Ernie's Towing is an absolute nightmare. They towed my car while I was parked with my hazards on for a few minutes at the townhouses, dropping off a meal to a grieving friend who had just lost a loved one. When I went to retrieve my car, I had to spend money I had set aside for groceries just to get it back so I could make it to work. To make matters worse, my car had noticeable scratches and damage caused during the towing. When I brought it up, they were rude and completely dismissive. Their actions are predatory and deceitful, preying on people in vulnerable situations. Avoid them at all costs. read more

Despite all the terrible 1 star reviews for people parked illegally and blaming the business for doing their job, Ernies was amazing. We had an issue with our truck on the highway and the woman on the phone told us an hour someone would be out but will try to get someone asap. Within 3 MINUTES off the phone one of the guys Chris showed up to tow us. Great service. read more

Awful. No AAA coverage, ridiculously expensive. The tow truck driver was rude, took advantage of our situation, and wouldn't even offer a ride to both me and my partner (homophobic much?). Not to mention wanting to charge us fees left and right for every little thing; we couldn't even get it towed to their "shop" for an overnight storage without extra fees! Way to take advantage of people in need with no other options. These people are predators and scammers. If I never do business with these guys again it'll be too soon read more

Have had awful experiences with Ernie's. Nothing but bad things to say about the company, workers, and managers. 1. Townhouses sent out a notice stating it was okay to park in any spot without a permit up until the 8th of August at noon. Ernie's proceeded to tow the cars at midnight on the night of the 7th. I had a parking sticker and they moved my car to get at another car that didn't have a sticker. They damaged my car and when I asked them about it they said "it could have been anyone" but when I took it in to Amherst motors they said the damage had been done by towing bolts hooked in wrong. 2. During Easter break when everyone was gone from the townhouses they towed my roommates mothers car from an empty lot. Oh yeah and it was on Easter Sunday. 3. Christmas break today January 3 they towed a friends car at 10:30 at night when she had parked in visitors parking. They said she wasn't in visitors parking and showed a botched picture as evidence and called us liars. The lot was empty because everyone is on break and there were 9 empty visitors spots. She parked in one of those visitor spots specifically because I told her she would get towed otherwise and they have the nerve to tow her anyways and then call us liars. We had photo evidence because I trust Ernie's about as far as I can throw a tow truck. Honesty the worst people and company I have ever come across what leeches. Fuck Earnie's. read more

Ernie's Towing - Towing Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

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Only place that has towed a vehicle for me and item's inside the vehicle were stolen. Someone over there must smell real good with that Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue for him along with the other things they stole. read more

Awful people, scam business. I pity those that have had to interact with these fools. Predatory towing company, just really bottom of the barrel people with no class or honor. Towed my car after being parked at the Townehouses in Amherst for no mlre than 20 minutes. Read the rest of the reviews, truly awful people. Predatory "business", hope they can sleep easy at night. read more

I don't know if there are regulations on the price of towing a car, but their price is definitely not normal. They just set a price to let people pay to get their car and earn the dirty money. My friends come to my apartment for the night and i give him the guest permit, unfortunately he parked at the wrong spot so the car got towed. Well that's our fault. But these people charged us 180 dollars for towing a car for less than a mile. This is unfair and i'll find some people to dig into this. What you are doing is just disgusting read more

This business is notorious for scouting out cars parked to be towed. I would not be surprised if UMass, the surrounding apartment complexes around Amherst, MA, and the town have contracts with them which give them free range on towing. I was unfortunately the victim of wrongful towing, during a rainy fall night at around 9:15pm. I parked in the Visitor's section of the Town House parking clearly behind the green line that separates permit parking and visitor parking. My friend and I verified 3 times to make sure. The next morning, my car was missing from the spot and when I called them they hadn't even registered it into the system so they could not even find it! How unprofessional. Even though once I went to the towing lot, they told me they towed my car at ~9:30pm, a mere 15 minutes from when I left my car. The woman at the cash register was disinterested and difficult to interact with. She pulled up the record of the towing incident and called the guy so, it was my word against the driver's. He illegally towed my car and I was slapped with a $150+ charge to retrieve my car. There's a confusing sign that also shows the rates, and the overnight/additional day fees did not seem to add up. Another huge inconvenience is they ONLY accept EXACT CASH. So I had to hunt down an ATM and then pay for them. I'm sure others have tried and failed to argue this. Also the previous 5 star reviews are deceptive. Take a look at the ones for the Northampton establishment owned by the same corrupt misers. It will give you more color about how dishonest this business is. Park at your own risk... Don't expect any protection from Ernie's Tow-happy henchmen. read more

