Liberty St Towing & Recovery in
Harrisonburg (VA)

I have never encountered such horrible customer service or such a lack of basic human decency. Two of my friends’ cars were towed within three days, and the treatment they experienced was unbelievable—especially coming from the owner himself. When my friend tried to calmly explain that she had just been in a car accident, was driving a rental, and couldn’t reach the leasing office for a temporary pass, he literally laughed. He didn’t show an ounce of empathy. Instead of saying something as simple as “I’m sorry to hear that, but unfortunately we can’t make exceptions,” he raised his voice, mocked the situation, and repeated “rules are rules” while she was visibly hysterical. The level of condescension and disrespect was shocking. This is not how a business owner—or any human being—should behave. Even if nothing could be done differently, the absolute lack of professionalism and compassion was unacceptable.

Try to get a hold of this company and they say they have a 24 hour service. When you get routed to that number it rings and then a message comes on saying, "sorry, the mailbox is full". How is that 24 hour service?

They just tow any vehicle they told to . No questions asked . Crazy part is that you can come and get any car you want for A fee they will give it to you without checking any info even if it’s not yours. I

Towed my car out of visitors parking lot. They tow a car then say they were told to do so … seriously?? So anyone can call you and tell you to tow any car ?

horrible service, the desk guy is very rude including all the workers. Is also extremely overpriced.

if you get towed make sure you get towed by JL towing it's unfortunate but they have dogs you can pet and give a free coffee ticket I took an L but a wink is a win

My insurance company called this towing company on my behalf. We were stuck at a rest stop outside Harrisonburg when we were informed the company had dispatched someone for us. Even with poor directions on my part, the owners son was able to find us and pick us up within an hour of being contacted. He was very courteous, helpful, and careful with my vehicle. Truly a godsend.

Worst establishment probably ever I had my parking fall off my rear view mirror and fall on my dash. Still got towed and charged 200 dollars this place scams college students for a living. They must feel great about them selves

I really don’t appreciate that online. It says they are open until 2 PM on the weekends and when I tried to call multiple times before two nobody answered the phone and when I showed up was a few minutes before close and seemed like nobody had been there for a long time I do recognize that I was trying to show up before close, but it really did seem like no one had been there for a while so I had to pay $300 instead of the regular amount.

Pricing is outrageous and I agree with the rest of the reviews. When calling on the phone to ask if the car was at the lot we were greeted by a very unprofessional and unpleasant response. The snarky attitude of the lady answering the phone alone is enough reason to never use this place for any of your towing needs. I also guess the people who work here are just stupid because I had been parking in the same spot every time I stay at the apartment where they towed from and they just now towed it. How do you miss it for two week periods multiple times a year? Maybe they should hire some competent people so they wouldn’t have such a low rating.

PROFESSIONAL SCAMMERS…. No pay station in the parking lot they claimed I couldn’t park in without paying. Then they claim there is someone at the tow building to help you get the car back… waited 45 min in 20 degree weather for these liars.. karma will get your whole company..

First off I give the young lady that I dealt with five stars. She was courteous kind and understanding. She allowed me to retrieve my wallet.Which unfortunately was in my repossessed car. I don't recall her name but great person nonetheless. As for the company itself I give them not even a quarter of a star. Like alot of other families we were hit hard by the pandemic and we applied for assistance with our rent during that time and were approved. Then all of sudden in April we get taken to court and listened to landlords attorney tell court that he had not received any rent for two years. Court case is ongoing. On September 5 2024 we received papers saying to be out of house we'd lived in for 7 years by September10 2024 September 11 2024 we were forced to leave and since it was just three of us trying to get everything out we just fell short. We got a hotel room and after being up for most of four days trying to save our things. I crashed hard. On September 12 2024. My car vanished. I knew I was late on payment and needed to get caught up. I talked to finance company and worked things out with them. When I called this tow company. What I was told it would cost me to get car from them I couldn't believe what I was hearing. First it was some $90 fee then it was $40 a day for my car to just sit inside of a fenced lot. So by the time I was able to find out who actually had my car and obtain information that I could get it back from finance company and because of how our paydays fell. So with all the fees and stuff finance company wanted it was just over$1000 and now 15 days since repo it's over $600 just for my car to sit in a fenced lot. My issue is that your company came onto the motel property and took my car not even 24 hours after I rented a room. So I'd like to know how that happens if your company isn't using illegal means to take people's vehicles? The room I was given was in very back of motel property. So it's not even possible to have seen from road. Motel had no reason to call it in to be towed. So how is it possible in under 24 hours and after business hours I might add you just happen upon my car? Without just flat out trolling parking lots. Since you say you're open on Saturdays. I need to come get my personal property out of car, because I can't afford Over $1000 to finance company.Over $500 to motel, and over $600 to a tow company as well. So I want my stuff out of what used to be my car. 2019 Kia optima. Thanks so much for your help

