My family and I were coming back from vacation when our truck died. We had asked several people at the gas station where we'd stopped for a jump (we had our own cables), but everyone was in a hurry, or had to use the restroom. I saw a tow truck driver and figured he'd be a good person to ask for help. He explained that he was unable to do it, but that his shop was less than a mile up the road (a block, actually), and he would call to have someone come over and help us. That was all that was said. About 15 minutes later another tow truck pulled up, the man connected our cables to his truck, and jumped our battery. He asked what happened, and then how we were going to pay for the jump. I told him that there was no mention of a charge, and his reply was ""what? Do you think we come out for free?"" I explained that our truck had broken down previously while we were on vacation, and that we had already spent $800 on repairs, and really didn't have $45 to pay for a jump. He called and spoke to a supervisor, and said that we had to pay regardless. I told him I only had money for gas to make it home, and he said he would have to then call the police. Not wanting to get law inforcement involved and cause a public scene, I paid the money, and barely made it home. After I paid him, he proceeded to tell us that the next time something like that happens, that we should call the police, and they would help us. I understand that he doesn't work for free. But the shop was a block away. And I understand that sometimes they have to use their tools or materials. But we had our own cables. I feel we were really taken advantage of, and that there could have been a better resolution. If we were going to be charged, we should have been told up front, not led to believe it was out of common curteousy. Needless to say, I will be sending a copy of this to their office, as well as the Better Business Bureau.
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