Truckers Allege Predatory Practices by Tower Often in Court

Piedmont, SC

After months of being out of work due to health issues, trucker Roderick Shaw was prepared to return to his profession early in 2024. However, he was faced with a shocking discovery; his truck was missing. Shaw had left his rig at a local 7-Eleven parking lot, an understanding he and other truck drivers shared with this location for years. But recently, the 7-Eleven contracted with Southern Pride Towing to police the property and tow certain vehicles, catching Shaw and others off guard.

Predatory Towing Practices Alleged

Conflicting stories arose as to why Shaw’s truck was towed, whether the contract with Southern Pride Towing was valid, and why Southern Pride owner Christopher Cole was demanding over $6,000 to release Shaw’s truck. Chris Cole, a figure familiar with controversy, has faced criticism for his towing practices which some have referred to as predatory.

Over the years, Cole has found himself embroiled in numerous legal disputes. In Spartanburg County alone, three of his companies have seen legal action more than 60 times. He has also received criminal charges related to allegations of pointing a gun at individuals and malicious injury to an animal. Both cases are currently pending trial.

A Tale of Blame and High Fees

The roar over the towing rights of the 7-Eleven in Anderson County flared up. Shaw denied any pre-advice of his vehicle being removed and was shocked when he discovered his rig had been towed. He had used the same routine to park his rig between hauls, always consulting with gas station workers. Shaw was unprepared for the subsequent demand of over $6,000 to retrieve his truck. A negotiation, however, saw the demand reduced to $2,000, a process that took over a month to settle.

Similar stories resurfaced when another truck from WH Trucking was towed. The first demand was more than $12,000 but was later negotiated to roughly $2,500, a figure deemed more acceptable for a truck and trailer return. This concern has been echoed by Anna Wingard, the president of the Towing and Recovery Association of South Carolina, who claimed that the initial asking price of over $12,000 was unreasonable.

A Need For Regulatory Oversight?

The lack of statewide certification to operate a tow truck and limited regulation in some counties, such as Anderson County where there are no limits on towing fees, could allow operators like Cole to inflate towing fees. Various municipalities have attempted to control how much towing companies can charge to release cars from impound. Despite these efforts, many believe that further regulatory measures are necessary to adequately address issues surrounding towing fees and practices.

A potential solution could be to hold businesses accountable that enter contracts with companies like Southern Pride Towing. Carlo White, the president of WH Trucking, expressed his hopes for a legislative solution. “This should not be a thing that just goes without someone dealing with it,” White remarked, emphasizing the urgency of the situation for truckers and businesses alike.