Merl’s Towing Service

Broke down on the side of the interstate. Called several towing companies and all wanted around $ 200. My insurance connected me with Merl’s and they charged just under $ 140. Bryan, showed up and was very polite and professional. Got us to where we needed quickly. I was a little worried being a female and quite ignorant about cars and their issues, but was treated great.

I’ve never locked my keys in my car before so was expecting to be there til midnight waiting for someone to get there. But to my happy surprise they were there within a half hour and were friendly, fast, professional and well priced. There number is going in my contacts!

awesome service. great guy. he’s quick! and no car damage with lock out.

Excellent service! Needed to get my van back to Lansing on a Sunday. Very fast and friendly response.

Fast, personable, professional! Best experience we have ever had! Even dropped us off at our destination before taking our vehicle to the dealership for repair. Thank you so much for all your help!
Gerry/​Susan Reeves

A little later than estimated time but over all good, they’re good at following directions.

They returned my vehicle as they promised when they promised and were professional and courteous… what more can you ask? I have an infinity QX80 that had to go from the dealer in Grand Rapids to about an hour south and I don’t let just anyone touch that car so I’m grateful as can be!!!
THANK YOU ALL!

The driver came in a timely manner and was polite and respectful of both me and my vehicle

Terrific to deal with! Great help and professional!

DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE. I was in a car accident and they towed my car. When I called the next morning to see when they would have my car at the body shop, they didn’t have an answer, not even a rough estimate or time frame. My uncle (retired from GM) wanted to come and get the car from up north and they were SO RUDE to him when he got there. This place is a glorified junk yard. I got a flat tire on my bike due to the absurd, unavoidable amount of glass in the parking lot. I asked if they could put air in it so I could at least get to the bike shop a few streets down and they denied my request unapologetically. My uncle’s truck picked up a screw in the parking lot and he had to get his tire replaced. He asked the guys at the towing company if they had any recommendations in the area since he’s not from here. They basically told him to drive down Alpine until he sees something. End of story: DO NOT USE THIS TOWING SERVICE and if for some unfortunate reason you have to, make sure they tow your vehicle to a garage/​body shop (don’t risk your transportation’s tires to get your vehicle).

The WORST towing service. Called because car died, Merl’s estimated an hour before the tow truck came, it didn’t come for THREE hours. Continued to call several times as they said they would call us when a truck was coming. They gave excuse after excuse and never actually called to let us know when they were on their way as they promised.

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!
These guys were the worst. Got into an accident and the police called them for me. BIG MISTAKE.
1. The first guy from Merl’s hauled away the first car and was very rude to both me and my wife. He wouldn’t even take 15 seconds to talk to us, when I OBVIOUSLY HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR STITCHES! He made us wait for the next tow truck.
2. Then, when we weren’t looking, he started SHOVELING THE DEBRIS FROM THE ACCIDENT INTO THE BED OF MY PICKUP! Are you serious!!! He had a bucket with him. He could have put it in the bucket! And if the bucket wasn’t big enough, then why are you not prepared for the job you are paid to do?!? Bring a bigger bucket!
3. Then, they charged us $ 250 bucks to tow it 8 miles! They charged us for gas, and for mileage! And for every other thing they could think of.
4. We called the owner, who was also very rude. He said that he once saw a police officer put a fallen-​off bumper back in someone’s trunk. Therefore, it was okay for them to shovel trash into my pickup. It is their policy. Maybe he was the one shoveling that cap into my vehicle.
I think I will call News Team 8 Investigates.

Wish i could give zero. Receptionist was soooo rude when all we wanted was a quote for getting my car from GR to kzoo. It was a holiday so I was trying to cut some slack but when I called again to confirm things she got even nastier with me. Also, they charge considerably more than who we ended up going with. When people are in need of an emergency service like this it would be nice to be treated with a little bit of kindness.

Dick, the owner, refused to help us with a tow. When my husband first called, he was so frustrated that he said «Thanks for nothing» and hung up. Of course, not the most polite, but when your car is stuck in the snow and you are frustrated, you can be short with people. When I called back and gave similar info, he said my husband was so rude, and while he would LOVE to come help us, he would just HATE to piss off my husband. After contacting several other companies and coming up short, my husband called back with his tails between his legs and apologized. Dick was not there, but the lady said she was given strict instructions not to help us. We get it, we weren’t the most pleasant, but seriously? Have you never encountered a frustrated customer before? Very displeased and will spread the word.

Worst towing company EVER! I would rather let a team of disabled sherpas dismantle my vehicle, pack it into rawhide sledges, and lose it in a perilous river crossing then do business with this so called company! We were treated rudely, OVERCHARGED, and they would not allow us to remove our personal effects from our vehicle! When we came to retrieve it, they would not allow a truck in their yard to remove the vehicle without a $ 65 extra charge, so we had to push the 3 wheel car out through the snow! If you haven’t taken your vallium today STAY AWAY!