Pricing and Offers
Is Free Junk Car Towing Really Free?
“Free towing” is an easy thing to promise and an easy thing to ask about. You can settle it in a two-minute phone call, before any truck leaves the yard.
Here is what we mean by it, the exact words to use with any buyer, and the charges that a free tow can’t make disappear, such as a bill from a tow yard that already has your car.
Short answer
Our towing is free: you do not get a towing bill, and we pay cash at pickup. Distance is still one factor in the offer, and incomplete vehicles (a shell) may carry a pickup fee or may be declined. With any buyer, ask: “Is the amount you quoted what I get in my hand, with nothing taken off?”
What “free” should mean, and what we mean
Free towing can be understood in different ways, so it pays to be exact.
| Question | Our answer |
|---|---|
| Do you send me a bill for the tow? | No. Towing is free. |
| Does the car need to run? | No. We use flatbed tow trucks. |
| Does distance play into the offer? | Yes. Towing distance is one of the five things we weigh, along with year and model, condition, parts demand, and weight and size. So a long trip can show up in the offer even though you never pay for a tow. |
| Is there ever a fee? | Incomplete vehicles (a shell) may carry a pickup fee or may be declined. Tell us what is missing when you call, and we will tell you whether we can take it. |
We would rather explain that plainly than have you find out at the curb.
Exactly what to ask any buyer
These questions work on us and on anyone else. Ask them before you agree to a pickup, and write down the answers along with the person’s name and the date.
- “Is the towing free for this car at this address?”
- “Is the amount you quoted what I get in my hand at pickup?”
- “Is anything taken off, like a towing, fuel, dispatch, title or admin charge?”
- “If the wheels don’t roll, or the car is in a garage, does anything change?”
- “What would cause you to change the number when you get here?”
- “How do you pay, and when?”
A clear answer is a good sign. If you get a vague one, ask again in different words. If it is still vague, you can call someone else. Our 12 questions to ask goes further.
Get it down on paper
A phone call is easy to remember differently later. A short text or email fixes that. You could send this:
“To confirm: you are picking up my [year, make, model] from [address] on [day]. Towing is free. You will pay me [amount] at pickup, with nothing deducted, if the car is as I described it.”
If the buyer won’t confirm it, ask why. At pickup, read what you are given before you sign, and make sure the amount on any bill of sale is the amount in your hand. If the number drops at the curb, you do not have to go through with it; see what to do if the price drops at pickup. For how to handle the money itself, see how to take cash safely.
Charges a free tow does not cover
A free tow from a buyer covers that buyer’s truck. It does not wipe out other costs tied to the car.
| Situation | What to know | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Your car is in an impound or tow yard | Those are the yard’s charges. Under RCW 46.55.105, the last registered owner is presumed liable for removal, storage and disposal costs of an abandoned vehicle. | Car in a tow yard and impounded car |
| Your car is at a repair shop | The shop may have charges of its own. Sort those out with the shop first. | Junking a car at a repair shop |
| There is a loan on the car | A buyer’s tow does nothing to your loan balance. | Selling a car with a lien |
| Report of Sale | This is your filing with the state, not the buyer’s. DOL’s mail or in-person report calls for an $18 fee. | After you junk your car |
If you were charged anyway
Start with the buyer. Show them your note or text and ask for the difference back. Keep your bill of sale, messages and any photos.
If that goes nowhere, the Washington Attorney General takes consumer complaints online or at 1.800.551.4636. The office asks the business to reply within 30 days, and it says it “cannot compel” a business to respond or adjust. License problems can go to DOL’s complaint page. You can check a hauler’s license on DOL’s lookup and read about it in our license guide.
How it works with us
We come to you on a flatbed, whether the car is in a driveway, garage, apartment or condo lot, business lot or on the street. You get your cash at pickup, and we do not bill you for the tow. Read how it works, or call (206) 941-0612 and ask us the questions above.
Common questions
Official sources
- RCW 46.55.105: abandoned vehicles and owner liability
- Washington DOL: Sell a vehicle
- Washington Attorney General: File a complaint
- Washington DOL: File a complaint
- Washington DOL: Look up a business or professional license
This post summarizes official Washington guidance as of November 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees can change, so check the sources above for your situation.
Keep reading
- Washington Junk Car Seller’s GuideEvery guide, sorted by where you are in the decision
- Washington Junk Car Paperwork GuideThe documents you need before pickup
- Can You Sell a Car With Missing Parts?
- Does Mileage Matter When You Junk a Car?
- Sell a Junk Car Whole or Part It Out Yourself?
- How to Take Cash for a Junk Car Safely
- What to Do If a Junk Car Offer Feels Too Low
- How the Catalytic Converter Affects a Junk Car Offer
How we can help
4.9 out of 5 from 160 Google reviews · Licensed & insured · 20+ years in business
They made it so easy and fast! I called them gave them all the details and they came within the hour towed the car and gave us cash on the spot will definitely recommend them :)
Very fast service. The tow truck driver was very skilled at getting my SUV out of a tight spot. I appreciate how easy it was to work with this company. Highly recommend 💞
Fast same day service. I just had to make sure we had the title and the truck was clean and we were good to go! Thanks for getting rid of our old truck for free.
If you have any questions please call us at 206-941-0612