Here are all the facts of my horrible experience with the Parkway Express station in Lorton, VA
TLDR; I was told by an employe I could park my trailer with a flat tire in their lot, only to come back by the time I said I would return and they towed it. Ron Mason (Manager) said the owner had it towed and he could do whatever he wanted and that if I kept complaining he would call the tow company and have them charge me more. I had to pay $80 to Dominion Towing to get my trailer back.
On 7/16/19 at 1 am, I rolled into the station with a flat tire on my trailer (8x12 single axle enclosed trailer). I was coming back to DC and got my first flat tire an hour into my trip. I put on my spare tire, and the spare tire failed 3 hours later. I went inside to speak with an employee (Jason). I explained that I had a flat on my trailer and no spare. I asked if I could drop my trailer in a parking space. He said they also owned the parking lot next door and I could leave it in the front row. Needless to say, I was more than thankful for this! I said let me leave you my contact info; he said: "Ohh, that's a good idea." he gave me some receipt paper, and I left my full name, contact number, description of my issue and trailer, and return time (noon). I handed it to him, said thanks so much, and let him know I would be back by noon with a new tire.
I pulled the trailer over where Jason instructed (first row of spaces). I chose the first space, which was an end space, so the blown tire was against the curb.
Fast forward 10 hours to 11:30 am on 7/16/19. I return to find my trailer was no longer in the space I parked it in. I head inside to find out what happened. I give a quick rundown to the cashier, and another employee overhears me and says: "It was towed this morning, I thought you came and got it?". I said I did not, and who towed it, he said Dominion towing, I asked for the number, and he said it's on the sign in the parking lot.
At this point, I went to get the number of the towing company and call them. I spoke with Kelly at Dominion Towing, and she gave me the details (she could not release the name of the employee who called), and they towed the trailer at 8:30 am. She told me it was $160 to pick it up. Now I go back inside Parkway Express and ask to speak to the manager on duty.
I introduce myself to Ron Mason and explain the events again. I ask Ron to put himself in my shoes and think if he had a roadside emergency, went in to speak with an employee who said it was ok to park, then when you come back, your now being told it was towed, and you have to pay $160. I asked what did I do wrong and why should I have to pay to get my trailer back? He says, let me find out who called them and goes into his office and closes the door. He returns and says the owner of the station called to have the trailer towed and says Dominion is willing to reduce the fee to $80. I thank him for that but ask why I still should have to pay anything. He repeated Jason said it was supposed to be gone by 6 am. I asked if he had the note I left Jason when I came in at 1 am, he said no he does not. I asked why nobody called me when I left all my contact information. He says he does not know why I was not called.
At this point, I ask for the contact info for the owner. He now gets frustrated and says he has already talked to everyone. I explain I want to ask him why it was towed and why wasn't I called. He said if I kept asking the same questions that he would call Dominion and have them charge me the full rate. I said, do not threaten me. He got more frustrated and said if I had any more issues, I would need to take it up with Dominion; I said that is not the case as they were just doing their job. Ron, then says he can tell me what the store owner will tell me, "he can do whatever he wants." I asked can I quote him on that in my reviews? He said you are going to write a review, then said he was calling Dominion and closed his door as I was walking away. read more