I had a great experience with Ernie's Towing. I called AAA to tow my dead electric car to the dealer - I didn't think all-electric cars could be jumped. Zach from Ernie's Towing showed up and told me that it may just need a jump. Voila - he was right and saved me tons of money and hassle. He was super nice and patient and showed me how to jump it in case it happened again. He also answered a bunch of questions that I had. I was not charged anything. read more

Rachel who works here is extremely rude and hostile. She yelled at me for not signing the pad correctly when i was paying for the towing. And when i told her she should improve her customer service skills she screamed loudly at me that her "customer skills are fine". The treatment customers get is pathetic and unacceptable. If i am ever in trouble with my car and need help i will make sure to NOT give this place my business. I wish I could give this place zero stars. read more

Had a problem the other day car died off the freeway. Called AAA they were there in 30 minutes. They were super helpful getting my car dropped off in my awkward driveway and placed it perfect. Not sure the name of the driver but he was very good. read more

My daughters car was towed from the townhouses in Amherst. They must have been perched there just waiting as my daughter walked an intoxicated friend to her house and within 10 min her car was hooked up to the tow truck. She did illegally park in a handicapped spot with the car running, so lesson learned). The kicker is that the driver didn't give her any contact information how to get her car OR give her keys back to her so she had NO way of getting into her own house. Since I was 2.5 hrs away, I instructed my daughter to call the police. They were no help (not sure what I was expecting them to do, but they did give her the name of the company that it was likely to be. I called and was told she could pick it up the following day for $200 with written consent from me (the owner). I told them that they left my child stranded without a ride and with her keys. Thankfully, they allowed her to pick it up that nigh and charged her $150. Horrible and scary situation for both me and my child. They are definitely taking advantage of the students there and making bank. read more

My car was towed by Ernie's rightfully as I wasn't supposed to be parked where I was. The issue was that when I called to get by car back Ernie told me "it hadn't been uploaded into the database yet and I would have to wait for a call back." Towing companies suck anyway but he was clearly trying to trick me into a leaving the car longer, therefor hiking up the cost. I ended up going to the garage and got my car back for $194!!!! It had only been 5hrs since it was towed and that was the price which was $108 plus $86 additional charges! These guys suck! read more

They are ruthless, uncaring and insidious. College students have so much to worry about aside from these villains rolling around in their tow trucks searching for their next payday. Not only do they tow cars, but they overcharge after the fact. When they tow a car from the townhouses, less than a mile away, they have the audacity to charge $190. It is ridiculous and something HAS to be done about this... I am sure they will laugh at this review because they know they are pieces of rotting trash but will still get away with their moneygrabbing anyways. read more

I have used Ernie's towing before because of their contract with AAA and did not have any negative experiences. However earlier this week my mother and I were in a car accident and had to leave by ambulance to the local ER. Because of this our car had to be towed. We had already been told by the local FD that our car was safe to drive. There was only cosmetic damage. When we were ready to be discharged from the ER (not too late only about 7pm) I contacted Ernies expecting to be able to go there and pick up our car because we had groceries in it as well as medicine I needed. I explained to the woman who answered the phone that it had been towed because we went to the ER and the car was driveable. She was very rude and not very helpful. She insisted the car was only allowed to be TOWED off of the lot and we could not come to get our belongings because the office was closed. When I tried to get more information (been in accidents before and this was the first time hearing something like this) she was very short and just stated I had to call my insurance company and hung up. So because of this not only did we not have our car but also our perishable groceries expired and I was without my medication (pain medication for kidney stones)! When we arrived there the following day (after we had already spoken to our insurance company) the woman who greeted us at the window was again rude and short. The attitued matched the woman from the phone the previous evening but I could not be sure. We told her we were there to get into our car (insurance company told us they could not deny us entry 24/7 because it is OUR property) and retrieve stuff as well as sign a release for another company to tow. She became very short and said not to do that until we take pictures. I told her it was OUR insurance company arranging the tow and it was alright. Not sure if she was rude because we weren't going to use them for the tow off of the lot? I am hoping to never have to use Ernies again at least to have my car towed to one of their sites. Very very poor customer service from the person answering the phone after business hours as well as behind the desk at the Amherst location! Very disappointed and angry at the inconviences (and pain)! read more

A total scam and just awful people. I just came to Amherst three months ago and I bought my first car this Saturday (because I'm a student and I have classes on weekdays while the car dealer is in CT). When I drove back to Brandywine apartments it was already 8:00 pm. There is no way for me to get a parking permit at 8:00 pm Saturday and it's written in the lease that resident car should not be parked at the visitor's parking area. Therefore I parked at the resident parking area. There were clear signs on my car saying this is a new bought car (a "sold" tag on the front mirror and a temporary plate on the back mirror saying this car is in transit). And not surprisingly, when I weak up on Sunday, I couldn't find my car. When I called them, the woman even refuse to clearly tell me where their address is. Come on I am not familiar with this town because I just came here and they just said "We're just around the corner you should be able to find us". It is so obvious that I just got my car and haven't been able to get a parking permit. And still they just towed my car for the pathetic $160+ while there were plenty of empty parking space. What should I do huh? Gave my money to the car dealer and then take the bus home? Thank you for ruining my Sunday! read more

