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

Not happy to have been towed, of course, but it was the apartment complex that flagged my car, NOT A-1. The A-1 staff (likely used to being verbally abused all the time) were pleasant over the phone AND also nice in person. They are not "predators," they remove cars (like mine) of owners trying to park for free! Only at the request of the business!

My friend was visiting me at my apartment when A-1 Towing towed his vehicle. However, he was legally parked via the Pango App at my apartment complex but had recently purchased a new vehicle and it defaulted to an old plate number. The make & model was correct...just not the plate number. They charged his $180 for having it for about an hour... I find it totally unacceptable and unethical for their practice and cost. I am unaware if my complex condones this behavior but I will be speaking to them. A-1 towing listed his offense as "Failure to pay meter" when in actuality he did pay! Just an honest mistake of the plate number....

Watch out guys..this “towing” company is very unprofessional. I have a video of there two drivers damaging cars at my apartment complex. They towed my guest car ILLEGALLY. You cannot speak to these people nicely they are very rude people. All they care about is collecting money but when u have video proof and your apartment complex stating you are correct they do not want to hear it. They are running an illegal company. Beware!!! I will be talking to my attorney and taking this the legal way in order to save other people from this ILLEGAL “business”. I never had a problem with other tow companies..this is the WORST “company ever. They are liars.

Not only did I get towed recently and have to pay the STEEP payment of $180. Which was the only recent transaction I had on my credit card. But I also suspiciously found an unauthorized charge on that same card 4 days later. The desk people in the processing shack took my card behind the desk for the transaction the day my car was towed. The person who used my card for an urgent care visit, I hope you don’t feel better.

A-1 TOWING IS THE WORST COMPANY TO EVER EXIST. THEY WILL FIND EXCUSES TO TOW YOUR CAR TO GET QUICK MONEY FROM YOU, EVEN WHEN YOU PAY TO PARK IN THE LOT AND ARE A RESIDENT. THEIR PEOPLE ARE RUDE AND INCONSIDERATE.

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.

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

Predators. Absolute predatory company. Your guys WATCHED my wife and my son take groceries into the building and towed her car while she was taking her groceries in!! DESPICABLE!! This is how you do business? Bullying and preying on struggling families? Whatever gets you paid huh? You should be ashamed of yourselves, but I know you're not. If people park where they're not supposed to that's one thing. But towing a mother's car while she's taking in groceries??? Lowlife behavior. Really filthy work. What was she supposed to do? Carry them across the complex? And you WATCHED HER!!! That's what makes it so bad!! Predators!! Just more cars for you to flip huh? I know the game.🤨 Error

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.

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

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

Was just stuck behind one of their drivers for miles on end, driving 15-25 miles below the posted limit. It was enough to cause traffic delays and hazardous conditions. I had to give one star to leave a review but I can guarantee that this company will never get a dollar out of me

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

Just watched them damage a vehicle in Falls Church parked in a parking lot by moving it sideways via their fork and saw the back right wheel pop out, perhaps by the speed at which he yanked it out of its spot. He then proceeded to drive away without even securing the vehicle to his truck — a pull behind tow. Reported to Virginia State Police & Arlington County Police w/video.

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.

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.

**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 and 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.

worst company ever and they’re completely rude and bad services and had audacity to call me on my name and all they want is money.

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

Towed my car and made a big dent. The front desk let me fill up a form and I NEVER have anything hearing back from them. Phone call never solve my questions. You are in trouble if you are targeted by them.

These guys are legitimately criminals, had my car towed from a hotel by these guys when I was legally parked with a parking pass... Cost me $215 to get my car back and there's nothing I can reasonably do to fight it since I live hours away, these guys should be put in prison for casually stealing people's cars and money

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::

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.

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.

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.