First Road Emergency Review

Allen McLean from Centurion assisted after an accident last week. Thank you so much for your kind and professional service!

(FIRST HELP) : These people are hustlers and running a (somehow) legal scam to steal your car, hold it ransom for more than R10 000 and force you in to it. I'm going to make a police report please do the same.

If you need assistance related to emergency or vehicle recovery, this must be your 1st call

Probably cause accidents just to earn off the towing service charge, thinking they're providing you a "favour". I know. I and 3 other vehicles were rammed by their reckless driver.

Thieves

I sent an email to Clinton, Rufus and Diana (Chief Executive Officer)
of 1st Help/Group on Monday 1st June. Not even a response.

I had an accident on 02 March 2020 and was taken to hospital.
First at the scene was Johnathan from 1st Help
I called my insurance company register my claim, they instructed Jonathan to take my car to Sandton Auto Jonathan took my car to Northcliff Auto on his own accord and as per instruction from management at 1st Help

I don't care about the other items, but I had 2 items of importance to me, that were stolen out of the boot of the car which I believe they should take responsibility in replacing these items as it was their employees acting under their instructions.

I am not going to run around asking people and following up, because for the first day since the accident I did not know where my car was.
I had to make several calls to their employees Bianca, Bronwyn, Jonathan and Derick to find out. Their Bianca then insisted that what Jonathan did was right.

I also notified my insurer about this.
Thieves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When u need your car to be towed away
First class

It's sad to say this guys are scarmer for life in the middle of vulnerability they tend to take advantage of the situation.when all said and done they end up calling you with a private number claiming to be insurance company so as tow you car.Guys we need to speak out on this matters coz they can be scamming people like this

Nice Good friendly towing service
Best towing company in South Africa
Best tow truck drivers and rollback drivers

I am appalled and disgusted with the unprofessional service I have received from First Help, a division of First Group.

On 4 July 2020 at around 2:30am, I was involved in an accident whereby my car flipped and landed on the roof on Paul Kruger Road, Wilgeheuvel.

First Help was first on the scene. No one helped me out of the vehicle. I was in a state of shock and panic and when I did crawl out of the vehicle - Someone who was assisting Chris Mare(tow driver) with the tow assaulted me. Whilst bystanders at the scene, including Chris Mare and another employee of First Help towing service, prolonged intervening.
Please note I have an independent witness that can confirm the assault.

When my car was eventually returned to me on 7 July 2020, I noticed that the face of my radio was missing, together with a some of my personal belongings.
When I confronted the First Help tow driver regarding the missing items, I was advised that a package usually comes with the vehicle but there was no package received in this instance. Again, a clear indication of unprofessional and unscrupulous service. I have proof that the radio face was in the vehicle before being towed. I have a tow invoice that was signed before the vehicle was towed which clearly indicates that the face of my radio was on.

I refused to pay for the balance owing when I noticed that the radio face was missing. The driver that delivered my vehicle immediately called First Help and spoke to Tasneem, who I had been dealing with regarding the return of my vehicle. She asked for me and proceeded to speak in a harsh tone. She advised that if the face was not in the car then it must not have been there when it was towed away. I pointed out that the checklist was done by Chris and I at the scene, before I signed the invoice. This receipt states that the radio face was there. I was then asked for proof of invoice, which I scanned and emailed to her. Thereafter, Tasneem advised that they would only pay if it is in Black and white . She then proceeded to cut the call and my calls thereafter were intentionally not answered.
Someone as rude, unhelpful and unsympathetic as Tasneem should not be in a customer facing position! Her attitude and customer service are unprofessional and unprincipled. Absolutely disgraceful!

When Tasneem eventually answered, after my numerous attempts, I was advised that First Help is now conducting their own investigations into the matter. To date, I have not received any feedback regarding this investigation.

In my own capacity, a case of theft and assault has been opened with the SAPS.