They are tight with Cliffside Apartments in Sunderland. Together these corporate heroes are making 1000's every snow storm towing people (In their minds just lowly college kids) who live here and aren't obscuring anything. NICE WORK GUYS! read more

Great drivers, 90% professional work, deplorable customer service. Standard tow (requested/paid for upfront); car was delivered to the wrong address. Rather than addressing the issue, they treated every subsequent customer interaction like an inconvenience. They hang up the phone every time you try to call; in person, the females in the office are comically unprofessional and rude. They'll tell you anything to get you out of their office. Feels like a sitcom, there has to be hidden cameras. Ernie's treat their customers like criminals and run their office like an adolescent zoo - great all around experience. If you have time and money to spare, they'll waste it for you. read more

the customer service at this place is awful. I waited two hours for a tow and they never showed up. accused me of not picking up the phone and saying they couldn't help me because apparently the line was going to dial. I insisted on asking for the number they were provided with and she refused to give me the number and told me they could not locate me when I said very clearly where I was (it was not difficult at all, literally the parking lot of a target). I have customer service experience and am VERY patient with customer service representatives, however, she immediately came off disrespectful and all of this resulted in me leaving the zip car at the lot and paying for an uber back to where I live and the zipper company told me it was completely okay to do so. AWFUL tow company, call anywhere else if you can or you will get awfully treated. I wish I had the option to give 0 stars. read more

Private Tow Company Complaint Information Telecommunications & Energy Department regulates all tow companies in the state of Massachusetts. (617)-305-3559 This state office will handle any disputes relative to a vehicle wrongfully towed in Massachusetts. This state office can explain the trespass laws for vehicles and necessary signage required for tow companies. A police Incident Report is not necessary. The Telecommunications & Energy Department must receive all documentation relative to complaints in writing." Scouting my car in my own parking lot towed at 401-am hooked up early.. Wicked rude wouldnt answer the phone or door. Then finally found someone and left on hold for 3 times over 40 minutes... Will be hoping my landlord will switch.. Contractors... I was out at 403-called at 406 callled APD @408 after no one aswered.. Waited while employees hid inside office.. Completly unprofessional.. Pushes peoples buttons so they can be rude, and argue and upset customer. Even scratched,my car right side,and right side rim. But cant prove it of course.. read more

So incredibly disappointed and infuriated with this business it's almost unbelievable. My amazingly kind father just spent the day helping me move back to my apartment in Amherst from where we live in central Maine. We spent 5 and a half hours in the car today so obviously he was not driving back tonight. And within 2 hours of being parked at the townhouses, they tow his car away from the lot! It's winter break and there are barely ANY cars here to begin with. And it's going to cost $143.00 to get a car that was towed from a lot it was in for less than two hours to a location that is less than a mile away! Absolute scum! read more

One giant scam that finds student cars at umass and tows them when they have been parked somewhere for 10 minutes and was getting a parking pass. Rude and disrespectful employees. Wouldn't recommend unless you enjoy being disrespected and treated poorly. read more

Steer clear of these insidious crooks! What a scam operation they have going. After our daughter's car was involved in a Hadley accident, apparently, the police called this scheister outfit to tow the car (hmmm, if I didn't know better - I'd think they were in kahoots!!!!), despite us having AAA. Because it was Christmas Eve, we couldn't do anything until Dec 26, on which day I was told that no, I couldn't get the car on Sat Dec 27. Turns out I could, in fact, have got it on that day. Result? They fleeced even more $$$ (at $35/day) out of me (total $285). The "people" that were behind the counter were unhelpful, uncaring and a sorry, pathetic lot. Oh, of course, they only take "cash" -- which doesn't surprise me - trailer trash like them only ever deal in cash. I truly hope this business goes under. Fast. read more

The folks from Ernie's were prompt, kind and efficient. They took my car from the scene of a collision, and handled themselves in a courteous and professional manner. Every interaction with them was smooth and they made a difficult time easier to bear. read more

They tow whatever cars they want! Some cars were towed while some were not though these cars had all been parking in the same section and they absolutely were not supposed to be towed. People work for Ernie's Towing are ridiculously rude and they charge people for absurd price. Hope your guys' mothers would teach you how to respect others again. Now that you robbed money from us, you can pay your tuition with the money for basic education again before going back to work. read more

I drained my 3-year old car battery and was unable to jump start it the usual way. I expected to have it towed, but Ernie's was able to start it in seconds with a stand-alone device for $55. Arrived quickly with great communication. Saved me $100+ in towing charges. read more

