Lack of communication the staffs lie if they tow your car they want high towing bill the company don't have insurance and when you talk with them about New York State towing policy they claim they are private the rules don't reply to their company Charge the highest storage they just took our car and gave us a bill that you can go buy a new car bad company read more

I am in the tow business and needed help on very short notice. Pete & the Essentials crew went above & beyond to help us out. I know this business inside & out. I always highly recommend them if I am unable to assist someone in need of services. read more

Probably the worst towing company I have ever experienced with in my life they take your car with no hesitation and they pick and choose then make you pay a crazy price to get your car back shit is ridiculous I go to school and work I shouldn't be giving you guys a DIME!! read more

My apartment complex (Block 75) has them as a towing provider to tow cars within their Apartment Complex. One thing is for sure, I have never seen a more crooked company ever in my life. It's one thing to tow cars on days of operation, but it's another thing to tow individual's cars when you don't operate and hold their car longer without getting it back. In terms of pricing, getting your car back from them is outrageously high. They will charge you an arm and a leg, and you can only pay them in cash. My Own Experience: They towed my friend's car on a day they were closed, and when we came to collect the vehicle, he was charged over $600 to collect it. (Mind you, this is a time span of just 1 day, and with us coming to collect it literally when they opened) read more

Got in an accident last Tuesday and Essentials was called by the Colonie PD to provide a tow. Since having my car towed they have been giving me the run around trying to get them to release my car to GEICO in what I can only assume is a blatant attempt to run up the bill with more storage fees. They have terrible communication and are very difficult to get in touch with as most of my calls to them have gone to a full voicemail box so I couldn't leave a message. I spoke to someone named Jeff over the phone last Wednesday who took my information and told me it was all set for GEICO to go tow it, but then when I called GEICOs tow depart on Friday for an update, the rep from the GEICO called them and told me they said had spoken to someone named Brenda, who claimed to be the owner and told the rep that I needed to go there in person to sign a release form. This caused me to need to leave work early to go over there because they don't have any hours outside of normal office hours, and I spoke to someone named Rick in person, who took down my information in his phone but also told me there was nothing to sign and I could've just called them, meaning I had left work early and paid for an Uber to get there for no reason. Looking at the other reviews for this company, it seems like I'm far from the only person to have trouble getting their car released from this place. From what the GEICO tow rep told me on Friday, the car was supposed to be towed either that day or on Monday at the latest since they aren't open on weekends, and here I am on Thursday, a full 9 days after my accident, being told by my claims adjuster once again that I need to go to sign a release form in person. Luckily after explaining this to them, they're trying to get it sorted out for me, but Essentials has some very shady business practices. It very much seems like they're intentionally trying to avoid releasing my car to run up the bill and I will definitely be avoiding them at all costs going forward. read more

My car broke down and I have a warranty that pays for towing and my warranty reached out to them to get a tow for me and they accepted the tow for 152.00 then when my warranty reached out to them and then they changed the amount to 350 after taking the job the first time. I will never use this company and you shouldn't either. read more

If you get a tow on a Friday evening, plan on paying storage fees of $60 per day and a gate fee of $45 because they are not open on the weekend and do not answer calls. I did not choose their company but Colonie Police called them during a storm to ensure safety of everyone (car slid in ditch). Thankful for that consideration, however, not a $429 bill to pay but they "did me a favor" and took one $60 storage fees off! The car wouldn't start after being pulled from the ditch, no damage. They did not try to jump it when pulled out and magically it started on Monday at their business. AAA was too long of a wait for the conditions. read more

Pete's towing just recovered our car from a snowy ditch, laying against trees on Kross Rd in Hunter. AAA came and said they couldn't do anything about it. Pete's sent a driver who recovered the vehicles in about 20 minutes. The car received zero damage whatsover, and it was at an extremely low price. read more

I have progressive insurance and they hooked me up with this towing service . I got a time of 90 to 120 minutes . After calling them 2 hours in no answer. Progressive called no answer .no updates from provider . If you can't fulfill a job tell them that instead I froze outside and still have to wait for another towing company . Never use this company . read more

They said the car was not drivable, it was drivable and they were trying to convince me to do repairs there instead of where the insurance company requested read more

Scam Cons!!!! ‍ Car was towed .... have insurance .... the insurance company called them but no answer.