Please be advised, prior to this incident on the very same road (near Eagle Canyon golf estate) a white tow truck drove into my lane with bright lights on and their rectangular flood light on the grill as I was following a Hyundai i10 and tried to force an accident between the Hyundai and my vehicle. Please be careful. Protect yourself from being a victim of these hooligans!

These people prey on vulnerable people who have been involved in accident's, tell you the car will be towed for R600 to their workshop where they will send you quotes for repairs and start with repairs once you give them approval. The same day you call them and they say that you have to pay over R10,000-00 to get your car back. Their drivers do not inform the affected drivers about the terms and conditions and the back of the paper written in very small print with Grey ink. They make you sign the paper without even telling you about the costs. I called and spoke to Natasha, she took the driver's details and mine and said she would call me back in 10. Incident happened at 8:30 this morning, I spoke to Natasha at 9:30 this morning. I called her 17 times, it's either she's in a meeting or on a call. This is just a way to increase the costs that I'm supposedly have to pay after the towing guys said I'd be charged R600. Worst of all when I initially asked the guy about the cost he said he doesn't know, I asked him to give me an estimate because I need to know what I am working with, he then said R600. How is this my fault when your drivers prey on us at our most funerable moments, still in shock and confusion from the accident. They know very well that if they disclose the costs no one in the right mind will let them tow their car. This guy and I agreed about repairs with their panel beaters but took my car to storage.

Phillip Makgeta you were an ansolute star tpday. Thank you so much for helping me!

Just saw one of your trucks towing a truck on Main Road Kyalami. Driving so recklessly and so fast and coming right up on the bumper of the car in front. Scary horrid driving...putting other people in danger.

Just wanted d to say thank you so much to Nelson from First assist for coming to the rescue of 3 clueless ladies and Getting us safely out of harms way after our car had a blow out in the fast lane tonight. He is one incredibly amazing guy. Thank you so so much to the switch board team aswell for their quick and efficient response. Im forever greatful, and know who to call in the future.

Not a nice area in my opinion. Doesn't feel too safe here. The offices are really nice though.

Never been frustred by a towing group like this.Never again

The drivers of this company have no regard for the rules of the road. One of their drivers drove in the wrong direction on the third lane of the highway almost causing a head on collision

Luckily I didn't have an emergency. Been on hold for 15 minutes now and no answer on their line. :/

One of The biggest towing and BPO companies in the country, they run a tight operation.

The first road tow truck did not follow instruction. I asked for it to be towed to Renew-it in Randburg. But they towed it to their yard instead. When I phoned they had all sorts of stories lying about where the car was. Very sneaky, would not use these guys again.

Firstly, thank you for Richard in his Ford bakkie towing vehicle [FX86JM GP] that took the time to help us in need. Our vehicle was damaged by those mindless, brain-dead rioters. They threw bricks through our windows. We tried to get back onto the M2 but it was blocked off by the police. Richard said we can follow him. He will show us the way via the N17. He took us right up to where the off-ramp is towards the N3. Thank you for your concern & help. We need more people like you in South Africa.

Beware of First Help drivers responding to calls for assistance. Speeding and reckless driving to provide a great response time. Family returning from a school sporting tournament almost taken out on Witkoppen. Driver clearly did not understand road rules.

Always so helpful, last year December I wrote my car off. These guys were the first on the scene they were not just concerned with towing the vehicle they made sure that we were all 100% okay before any mention of them even taking the vehicle.

I really appreciated the service given.

Bunch of scam artists, never use them for anything. Ever

What a disgusting company, as mention by numerous other ratings. I was in an accident on the 21 January 2021, where Firsthelp were first on the scene, assuring me that the cost of towing to their repair shop would not be a ridiculous amount, only to receive an invoice the following day of 10500 just for the towing and keeping it at a storage yard and not a repair shop as I was told would happen. Then I try and sort a payment plan out as I don't have the funds available due to loosing my job as a result of COVID, they tell me 'sorry we do not do nor accept any part payments and cannot help you'.
This is daylight robbery at it finest, I am shocked, disgusted and honestly have no idea how people can take advantage of those in vulnerable situations.