These guys towed my car from my own parking lot. I had come home late at 6 am, and my parking lot was very full of people that do not live in the houses that share it. I, not wanting to wake anyone, and knowing I'd be leaving in 3 hours for work, parked my car in the only spot left, a spot in the middle that said "Do not park, Tow Zone". What choice did I have? Plus, I'd be gone first thing in the morning. I came out 3 hours later and my car had been towed from my own house parking lot. I went the next day to get my car back, and was charged 128 dollars, I asked to speak to the manager. Manager wasnt there. They said I could come back and talk to him tomrrow, but they would charge me more for keeping the car there overnight. I paid, and was told the manager would call me. He did not. For those saying i should have parked somewhere else, I couldnt park on campus (UMass rules during Blarney), and I was not about to wake up a bunch of guys I didnt know at 6 am in the morning on a Sunday when I woudl be there for only 3 hours. The ernies truck driver saw my car as money. He didnt stop to think that maybe the person had no where else to park. Even when I told them it was my house, tough shit kid is what i got. read more

My car was towed to Ernies Towing in North Amherst last week after being stolen in Amherst and then found by APD. I can't say enough good things about the woman that handled my situation when I showed up on Saturday morning at Ernies. I was very impressed! read more

This is the first time I've taken the time to write a review for anyone or anything, but I just had to for Ryan! He is so knowledgeable on mechanics and car issues and saved the day! He arrived within 10 minutes after I called Ernies Towing and had a great positive attitude. I really was impressed with his knowledge and friendliness and positive attitude. Thank you for your quick and awesome help!! read more

Recently had my rear control arm detach and had to have it towed home, and then a few days later to the dealership. Called Ernie's both times as they were recommended to me by the gentleman working at Amherst Tire. Required a flatbed truck. Employee came on time the first call and the second employee was able to come earlier than expected. The second employee offered me good advice about AAA and its ability to save me money on future tows. Loaded the car quickly and paying with card was simple. I would recommend them to anyone in the Amherst area that needs something towed. Honestly not sure how much tows usually cost but: First tow, 2 miles, flatbed, Hyundai Sonata, $80. Second tow, 15 miles, flatbed, Hyundai Sonata, $135. read more

There were sheets of ice outside. I had a flat tired in my driveaway. Due to a medical condition I temporarily couldn't drive, and my roommate was at work. Where everyone else refused to come out due to me not having a license or it just being too much Ernie's was there very quickly (less than 30 minutes!), were very courteous, and priced everything very fairly. They made an otherwise terrible experience much, much better. read more

Arrived sooner than AAA projected, driver was courteous, friendly and conversational on the 30 min tow home. He also had on awful head cold and still provided good service. read more

I am extremely satisfied with the service I received. The gentleman who towed my vehicle was very nice and knowledgeable, the towe arrived within minutes after I had originally called in for service. Prior to leaving with the vehicle he reviewed a few things with me; I appreciated it very much because no one likes surprises. Thank you very much Sunny for your help!! read more

Oh my god! What a rip off. $90.00 hook up fee!? Are you kidding?! Plus $30.00 storage fee per day. I'll never use these guys!!!

If I could give this a zero review I would do that. These people are running a sleazy operation in league with the campus police. After a motorcycle accident near the grad research center, I was knocked out and taken to the hospital for a few days. When I got back, there was no contact at all who took my motorcycle; I had to call the Amherst Police to find Ernie's Towing did this. I called them and was informed they charged me over $300 for towing and $65 a day for storage, that they would not let me take it away unless it was arranged with my Progressive Motorcycle Insurance. The bill is now over $800. By Massachusetts law, involuntary towing cannot be over $90 and storage cannot be over $35, so these are grossly inflated charges. They wanted cash only, so they are doing something illegal here. I've reported them to the Better Business Bureau and I think they should be investigated. After doing some research, I discovered this is not uncommon; they pick up student cars in the wrong places and charge exhorbitantly. read more

Ernies absolutely exploits and takes advantage of college students. This operation is a cash grab. They could care less about anything but money. They contract with local townhouse and apartment complexes around campus that have ample room for parking, create beyond minimal visitor parking spots for over hundreds of townhouses/apartments while there is a sea of open parking spaces and drive around constantly to tow anyone who's been there for 10 seconds or more. God forbid you ever have someone who needs to come over, or family visiting etc for even the shortest of time. They don't care if your battery is dead, if it's an emergency, or if grandma is stopping by for one sec to give you homemade cookies. They'll tow her 85 Buick to make a quick buck before she can hobble back out to the car. Sounds funny but it's not a joke. Thanks Ernies for making college an even more ridiculously expensive experience. read more