Had a blowout this past Friday in Clifton Park. Terrible timing. But Essentials made the experience a breeze. Amanda was extremely helpful and provided me with pictures of the drop off at Destination Kia who lied about the drop off day. Won't be my next destination. Kudos to coffmans! read more

Essential Towing also uses the name Coffmans Towing. My insurance company has tried twice to have this company tow my car to a repair shop. Twice they've failed to show up. The phone goes unanswered. If you actually need roadside assistance, call another towing company. read more

As every other reviewer noted, this company is awful. If your insurance/roadside assistance sets you up with this company or "Coffmans Towing Service" immediately ask for another provider. They do not pick up the phones, provide any information and ended up just being a no-show after waiting four hours. The fact that they have three different business alias's is a huge red flag. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. read more

This company will take advantage and slime ball you in every way possible. The owner Steve is VERY HOSTILE and made me fear for my safety while removing belongings from MY CAR! (WhichSteve never let me get everything I own out). I can CLEARLY see why they have the reviews they do. STAY AWAY !!! My vehicle was towed due to an accident by this company. This company was called to the scene by NY State Police. Upon calling them 6 hours after the vehicle was towed (the scene of the accident took 1.5-2 hours to leave safely) so it was in reality 4 hours after the accident. I was given an itemized list of the bill, many of which didn't make sense when the car was obviously totaled (one being $60 for a .2 mile ride to being dropped off around the corner-Uber from My location to S Colonie was $20 as I checked to see what pricing was at the time). It was $455+. When I called and asked if they do scraping and pay, the person who picked up, (who I was told later by the car salesman who owns the dealership next to this towing co His name is Steve) who I'm assuming is the owner, said yes. Upon arriving to remove all my possessions from the vehicle, I asked how much would they pay me for scraping the car to them. The worker (assuming owner because aggressively by the end he said 'Get the F off my property) verbally said he would give me $500. I agreed and MY FIRST TIMER MISTAKE, handed Him my title of the car. I then proceeded to get everything out and when I went to get MY spare tyre out of the car, he pleaded with me to not get it out. I said "ok, if I don't take it, you will still give me $500" which he replied "yes". I then tried to get MY BRAND NEW 12V battery out which I just purchased 2 weeks ago out and at this point he became VERY aggressive and demanded I leave His property (using swear words and said he's calling the cops on me). I said where's my money and Steve said "I'm not giving you S***". I then left IMMEDIATELY being afraid for my safety thinking he was going to assault me. I told Him police are on the way from the safety of my locked vehicle and he locked the gates where the cars are kept and left fast. I DID NOT SIGN THE TITLE. STEVE STOLED MY CAR AND COMMITTED GRAND THEFT AUTO. I GUARANTEE HE WILL BE PULLING MY CAR APART DURING THE NIGHT TO GET VALUABLES OUT SO THAT I CANT GET THEM. read more

Essentials Towing & Recovery - Close up of my 2010 Toyota Prius that was STOLEN - Towing Near Me - Troy, New York

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Used my Roadside assistance throgh Verizon - they told verizon that there would be a $75 out of pocket because they needed special equipment, they needed to tie down the truck, etc, they calmed it wan't a simple winch out which is covered. They showed up 4 hours later, wiched me out (simple), took them 5 mins, and charged me $86.25. I was scammed. read more

They're absolutely amazing. Gone to them a few times due to emergency, always the damn breaks too. But I trust them and they've saved me and my partner from needing to pay an arm and a leg compared to other places. When we were struggling they worked with us and were friendly. Never worried about the old girl. Will definitely continue using their service despite moving so far. Troy essentials for the win! read more