NEVER Give this place your money, They illegally towed my car because their drivers are too stupid to see my parking pass in my front windshield, Their reasoning for towing my car and making me miss class Was because the past was not Visible when you can clearly see a big blue sticker in my car! The workers gave me attitude and Commenting “life isn’t fair” And laughing about the matter. Just read reviews on this place they’re all the same. Being insanely petty about VISIBLE parking passes and ripping off college students basically for the fun of it. I’m surprised a business like this can’t even stay afloat,I hope this place goes out of business or gets sued.

They illegally towed my son’s car from his apartment complex which led to him missing class. The decal is clearly visible as pictured below but the company believes this doesn’t suffice. They charged him $200. They also screened my phone calls because they didn’t like what I had to say about their unethical nature. Please do not ever use this company for any of your personal or business needs you will be extremely disappointed and disgusted by the humans that run this place.

My car was towed by JL Towing yesterday morning at 2:50am from MY own apartment complex because they claimed I had an “expired pass”. The pass was very much valid (imaged below AT the impound lot) but they continued insisting it’s expired and I owe them $180 cash or $200 card when they can’t read a date or see colors. I had to call my apartment management to deal with it because they were being jerks. Then suddenly, yeah, the pass IS valid you can come get your car and we won’t charge you, so you’re welcome. Really?? They wouldn’t even tow it back or get me a ride there even though this was THEIR mess up (bc we “can’t take the liability” then “we don’t have someone right now to do that”). Not even a sorry was given for this huge inconvenience!! Also real interesting how they are towing between 7pm and 8am so they don’t have to follow the $150 rule and charge $30 more (predatory behavior). Do better.

Incompetent company here. Towed my vehicle from my parking lot for no parking pass. Yet it was there in a highly visible area with no obstructions. Was told it was an accident.

Charges more than the VA state MAXIMUM to get back a car that is properly tagged with guest parking passes, in areas that are not marked residential. Then proceeds to tell the owner of the vehicle that there is no record of their vehicle being towed until the owner questions whether or not their property was stolen to which the company hangs up on the owner :)

Im going to post a quick paste of state laws and continue my review beyond them. § 46.2-1233.1. Limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles. A. Unless different limits are established by ordinance of the local governing body pursuant to § 46.2-1233, as to vehicles towed or removed from private property, no charges imposed for the towing, storage, and safekeeping of any passenger car removed, towed, or stored without the consent of its owner shall be in excess of the maximum charges provided for in this section. No hookup and initial towing fee of any passenger car shall exceed $150. For towing a vehicle between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, an additional fee of no more than $30 per instance may be charged; however, in no event shall more than two such fees be charged for towing any such vehicle. No charge shall be made for storage and safekeeping for a period of 24 hours or less. Except for fees or charges imposed by this section or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, no other fees or charges shall be imposed during the first 24-hour period. C. (Expires July 1, 2024) In addition to the fees authorized pursuant to this section, towing and recovery operators are authorized to charge a fuel surcharge fee of no more than $20 for each vehicle towed or removed from private property without the consent of its owner. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no local governing body shall limit or prohibit the fee authorized pursuant to this subsection. So reading through these laws and linked laws, the maximum towing assuming they hit me with all the charges should be $200. I was charged over $250. The car was there less than 24 hours so no storage fees should be placed.

