AVENTURA, Fla. – Tow companies have been working overtime to remove cars left stranded in flood waters.
For some car owners, it has proven to be a very expensive fix.
Local 10 News’ Samiar Nefzi met Graciafe Cardenas on Wednesday at Aventura Mall.
Her silver Hyundai was left stalled out due to the rising flood waters.
“I tried to back up and make a U-turn but it was stuck,” she said. “Everything started going up and up and up. I was like I have to get out of the car.”
Now 24 hours later, she has been trying to get her car towed away.
“It’s kind of surprising how they were charging this price,” she said. “It’s insane you know after the state was in an emergency.”
Cardenas is talking about the whopping bill she received for nearly $3,000 to tow her car.
The bill broke down as follows: $2,850 for the hook-recovery-tow, $144 for an administrative fee and $5 for mileage.
“They are supposed to help us not overcharge us,” Cardenas said. “They started playing with our prices. They started at $3K, they lowered it down to $1,500 and eventually (another) six-seven hundred dollars.”
She says eventually the company settled on $800, adding she believes the company was price gouging during the time of need.
“We’re not dumb, we’re not stupid,” she said. “Watch out other people are going to see what they are doing.”
Local 10 News reached out to the towing company for comment but did not hear by at the time of this story’s publishing.
To report price gouging in Florida, call 866-966-7226.