They DO NOT offer 24 hour towing services. This business is a scam. --They charged me for unnecessary services like "clean up parts", this was a $100 charge(????). -- I went to their business on Friday night to retrieve my car but no one was there. I proceeded to call them but no response. On Saturday morning I called again and I was told that they do not operate on the weekends. This led to three extra days being charged for storage. -- They told me to come on Monday before nine and my towing company was there on time to retrieve the car, however, they still charged me for a full day on Monday. They charged me $900 for THREE Days. DO NOT use this storage company if you want your car towed after an accident, they do nothing but add to the stress you are already experiencing. Extremely disappointed. read more

these guys are the service that contract with my insurance for towing in the Albany area. They never showed up after 3 hours and not me or the insurance company can get a hold of them, they don't answer the phone and the mailbox is full. read more

Went through State Farm Roadside Assistance for this tow. This company goes by the name of Coffman's or Essential Towing, which is pretty weird to begin with, why two names? The company said they'd be at my house at 11:00 am and after four hours of calling State Farm and the tow company, they finally showed up. Every time I spoke with the company, they said they'd be there in a half hour, then 15 minutes, then a half hour, then 20 minutes. This went on all day long and they finally showed up four hours later. They said the rain set them back a bit. A BIT??? Rain set you back FOUR HOURS??? This is the northeast, what the heck do they do when it snows?? First, I can't believe State Farm even does business with this company, so that needs to be addressed by State Farm. Second, DON'T EVER use this company, I probably could have pushed my car to the repair shop faster than this company showed up to tow it. I've never had a more horrible experience waiting for a tow, avoid this company at all cost! read more

Gotta flat on 787 yesterday... essential towing and recovery pulled over w/o a call...gave me a hand changing my flat...and saved my day... TY.... To the tow truck driver for being a good samaritan and a sweetheart!!! read more

Essentials Towing & Recovery - There is still good Samaritans out there TY!! - Towing Near Me - Troy, New York

I highly recommend this business,I was stranded in Troy with a dead battery I called Essential towing an within 15 minutes there was a very nice man there to jump my car an ten minutes later I was on my way home THANX ESSENTIAL read more

Our experience is the same as all the rest here - they don't answer their phone, their voice mail is full, no one is onsite to retrieve the car after it was towed from the scene of an accident. We would like to pay for the tow and pick the car up but cannot because we cannot reach them, I assume there is a daily 'storage' fee that they'll want to collect even though we were at their site 2 hours after the car was picked up but they're not available. Call ANYone else. read more

I had called this towing company to recover my truck stuck in the mud with a broken Axel they showed up on time and did a fantastic job getting my tuck out and bringing it where it had to go I would recommend using them any day of the week read more

DO NOT USE ESSENTIAL TOWING COMPANY- 1) NO SERVICE PROVIDED; 2) DOES NOT ANSWER BUSINESS PHONE LINE; 3) BUSINESS ADDRESS POSTED ONLINE IS NOT THE CORRECT BUSINESS LOCATION. 1) NO SERVICE PROVIDED- I called the Essential Towing Company at around 11am when my car broke down on Western Avenue in Albany- I had my 5 yr. old son in the car with me. The dispatcher told me the tow truck would pick my car up in approx. 1 hr.- she took my credit card information and told me the towing company would call me when my car was delivered to the car dealership in Latham. The towing company never picked up my car nor did they call to let me know that they could not fulfill my order. 2) DOES NOT ANSWER BUSINESS PHONE LINE- I did not wait for the tow truck- I arranged alternative transportation to pick up my son and myself. I confirmed with the tow truck dispatch company that I would leave the keys under the mat. After I arrived home and did not hear from the towing company, I called the towing company phone number approx. 15 times throughout the day- each time I called I was forwarded to voicemail account that was full, I was unable to leave a message. I called the dealership numerous times throughout the day and finally was told that my car was never delivered to the garage. At no point did I ever receive a phone call from the towing company letting me know that they were unable to complete the transaction- the only time anyone picked up my call was when I called to make the initial request for the towing service with the dispatcher. 3) BUSINESS ADDRESS POSTED ONLINE IS NOT THE CORRECT BUSINESS LOCATION. At around 6pm, after receiving definitive confirmation from the dealership that my car was never delivered, I then googled the Essential towing truck company's address identified online (1363 Central Ave., Albany) and an alternative business was identified at this address - JBR Auto Sales. I called the phone number for JBR Auto Sales and the gentleman who answered told me that the Essential Towing Company does not work out of his location, he is unfamiliar with the vendor yet receives on a regular basis many phone calls from agitated clients not being able to connect with the towing company. At 7:30 pm the same day, I then placed a pickup order with Osborne Towing Company in Albany- they were fast, efficient, and called me when they arrived at the car. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME REACHING OUT TO ESSENTIAL TOWING. AT BEST THEY ARE AN INEPT TOWING COMPANY, AT WORST THEY ARE AN ILLEGITIMATE COMPANY, HOLDING THEMSELVES OUT TO THE PUBLIC AS A TOWING COMPANY AS A WAY TO GAIN CREDIT CARD INFORMATION. read more

