My 2 1/2 year old daughter accidentally got locked in our running van on an 82 degree day. I called 911, and they told me to call a towing service. They gave me the number of CPR Towing who provides this service for free, specifically in the case of a child locked in the car. I called CPR, left a message and called the next person on my Google list - Spirit. As soon as I got off the phone with Spirit, CPR called back, but I told them someone was on the way already. Big mistake.
Spirit sent someone out quickly - so kudos to them on speed. But the kudos end there because I'm assuming they were racing over to do their 30 seconds of work for an invoice total of $50.
Being quite sticker shocked, I called the main Spirit office, after placing a call to CPR confirming that they do this free of charge. I asked for a price break or something comparable to CPR. He (Glen, I believe is his name) said they always charge for this service. He suggested I submit the invoice to my insurance. Great tip. However, 1) it's $50 out of pocket 2) it's such a huge hassle to deal with insurance companies and 3) it's unconscionable to charge for a child locked in a car on a hot, summer day.
Granted, they need to make money. But aren't there plenty of other opportunities to make that money? And in this day and age of internet reviews and letters to the editor, wouldn't you want to consider keeping up with your kinder-hearted competition? When you've got 911 recommending a competitor, don't you think you might want to reconsider your long standing policy of charging for this?!
Lastly, I'd like to just mention the name/logo issue. The name of the company is Spirit; the logo is a peace dove. Call me crazy, but that leads me to assume this is a Christian company. Gouging a worried family when their child is locked in the car because you can and because you need to make money doesn't justify the invoice. It really goes without saying that this is as far from Christ-like business practice as it gets.
On principal, I would never recommend this company and will never use them again.
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