MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge reversed a 30-day suspension against A1's Xclusive Auto, putting the company back in business despite their controversial practices.
The decision has left some truck drivers unhappy. A California man said he will never come back to Memphis after dealing with the company.
Sevak Zadori took a video in the middle of an 18-hour standoff with A1’s Xclusive Auto.
Zadori said moments before the tow company arrived, he was sitting in his 18-wheeler waiting for an appointment.
“I just went and lay down,” Zadori said. “I was there like 20-30 minutes. Then A1 towing came and started banging on my truck.”
Zadori said the company was towing him for not paying to park, so he offered to pay even though he’d be leaving the spot soon. He said that’s when things took a turn.
“They were like, 'No, it’s going to cost you about $15,000 for your trailer and about $20,000 for your truck for us to tow it,'” Zadori said. “They kept going up and down on the number back and forth all night. They were breaking into my truck. They were opening the door. They were threatening me.”
The standoff ended with Zadori keeping his truck, but damage to several parts of it.
“They took my drive shaft; they damaged my head underneath.”
The damage cost Zadori $6,000 so far. He also filed two police reports against the company. One for illegal towing and another for assault.
This complaint comes alongside several others against A1’s Xclusive Auto, resulting in the City of Memphis suspending the company’s permit for 30 days.
However, A1's consequences disappeared within hours when a judge granted a stay in Shelby County Chancery Court.
Regardless, the company’s practices are making truck drivers take Memphis, which is a crucial stop for a lot of truckers, off their travel list.
“I never want to come to Memphis again,” Zadori said.
A1’s CEO was not available for an interview Friday, but the company shared a statement with ABC24.
"Three days ago, [the city] threatened to arrest us with valid license, saying we didn't have right to tow/boot no matter what a judge said," the statement said. "We’ve tried to talk to the tow board and [provide] video proof of what we deal with along with trying to talk to council. I've been trying to compromise with the city this whole time, they haven’t thus far, and I won't be bullied nor stand for them [to] treat me differently simply because I'm a minority business owner."