1 star.

Absolutely pathetic “company” There was damage to the underside of my bumper like they scraped it, the tiny shack of an office they have, you can barely see the workers and they talk to where you can barely hear them. Obviously there’s no liability if you bring up damages that you saw before you drive it off the lot. Their main job is to tow and they say they are not responsible for any damages. Their pathetic job is none other than to rack up money. This place along with if you are a future or current resident of Huntington Gateway Apartments is total trash, do not waste your money or rent at this apartment complex, these two “businesses” steal money off of residents and use each other to help make more money.

my car was towed and was severely damaged during the process unfortunately after numerous attempts of trying to reach out to the so called owner ( ROY ) as I told but one thief companies employee has not responded in regards to my situation. I am absolutely lost’d for words how unprofessional, dishonest and disrespectful these people are to hard working individuals and their properties. I most definitely will be pursuing further charges against this organization indefinitely… unbelievable

If you live in the 4600 duke condos and have no tag your car ends up here. Two stars only bc I’m annoyed bc I have gotten towed here three times in like Six months bc like…yeah clearly I’m insane. But they always have been cool to me and my car is there safe and sound. They answer the phones and all.

I’m still waiting for the Manager to call me. It has been 3 weeks. They broke my front bumper lip on my car. I need reimbursement for the negligence and handling of my property. Luckily my dash cam caught everything on video. Even told the staff there i can show them the video but they acted bewildered or like they did not understand.

This company is criminal, they took my car which was legally parked paid for by an app. I called them several times and sent screenshots but they hanged up on me and were disrespectful multiple times. I'm going to call the police

very nasty people, worst experience ever was blocked in at the Trove and called them to tow a car (because apparently they are the only tow company permitted to tow there) and after calling 3 times over 45 min dispatch tells me that they dont care if it was an hour and hangs up the phone. i call back and we get into a verbal altercation and she started calling me the n word. She threatened me that she had my phone number and address. Very unprofessional. i have been calling asking for a manager and apparently the manger is never in.

Apparently, notifying the complex is called a "courtesy." Their words. A1 is not a fan of courtesy. They let my car sit in their lot for 32 days, accumulating $1600 in additional storage fees for a car that was non operational. Not to mention, the apartment complex is subsidized housing. The people living in this complex need help with rent. They are the last ones in the county that should get screwed over like this. Bonus point for A1 for towing it from a Seabee veteran with Leukemia. ::golf-clap::

Predatory towing company that "serves" landmark area apartments and parking lots. They will damage your car. Protip: Leave a dog in the front seats when parked in a complex and they won’t tow due to liability issues. The more aggressive & loud the better (Rottweiler, Pitbulls)

Very displeased to find my vehicle was illegally towed from my community in a non reserved resident parking spot with a valid parking pass. While the window tint is dark on my vehicle the parking pass is displayed. Extremely predatory company and very disappointed Akelius Property management would partner and support these actions.

Illegally towed my vehicle in the giant parking lot that our apartment building specifically told us was used for overflow parking. The woman working at the front office is the most awful person I've ever had the displeasure of speaking with. I'm pretty sure this woman is the devil. Everything was fishy about this place, doesn't seem legit. BBB should check this place out, tax fraud and scammy stuff going on.

what is the point of company other than to extract money from some of the most unfortunate members of the community. in a more just society, A-1 Towing would have its lot turned into a nice childrens park and its owners would be tried in a federal court

One of the drivers threatened mine and my husbands life.. and we were not able to report it. We were parked for maybe and hour tops and our car was gone. Bad service and horrible people working for the company

They towed my vehicle even though there was a parking pass on the dash. They claim it was upside down and they couldn't read it. The pass had a clear date on it. Wasted my entire day with this, and wasted $180. This shouldn't be legal

What a terrible towing company. I have been calling for 2days to get a vehicle to be towed and each time I've called they tell me 30min and driver have been despatched however, i am still waiting for them and the lady on the phone was very unprofessional and rude. A-1 towing &recovery need to do better!!!!!

Parked my vehicle in an area that had absolutely no towing enforcement whatsoever. Asked front office who to call because I was parked for 7 hours and got towed. Absolutely ridiculous.

These scumbags towed our car even thought we had a written paper in front by our office manager. Possibility of taking them to court. I suggest others do the same. These people do not deserve to be in business.