Adding an Inclement Weather Fee...

[TowForce]

This topic has been taken from a FB Page:

 

HS said:

Well, we’ve been “suspended from rotation indefinitely” by the county, for charging an inclement weather fee. We’ve been charging it for years, no static. If it’s dark and slick, our driver & equipment are at more risk. Anyone have any similar issues?

 

DT said:

Man it’s things like this that make me glad our area is how it is. They call us to get the job done-rates are our issue as long as we aren’t gouging they don’t care at all what the price is. But I do find it a little ridiculous a tow company charging for inclement weather-it’s literally your job to go into that weather. If you don’t want to go out in bad weather your literally in the wrong industry.

 

One thing you guys need to realize-it only takes the right person in authority to start regulating prices after seeing a bill. Charge what your worth yes-but don’t overcharge. Your overcharging or billing ridiculous fees open the door for rate regulation. I told our sheriff point blank if he wants to regulate my pricing-he can remove us from their list, it’s my business and I know what I need to charge for every job in order to stay in business and remain profitable-and I know it far better than he does. Like I told him and he agreed-I won’t tell him how to put bad guys away, he don’t tell me how to tow cars or what to charge.

 

HS replied to DT:

I agree; I’ve been in this business for over 40 years, since back before all the ridiculous micro management from the state, the county, the cities. The point of the inclement weather fee isn’t because we don’t want to get wet. Search the stats, most likely time to lose a truck or driver is in the dark, fog and rain. The company I’m with now (since 1993) has watched our insurance climb from $1,200 per year for yard, truck & garagekeepers, to $1,600 per month per unit! Not one insurance claim filed against us in all those years. The man who initiated this fee was killed by a passing motorist on US 290 January 2. Until this recent incident by a man we have never dealt with before, there have been no complaints of gouging - probably because our tickets run hundreds of dollars less than some others in our county.

 

ZM replied to DT:

I charge that fee when the regular hazards go up. For example blizzards. More risk higher price or wait till roads are plowed and less hazardous. Wasn’t my choice they decided to go for a drive when they shouldn’t of been out.

 

DT replied:

nd I get what both are saying. Instead of adding a fee that those will criticize-charge more for whatever job it is your doing. Instead of $125 and a $50 fee-charge $175 for the job.

 

ZM replied to DT:

then you get the why is this guy $125 and you are $175. Breaking it up on the bill saves ALOT of headaches and people can comprehend easier.

 

DT replied:

Then they can call that guy. He will be cheaper then you probably anyways if your charging an extra fee. I couldn’t care less what someone else charges unless they are raping people.

 

RH said:

If it’s dark and slick, our driver & equipment are at more risk.

Then turn the call down if your skirt is too long for bad weather.

Greed gotcha in the end and always does.

 

CP said:

Kinda sounds like yuh got greedy. Iv run towing and recovery equipment in Montana and Washington..where we actually get weather......got a written recognition from the county sheriff last year. Never charged extra for bad conditions on a rotation call.. just sounds greedy.

 

SM said:

So all of you saying its price gouging or getting greedy, I have a question for you. If you do a winchout on a nice sunny day and charge a fair amount for your service. Are you going to charge the same amount for that winchout in 6 inches of snow with a windchill that cuts right through you? I'm not. The price will go up and I will be compensated for being in that because you ran out of driving abilities. At least this guy was honest on his bill about what he was charging for. I just up the price for the weather being shit.

 

CH replied to SH:

I’ve been towing for 18 years. In New England at that. If I do a winchout 20’ off the road on dry ground I’m charging the same in 18” snow. Just because it may take an extra 15-20 min ain’t the customer fault. If it gets too cold out on the call, I stop and hop into my truck warm up for a min and get back to it. Inclement weather fee is a bullshit charge no matter what the insurance cost is. Not the customers fault your insurance is high that is all on you. I don’t blame the pd. I work in the MOST regulated state for towing and I have never heard of this until now.

 

KK said:

I was always told don't let a nickel hold up a dollar. Refund it with an apology letter and then inform the agency that you refunded it and apologized.

 

WD said:

If it’s not on your county rates then you can’t charge it. There has been a few in our county that charged for things they did & didn’t do, eventually they go caught and removed too.

 

RW said:

Not for nothing man but I’d thrown you off rotation too. This job isn’t 40 hours. This is sunshine and unicorns.. we go out. When storms ground planes we go out, when stranded motorists get stuck cause they drove through some flood we go out. Get your head out of your ass.. rain snow sleet hail it doesn’t matter you signed up for this.

 

JM said:

Pretty simple. What does your agreement with the county say?

 

DP said:

Does the driver get to see this hazard pay?

 

CM said:

TDLR has been cracking down on that. County rate no matter what, even a damn recovery from a flooded bayou.

 

JW said:

You cant do that in WA. The state sets LE rates. If it was a cash call then you can charge whatever you want. But LE is hourly from the time you get the call till your done and it's a set rate.

 

KK said:

I've never understood how the government can tell you what to charge anyways.... I can't find it but somewhere its in the rules of a Motor Carrier that no government entity shall dictate the fees charges...

 

TZ replied to KK:

As it reads this a rotation tow likely under contract with agreed rates. This is different from Rates which are Regulated like some States or Municipalities have due to one company price gouging. Once those Rates are Regulated that One company either moves or or is out of buisness. Leaving behind set rates which the other companies didn't cause and now have to battle every few years for increases..

[goodmichael]

This is a double edged sword. I am all for just compensation and return on investment. Many states are forty years behind on the prices of equipment. That being said, I believe there should be considerations in rates for holidays, as well as after hours that are built into municipal contracts. You are selling your time. Do you not believe that you are worth, and should be compensated for being called out at 3am., on Thanksgiving day, Christmas morning? That police officer is getting extra pay.  I did not break it, fail to maintain it, fail to put fuel in it, drive it while high or drunk, or fail to navigate it in a responsible manner. If you are restoring order you should be justly compensated.