When Dale Cardwell set out for a sunny beach day with his 91-year-old father in Florida, the last thing he expected was to uncover a valuable consumer lesson—and make a new friend along the way.

But that’s exactly what happened when their car suddenly broke down in the sweltering 90+ degree heat, leaving them stranded on the side of the road. As panic set in, the interaction that followed offered both a heartwarming reminder of human decency and a cautionary tale about what can go wrong when prices over the phone don't match reality on the ground.

So how do you know if a service provider is baiting you with a low price just to change the terms later? And what should you do if you're stuck in a vulnerable position with little room to negotiate?

Let’s break it down.

 

The Setup: When a Small Breakdown Could’ve Turned Into a Big Ripoff

It started with a dead car engine just minutes from the Florida coastline.

With his elderly father suffering in the heat, Dale flagged down a nearby police officer and asked if his dad could sit in the patrol car while he called for a tow. The officer agreed. A quick phone call later, the towing company quoted a $125 fee to take the vehicle 15 miles to his parents’ home.

 

Broken down and stranded on the roadside in 90+ degree Florida heat, Dale was desperate to keep his 91-year-old father safe (img source: iStock)

 

For a tow like that, $125 sounds pretty reasonable, right?

But once the tow truck arrived, the story changed. The driver suddenly said the price wouldn’t work—he hadn’t realized how far the job was. He told Dale that it was 15 miles out of his normal area, and therefore couldn’t honor the $125 quote.

It’s the kind of unexpected price change that many consumers have experienced: a reasonable quote that turns into something else when help finally arrives. At that moment, Dale had two choices—push back, or pay up and get his dad out of the heat.

 

The Twist: Not Every Price Change Is a Scam

Dale offered to double the fee on the spot. He was desperate, after all. But instead of capitalizing on that vulnerability, the driver paused and then countered: 

“No, $200 is fair.”

That was the moment Dale realized he wasn't being set up.

This wasn’t a scam artist using a price switch as leverage. This was a working professional who recognized the situation and tried to make it fair. In fact, he went a step further—he let Dale and his father ride in the tow truck cab to their destination, saving them from having to call a rideshare in the blazing heat.

On the ride back, they shared stories and laughs. By the end of the trip, Dale had not only gotten his father safely home—he’d made a friend in the most unexpected of places.

 

Instead of capitalizing on Dale’s vulnerability, the tow truck driver acted with integrity (img source: DALL-E)

 

The Takeaway: When to Trust, When to Walk Away

While this story had a happy ending, not every price change on the fly is so benign.

In fact, one of the most common forms of consumer manipulation is the bait-and-switch. You’re quoted a low number up front, but when the service provider arrives, the terms have changed—leaving you stuck with few options.

So how do you protect yourself?

  • Get quotes in writing whenever possible. A text or email confirmation can go a long way in disputes.
  • Ask detailed questions during the quote process. Make sure the company knows your location, the distance involved, and any special circumstances.
  • Know your rights. In Georgia and many other states, service providers must honor verbal agreements under certain conditions. If the price doubles without explanation, that’s a red flag.
  • Be prepared to walk. If it’s safe and feasible, take a moment to explore other options before agreeing to new terms on the spot.

As Dale puts it: 

“If the price suddenly balloons or doubles, you’re probably being set up. And if you can, take a pass and make another arrangement. It’s not worth losing a fortune over a miscommunication.”

 

The Human Element Still Matters

In an industry where horror stories of dishonest tow truck drivers and shady upcharges abound, it’s easy to become cynical. But this story reminds us that while bad actors exist, there are also professionals out there who still lead with integrity.

For more consumer protection tips and to find trustworthy service providers, visit TrustDALE.com. Our team verifies businesses so you can get the help you need—without the guesswork.

And next time you’re stranded in the heat, remember: not all heroes wear capes. Some drive tow trucks.