Everyone at Essentials Towing was very great dispatcher to driver. Very professional, helpful and best rates around. We got quick service. Hard to find a good tow company now a days. I would recommend this company to anyone and everyone I know! Thanks Essentials, will definitely call you all if I ever need a tow truck! read more

If I could leave a negative rating, I would without hesitation. Initial ETA of approximately 90 minutes. After 90 minutes, I called and a person said they had not yet dispatched and hung up on me. After 2.5 hours, I called again to check on status. I had to call some 5 times before being able to speak with someone. Person I spoke with said he'd check on status of the tow truck driver and call me back. Never called me back. Roadside assistance, which was handling the hiring of the towing company also called Essential Towing several times to no avail. After 4 hours of waiting by a highway, I had to call a new towing company, finally having given up on getting any kind of service from Essential Towing or even a straight answer (or answer!). read more

If i could give negative stars i would. I was in an accident Saturday. Essential towing was sent by my insurancr conpany to tow my jeep to the shop of my choice. Driver came took my jeep and i find out 5 days later (when i call the shop to check on the progress) that it never made it to the repair shop.. When i call essential no one answers the phone. And when they do answer they tell me the person i need to speak to is not in and to call back later. When i insist that I speak to someone now they put me on hold for 15 mins. When i finally speak to the person i need to she tells me she "has the jeep" and "needs more information from insurance to release it". Meanwhile no one called me or insurance to get that information. And insurance has been trying to call them for going on 6 hours and failed to get ahold of someone everytime.. If my jeep is there this is horrible customer service. If its not then its a legal matter that we will have to handle.. But i am absolutely appalled they let it come to this.. read more

Car warranty company placed a tow call with essentials towing. At 11:51 am received a text with 40 arrival- no show. Called the company several times and was told the driver delayed do to accidents. Received another text at 4:00 pm with 90 minute ETA. They never showed are call car warranty company tried to call several time with no answer. The warranty company called another company that company got there in 2 hours. I called Essentials towing this morning to ask them what happen and they said the warranty company cancelled the call. The warranty company cancelled the call 6 hours after they placed the first call and Essentials was a no show he gave a bunch of I got backed up. No the problem was they wanted to handle accidents rather than contracted breakdowns which pays a much lower rate. Never use them again. read more

Absolutely awful. Kia roadside contacted them to tow my car at 8:45 a.m. today. Essential Towing promised they'd be here by 10. Then I got called at 10:30 that they were delayed and wouldn't give me a tow until 12. At 12:10 I called Essential directly but just kept getting an answering machine. I called Kia roadside again and they called Essential and also got an answering machine. Now I'm waiting for another towing company and my expected tow time is 2:15!!!!!! Thanks so much Essential for being Essentially Useless!!!!!!! read more