04/27/2026
Good evening,
I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday. We have had a few days to consider the next steps for Pro Tow. I'd like to share more information/transparency on the changes in our business.
Pro Tow has resumed your local 24-hour, 7-day-a-week services for all of our accounts, except AAA/ACG. This includes Geico, Allstate, Agero, and almost all other insurance companies. All law enforcement agencies, State, County, and City. Shops, dealerships, and all our other great customers.
We will be providing all the same services we always have, including: 24-hour accident wrecker, flatbed, Heavy wrecker, Heavy flatbed, lockouts, jumpstarts, tire changes, fuel deliveries, moving equipment, sheds, or just about anything.
I would shed some more light on the end of our 17/18-year “Partnership” with AAA. Throughout, we were recognized as in the Top 90% for provider ratings. Approximately six months ago, I had a talk with our Regional manager about how winters are tough, keeping all the equipment and staff throughout the slower season. It is actually 1/6 of the call volume, and I was expected not to decline any calls from Rocky Hock to Gates to Moyock to Knotts Island to Corolla to Hatteras to Ocracoke Island to Manteo to Wanchese, and everywhere in between. A rate adjustment was needed because one had not been made in a few years, and, as we all know, there is inflation down the line. Not to forget about the amount of diesel fuel.
About two months after the initial conversation, I asked if he had come up with anything, and he seemed to have forgotten and said he would work on it. Now it's going into January, and payroll was sometimes double what I was making, keeping everything covered. We had multiple conversations via Teams meetings, phone calls, texts, and emails. In February, we came up with something that we thought would work. After a week of doing it their new way, with what was supposed to be a raise, but it turned out to be less money. In short, polygons were set up, and it was promoted as great. It wasn't, so I asked them to propose a simple rate plan. In the meantime, they could not get their New Rate Plan entered into the system correctly. For the next 4-6 weeks, we did not get paid for 50% of what the new rate was supposed to be, with already lower call volume. It's usually complicated to get paid by a corporation when they owe you money after underpaying you. April 2, we had a Teams meeting and came up with a different payment plan, a “call breakdown” that would work. Next, we were negotiating the rate. During that conversation, I was told, “Mike, you have been such a great provider for a long time, we don’t want you to go anywhere, the ball is in your court”. I was apologized to for this process taking so long and thanked for not quitting. Also said he was glad we were able to look out for each other.
A suggested rate was offered, and I asked if I could think about it over the weekend. I got in touch with them the following week and gave them a counteroffer. He said the person he needs to talk to has been down in Florida and will let me know when he gets back.
In the meantime, we are conducting interviews as the busy season approaches. Last week, I hired someone who put in his notice at FedEx to start next week. Including two others. So, business as usual, and we were close to coming to an agreement on the rate.
At the beginning of this, I mentioned I am also considering getting out of the business. I explained that if the business could afford a professional manager, I could handle things better, though there simply was not enough, especially during the slow season. That was a big part of why I initially requested the rate adjustment.
They said if I work with them, they will work with me. They then told me there is a company running 190 calls a day for them already that is interested in expanding. This was one of the few ways I could step away from the business so my employees could continue working where they were happy. That they would also buy most of the 18 in the fleet.
Pro Tow employed 25-30 employees at any given time. Including Blue Cross Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and much more for some. Maintained a clean DOT record with only a few minor fender benders and no motor vehicle-related injuries in close to 20 years. Only 2 workers' comp claims for getting injured on the job (not severe) and 2-3 unemployment claims that were valid. A Google rate of 4.8 with 471 reviews.
Monday afternoon, I noticed in the OBX area, we didn’t have many tows, and the ones we did were the harder ones. We were the only service provider for the entire area. Example Hatteras staying in Hatteras. Tuesday, same thing….Call on Ocracoke Island. Which we regularly serviced. We were still receiving all calls in the cheaper polygons, though the good-paying tows in the busy cities of OBX seemed to stop. So, Wednesday afternoon, I set up a test call in Kitty Hawk. 15 minutes later, I received a call from another towing company that was on its way to pick me up. Which should have popped up on my screen in seconds.
I called my account manager, but he did not answer. I had to call him a few times before he finally replied via text, “Can we set up a call in the morning?” Meanwhile, I have paid employees who were on their shifts but not actively working in these areas. I said no, I need you to call me asap. An hour or two later, he calls and says, "What’s up?" I asked why a call in our contracted area went to someone else. He said, " My boss didn’t tell you? He was supposed to call you on Monday. I asked for what? To tell me they decided to use someone cheaper in the area? He said 'yes'. I told him no, I did not receive any phone calls from management, which was not uncommon. So during this time, I was working with them on what they wanted, they went to a competitor to see if they would do it cheaper. Not working with the company they suggested, as they said they would come in and make a smooth transition if I decided not to stay in the industry or if we couldn’t come to an agreement on rates.
I asked. To confirm, the decision was to take the higher-paying calls away and have me handle the rest? I was told yes, basically.
I was just a little mad about all the lies, and I had a few choice words for them, as anyone could imagine. I declined the remaining calls they sent me until they stopped.
None of them had the decency to let us know that we cannot meet your counteroffer. Or say if you don’t accept the offer, we will have to hire someone else. Not enough courage to call and say, "Hey, don’t pay your employees to sit around." They even sent this week's battery order.
I was misled and lied to, then had to work through the slow season for their convenience, so they could hire someone cheaper right before the call volume picks up, to replenish.
Wednesday afternoon….. The first order of production is to get all employees and most of our trucks to the yard. The next 8 hours consisted of tears from many and tough hardship. Tearing apart a team of people that have worked together, forming a unique family, and helping serve the community. There were people who shared that they have been there since very close to the beginning, to 12, 10, 8, etc. years.
Humanity has been depleted from their program.
Approximately a year ago, we had to sign a revised contract that was no longer in line with the AAA Carolinas guidelines. It was now AAA/ACG, and it was mandatory. In that contract, there is a clause stating that I may not offer my business for sale without notifying them first and giving them the opportunity to purchase it. This way, they can decide what you do with your business and be in control.
Over time, working for them, things became more like an employee, not a business owner. Over the past few years, it has been 100% working for the man. Those currently contracted are no longer self-employed; they are working for the man.
What they sell...used snake oil
Michael Weisz
770 Pitts Chapel Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
P) 252.335.1372 F) 252.331.1563
GoProTow.com
