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At a stressful roadside scene, it can be hard to tell the difference between a professional tow operator and a predator. But their behaviour gives them away. Legitimate operators and scammers act in completely opposite ways. Here is the difference.
On Arrival
A Legitimate Operator: Arrives because you, your insurer, or a service like InstaTow called them. They introduce themselves and their company clearly. They are calm and professional.
A Predatory Operator: Shows up uninvited. They are often aggressive and immediately try to take control of the situation. They might lie and say the police or your insurer sent them.
On Price
A Legitimate Operator: Will provide a clear, upfront, all-inclusive price before they do any work. They have no problem putting it in writing. They are confident their price is fair.
A Predatory Operator: Will avoid discussing price. They use evasive lines like “insurance will cover it” or “it’s a standard rate.” They need to avoid a fixed quote so they can inflate the bill later.
On Pressure
A Legitimate Operator: Gives you time to think and make a decision. They understand you are stressed and do not rush you. Their job is to help, not to pressure.
A Predatory Operator: Creates a false sense of urgency. They tell you the car must be moved immediately. Pressure is their primary tool to force a quick, uninformed decision.
On Destination
A Legitimate Operator: Will ask you where you want the car to go. They will tow it to your home, your mechanic, or any other destination you choose.
A Predatory Operator: Will insist on taking the vehicle to their “secure holding yard” for “assessment.” This is the setup for the storage fee scam.
On Paperwork
A Legitimate Operator: Will present you with a form that has the price and destination already filled out for you to sign.
A Predatory Operator: Will try to get you to sign a blank or incomplete form. Your signature is their weapon.
The Difference is Transparency
It all comes down to one thing: transparency. Professionals are open, clear, and upfront. Scammers are vague, evasive, and reliant on confusion.
InstaTow was built to champion the professionals. Our platform requires transparency by design. We vet our operators and ensure they adhere to a code of conduct built on fair pricing and clear communication. We give the good operators a platform where they can thrive without having to compete with the tactics of the bad ones.
Know the signs. Choose professionalism over pressure.
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