Bob Carlson Towing & Automotive

I’ve had service from Bob Carlson (through their contract with AAA) a couple of times now. The drivers have been prompt, professional and more than courteous — they were kind. I was especially happy to have a good quality battery installed for a reasonable price, while I worked, instead of having to take off to go to the shop.

On March 25, 2016, I had the unfortunate event of breaking down in the middle of a small road in a busy campground, on Easter weekend, hooked to my 35-​ft fifth-​wheel. Called Carlson Towing and they were very responsive. The wrecker driver was Chris Barnes. He was very helpful, courteous, and professional. More than that, he was friendly, being that it was Friday night at 9:30 PM in a campground 20 miles from town.
Chris pulled both the truck and camper to the campsite and helped me disconnect it. Then he towed the truck home and dropped it on n my driveway.
Carlson Towing is lucky to have Chris as an employee. He is one reason the next time I need towing I’ll call Carlson Towing.

I don’t know the name of the gentlemen who towed my car last night, but I would like to thank him. I have never received more courteous aid from anyone in any industry. After my pants containing my car keys and wallet had been stolen I contacted AAA and the dispatched vehicle arrived within minutes. After the driver unlocked my car and put it on the lift he then helped me search every trash can in the area in the hope that the thief had just taken the cash and hastily discarded my belongings. Unfortunately, we were unable to find them, but I would like the driver to know that his efforts went above and beyond what I expect from anyone. I wish I was often in the need of towing and auto work in Ventura because I would be happy to use Carlson every time.

I am terribly disgusted with how business is ran at this tow company. Employees in office were very disrespectful to me as I was pleading to get vehicle out. Truck was towed & made arrangements to get vehicle out, had monies in hand. I politely asked if I may speak with owner & was told No he will not be calling you back, even after I left couple messages asking for return phone call. I was told vehicle is/​has been sold. Where is the compassion while fallen on hard times & making every effort, staying in communication to avoid loosing vehicle forever so owner may make a profit on my Truck. Shame on them!

I had a flat tire and Keith came right on time. He was friendly and shared some good advice. Thanks for the help, Keith!

I was driving on fumes… pulled in to gas station only to discover I didn’t have my wallet. Called AAA, and Bob Carlson’s truck came promptly. Pete was there to help and went above and beyond call of duty. Hero for the day!

I ran out of gas last night! Luckily I was able to safely pull over and call AAA, who promptly dispatched Bob Carlson and told it could be up to 40 minutes.
Doc arrived in about 20, and my first impression was that he was having a bad day. But then he walked over to me and was beyond nice. Running out of gas was totally my fault, and Doc explained why I shouldn’t let it get below ¼ tank but he never made me feel bad about it. He chatted with me while he put gas in my tank, made sure my car started up, and had me on my way in minutes. Definitely improved my night. Thank you

