Southern Pride Towing to Address Truckers’ Fee Cap Allegations

In Spartanburg, South Carolina, the world of towing has been hit by accusations of predatory practices. The Southern Pride Towing company is allegedly taking advantage of the unclear fee structure for towing services, prompting many local truckers to demand a review of rules and regulations.

Case of Missing Truck

In early 2024, Roderick Shaw, a local trucker, discovered his truck was absent from the 7-Eleven parking lot where he had left it. Southern Pride Towing, contracted by 7-Eleven to remove illegally parked vehicles, had towed his truck. Shaw, along with many other truckers, had been using the parking lot to leave their trucks under an informal agreement with the store’s staff for several years.

Shaw was further shocked to discover that Christopher Cole, the owner of Southern Pride Towing, was asking for more than $10,000 to release his truck. While Southern Pride stated that 7-Eleven wanted the trucks towed, 7-Eleven employees and management have not made a public comment on the situation.

Cole and his company have faced legal action more than 60 times in Spartanburg County alone, with their towing practices often referred to as predatory. This includes two pending criminal charges, one for pointing a gun at people and another for malicious injury to an animal.

Tow or No-Go

In recent times, parking spaces for trucks have seen a decline in availability. Due to this, truckers often make informal agreements with gas stations, where they return to their parked rig after mandatory rest periods. However, sudden shifts in such agreements can lead to miscommunication, as with Shaw’s case.

After Cole’s company towed Shaw’s truck, they demanded more than $6,000 for its return, causing considerable distress. In another similar instance, WH Trucking was asked to pay an initial price of over $12,000 to recover their truck and trailer from Southern Pride Towing.

Lot Politics

Controversy over the agreement between 7-Eleven and Southern Pride Towing has also arisen. A police report indicated that the 7-Eleven store manager who signed the contract did not have the authority to do so. Still, Cole insists that the manager had the clearance from 7-Eleven’s legal department to sign on behalf of the store.

The Quest for Regulation

The City of Spartanburg has been active in combating the growing towing issue, passing an ordinance in 2017 that limits the fees companies can charge for towing within city limits. However, Christopher Cole believes this ordinance to be unconstitutional, and Southern Pride no longer operates in the Spartanburg city limits.

Many hope for a legislative solution at a state level. Monier Abusaft, a Spartanburg County Councilman, suggested implementing a licensing requirement for towing services. This could hold accountable individuals and businesses engaged in predatory towing practices, preventing further damage to drivers and company owners.

Anna Wingard, president of the Towing and Recovery Association of South Carolina, however, cautioned that added regulations could hurt the industry as a whole. She did agree that more parking spaces for trucks may alleviate some of the tension. She also underlined that unscrupulous individuals should not be allowed to tarnish the entire industry’s image.

While Southern Pride Towing has agreed to face the allegations, truckers across Spartanburg hope the government can devise a solution to their problem. They want business and government bodies to take responsibility for practices that directly impact their livelihood.

Overall, this case highlights the importance of clear and concise agreements. It also signals the growing need for an upgraded system to handle commercial vehicle parking and towing in South Carolina.