Sockly research · towing companies · updated 2026-11-03
4% of towing companies have a review from the last year that says nobody answered.
the shoulder of the interstate, hazards on. A stranded driver calls a towing company. We read the Google reviews of 102 independent towing companies in 8 US metros: 4 had at least one customer write, in the last 12 months, that they couldn't reach anyone. 5 reviews in all.
What they wrote
What customers of towing companies describe
Paraphrased from reviews that passed our complaint check. No business is named.
First call went straight to voicemail
Says 24/7, no answer at 8 am
Where we read them: Roswell, GA, Marietta, GA, Decatur, GA, Kennesaw, GA, Atlanta, GA, Smyrna, GA, Sandy Springs, GA, Alpharetta, GA.
The script
What a front desk should say when a stranded driver calls
Five lines. The ones without a complaint review do most of this.
- “Thanks for calling [your business], this is the front office. How can I help?” Name first. They called you, not a call center.
- “What's going on?” Then let them finish.
- One qualifying question: “Where exactly are you, and is the car drivable?”
- Two times, not an open question: “A truck can be there in 30 minutes.”
- “What's a good name and number, in case anything changes?” Then confirm it by text before you hang up.
The math
One missed call a week
1 missed call a week × $120 job = $6,240 a year.
$120 is an estimated average job for towing companies; use yours. The reviews are the callers who wrote it down. Most don't. They call the next name on Google.
Questions
Missed calls at towing companies
- How many towing companies have a review about not answering the phone?
- In our scan of 102 independent towing companies across 8 US metros, 4 (4%) had at least one review of 3 stars or fewer in the last 12 months saying the caller couldn't get through, never got a callback, or was brushed off by the front desk. Reviews undercount it: most callers who can't get through don't write anything.
- What does one missed call cost a towing company?
- Using an estimated average job of $120, one missed call a week that becomes a lost job is $6,240 a year. Your number may be higher or lower; the arithmetic is the same.
- What should a front desk say when a stranded driver calls a towing company?
- Answer with the business name, let the caller say what's going on, ask one qualifying question (“Where exactly are you, and is the car drivable?”), offer two specific times instead of an open question, then take a name and callback number and confirm by text.
- Can Sockly answer as a towing company?
- Yes. Call 470-280-8910 and say your business name; it answers as you in about 30 seconds. On your real number it answers every call 24/7, books on your calendar, texts you the summary and callback number, and confirms the customer by text. First month free, $0 setup, then $997 a month for up to 500 calls.
Other trades: law, pest control, moving, appliance repair, HVAC, roofing, veterinary, auto repair, garage door, locksmith, plumbing, electrical, tree service, cleaning.
Hear it answer as a towing company.
Call 470-280-8910 and say your business name. Sockly answers as you in about 30 seconds. First month free, $0 setup.