Running a business that tows cars that are parked illegally is a legitimate business that someone must operate. Poaching cars that will are parked for emergency situations is unethical at best. Once the car is hooked up, threatening to drive off every time the owner asks a question is extortion. Not to mention, according to Virginia Law 46.2-1231, 1st Choice Towing must give the opportunity for the owner to leave the space before the car is towed and cannot charge more than $25 (we were charged $60. All we had in hand was cash. I'm assuming the truck drivers keep this. this is nothing more than robbery at gunpoint) to drop the car. The $$$ charged is upsetting, but somewhat understandable... Holding someone hostage at their vehicle is extortion.

I am not sure how the town of Harrisonburg allows such unethical and predatory company to operate. One of biggest scams I’ve even seen and that prays on visitors. Not only is their towing a scam they are breaking the law by over charging. Virginia law states they cannot charge more than $150 for towing. We were charge $180 and we had paid the meter. In addition, there were four people waiting from the same lot (with similar stories) and two addition people pulled up as we were leaving. The City needs to do something, every people waiting was from out of town. Needless stay we will not be back to Harrisonburg.

I was very happy with the service of this company and the customer service Personnel who let me take a look at my motorcycle that was wrecked was very cooperative and kind and I would highly suggest them.

My boyfriends car was in Winchester and we needed to get it towed back to Harrisonburg (It was 5-speed and I don’t know how to drive them). The driver was quick to answer the call in the middle of the night and tow it back to our house. You can tell the employees have dealt with a lot of situations because they were able to help me figure out the best option and price for what I needed! I can’t thank the worker enough for what he did for us that night but I figured I’d leave a great review for the company to show my appreciation!

Wish I could rate less than 1 star. My daughter forgot to put her parking pass in the window, sorry, that will be 175.00 for a 5 mile tow. Cha-ching! She was authorized to be there it looks like an exception could be made and priced as a normal tow, but no they want that money!! Unbelievable!! They will make a mistake one day and maybe need a break in life... That is the fanciest, nicest tow shop I have ever walked in, financed how I wonder?? From predatory pricing!! They have unruly dogs in the office which smell you up and down all over. Very unprofessional.

If you're looking for automotive professionals that will always maintain your best interest above their profit, then look no further. I've returned three times for repairs on my truck, and time and time again I am extremely well taken care of and leaving with a better vehicle. Their service department is the best I've seen in the 4 states I've lived in. They truly embody what it means to take care of customers first. Never have I felt so welcome and appreciated in an automotive center than in J L Towing & Automotive.

My car would not start so I had it towed to JL towing and automotive.The mechanic Mike gave me an estimate saying it would be $400 for a new fuel pump module, plus labor and towing would equal $720. He then gave me a student discount which lowered the price a little bit. I went to the part store and asked for this "$400 dollar" fuel pump module found it only costs $170. When I called the shop and asked if I could bring in the part from the store they told me that there is no way to get the part for that cheap and it must be the wrong part. When I insisted on bringing the part so they could determine if it was the correct part they all of a sudden lowered the total price to $400. I ended up bringing the part in anyway and it was the correct part. In the end I only paid them $200 for labor and towing but I was very unhappy that they initially tried to rip me off and charge me over twice what the part was actually worth. It was clear that they were lying to me when they said I cannot get the part for that cheap because when I called their bluff and said I'll bring it in they all of a sudden lowered the price to hide their lie. It also made me angry that they drastically over charged me and then tried to hide it by giving me a small "student discount" to make them seem generous. I definitely will be taking my car somewhere more honest for future repairs.

They towed my car from the mill at midnight while I was parked in guest parking then had the audacity to charge me $125 to pick it up. I understand that this is primarily the Mill's fault but charging $125 to pick up my car is utter robbery. Staff was rude and uncaring. Worst costumer service. $125 for absolutely nothing. Complete robbery!! They should be reported to the BBB for charging such outrageous prices.

Fabulous Company. Our business donated a Cargo Van to MTC and asked them to tow it for us. We had every intention of paying for the tow and then received a call from Rusty saying that since we were donating the van, they would like to donate the cost of the towing as well!!! They didn't have to do this and I only mentioned in passing that we were donating it, never asked for a discount not to mention a donation....Class Act! Thank you:)