In May of 2006 I was diagnosed with Stage 2B Colon Cancer. I needed emergency surgery and 7 months of Chemo 3 days a week.
Here in lies my issue with Bob Carlson Towing. I had a 1964 Plymouth Valiant that was given to me by my Grandmother. My Grandfather had it ordered and delivered in October 1964. When my Grandfather passed away in 1992, she gave it to me since she no longer could drive. I used the car as a daily driver for the next 3 years and then would use it as a weekend fun car taking it to car shows and such. During the next 10 years I began the process of purchasing items to restore the vehicle to almost brand new. We lived in an apartment and my wife wouldn’t let me park it in our carport, so i parked her on the city street where i could see the car out of my dining room window. As a result of parking her in that location I would need to move it every three days to avoid a citation. In early May, I was admitted for the cancer and scheduled for Surgery. The doctors told me that I would be in the hospital for a week to two weeks. During the Surgery I threw two pulomonary embolisms to my right lung and coded out on the table. Once I awoke the next day I was struggling to make it as I was told. Over the next two days I code blued two more times fortuntely they were able to revive me. Mty wife stayed the entire time I was in the hosiptal. Lets just say God has other plans.
On May 22^nd, 2006 I was released to go home. With the staples still in my abdomen and that week I started the Chemo treatments. When I got home I did not feel like looking at the mail that had stacked up. Keep in mind I am in the mindset that I am fighting for my life.
Once I got to the mail I found out a letter from Ventura Police Department indicating my beloved Valiant had been towed. I asked my son to drive me to the police station to see what I needed to do to get my car back. VPD said I needed to pay $ 150.00 to release the vehicle and then pay Bob Carlson for towing and storage fees.
Having been off work for 8 weeks and trying to make ends meet on State Disability I knew the only way to get my baby back would be to convince Bob Carlson to allow me to make payments.
I had my son drive me to Bob Carlson, I asked the front counter person for the Manager. A gentlemen came to the front counter. When I explained the situation he told me that I had two choices. One pay the fees in full and get my car back or they would sell it at auction at the 30 day mark then file a small claims lawsuit against me to recover any impound fees not covered by the sale. When I asked him if there was anything else that could be done including payments the gentlemen told me that was the only two options.
Keep in mind my baby ran perfect there was not a thing wrong with it. As car show guys call it she was a 20 footer meaning 20 feet away she looked great, up close you she see the paint was old and such.
In the end I asked the gentlemen what I could do to just make it go away he said that if I signed over the pink slip, and provided them the keys they wouldn’t come after me for the fees not recovered from the sale.
I went home called my mom and asked her if I could borrow the money so I did not lose my baby. She said she couldn’t afford it.
In the end I took the pink slip to Bob Carlson towing signed it gave them the keys and cried for days.
I realize that Bob Carlson was doing as instructed by VPD! Where I have a major problem with them is their treatment of a person who was legitimately ill had proof of being in the hospital and showed the staples in my stomach. And «Manager» still didn’t care and had no Mercy.

Had a flat on my way to get new tires. Ben was my hero who saved the day. He not only changed the flat, but gave me great safety advise and went above and beyond what I expected for assistance. Thank you,
Melissa and Zoe

This one last experience was a total nightmare. Before, I’ve had them sent and they were quick, helpful, and very nice. The other morning, @ 4 a.m. I broke down due to the starter that had just been replaced, fail again. After calling AAA, having a gold account, I waited for 45 minutes, which I have never waited that long before. A young kid shows up, finally, with the flatbed, which is better for the vehicle, but not for me and my dog to get into. After loading up my truck, just as I knew, my dog would not attempt to climb those big steps, and he would not get in. I got frustrated and started to cry, and then hear him say ‘well if you’d stop yelling at him’ which I wasn’t, just very upset.
Then this kid says to me «you should of thought of this before you broke down and had it taken care of»…Oh really? How so? Like I knew I was going to break down?
I asked him to then call us a cab, and he did, and then says, they want to know if it is cash or charge, and I answered saying ‘how much? and he says they do not know until they take you, so I said that I do not know if I have enough on me. so he turned to me and said I am here to tow a vehicle, and that is it. So he left me in the shopping parking lot crying and sitting on the curb, lost and confused. Luckily, I then remembered my sons phone number, and he came out and took us home. We did check on the truck, and the kid did lock the doors, so I was thankful for that, but very
upset that he would leave us stranded, without even caring about us lost and alone.
Terrible experience and such an uncaring person who kept making little comments in being ‘not his problem’ and annoyed. Such a nightmare I hope to never go through again.

Fantastic Service! Called AAA for a tow and Chris showed up quickly and was able to get my car started within 30 seconds. Very knowlegeable and gracious. HIGHLY recommended.

Called AAA this morning for a blown trailor tire on my fifth wheel driving through Ventura and Bob Carlson Towing was contacted to assist. Pete arrived within 10 minutes of the call and was very professional, courteous, and efficient. He got us back on the road quickly!