Benny's Power — Local services in Chester

Relocated to Vermont from N.C. this past September. I was headed to Weston from Rutland. My car hit black ice on route 155 in Mount Holly a few minutes before 2:30pm. My husband was coming to pull my car out with the winch on his truck. By the time he got to my car the car was missing. I had to call 911 and let them know it was non-emergent and that my car was missing. After several transfers, Rutland police let me know that Benny’s had my car. I made a call to Benny’s after hours and got ahold of their guy they had on call. He informed me that a standard call to get a car towed is $175 but due to state police calling in my car would be a bit more. My husband and I the next day came in around noon. Steve Green (a sorry excuse for a manager; lack of respect, condescending and an out right liar) told me it would be $475 for me to get my car. I was in shock - complete disbelief. He dropped it to $275 when I explained my situation but trust me when I say he was so unpleasant. He then proceeded to tell me that if I came back to pay that day and he wasn’t there it would be a different rate because he doesn’t control what the next guy does. I told him if that were the case then I’d let my attorney deal with it. That didn’t set well with him so he called the store owner and smirked as he handed me the phone. I explained to Kim my situation, what his pricing was, etc. She was very kind and I expressed my complaints but also with understanding. I truly wish I could’ve dealt with her this entire ordeal. She dropped the price to $250. It wasn’t a matter of me getting the lowest price but I didn’t want to be charged more than necessary. No one does in ANY situation. I left to go retrieve the money. I was instructed to call and verify with state police that they did in fact call benny’s about my car. To my surprise, Bob from Benny’s called them about my car. The sergeant that was on duty gave them permission to go ahead and retrieve my car. I called the store back and explained to Steve Green what I had found out. Let him know that I was on my way back to the store and he would have more to tell me when I got there. When I arrived he proceeded to tell me that the information I gave him wasn’t true that it was the other way around. I have the direct line to Kate at the State Police if you want to verify my statement. I just told Steve Green that I didn’t want to be wrongfully charged. He then walked over towards the back and called Kim. He proceeded to tell her that I was there, didn’t have the money and didn’t want to pay. I have NEVER in my life experience someone flat out lie and be so incredibly rude and condescending towards my character. When he came back from the call I looked at him and said it’s very rude of you to assume that I don’t have the money and I’m not here to pay.. because I’m here to pay. His demeanor changed but was still arrogant and very rude. After I paid he received a phone call from Bob. Steve Green told him he already had it handled my guess was Bob was finally returning Steve Green’s call about the statement I had made) He proceeded to try and gather the information from Bob to look it up himself to just prove he was right. Said sarcastically to Bob that I was right and he was wrong. Also added how I called him rude. Which I then said to him your mother must be proud. I was never rude to this man, I was calm and kind trying to settle this. The same tone I had with Kim on the phone was the same tone and demeanor I had with Steve Green. Steve Green told me he’d been working for 30 years and no ones ever called him rude.. must be that North Carolina air I was breathing. I have physical evidence and copies of both receipts given to me. Tell me how $305 for towing and $155 for having my car for less that 24 hours equals $475. How you originally wrote $65 for impound but wrote over it with $75. You may have thought with my N.C. tags I would’ve paid a pretty penny to get my car. You, Steve Green were SADLY mistaken. Everything I encountered is going to the proper channels. I wouldn’t recommend...

Popped a tire and the guy ...not sure of his name....came out within his 45 min window...I'll give him that...that's where it went downhill....he didn't bring a jack or so he said ...come to find out later he did after he got frustrated with ours which is why we called to begin with cuz we knew our jack was missing a part...he couldn't get the lug nuts off so my disabled father did it for him ...hurting himself in the process....it was -10 out during all this btw...he then told me (whispered) to me that my dad doesn't have to be such a dck ...which he wasnt...he simply asked the guy well told him that he should have come with more tools and that NO we would not let him tow us so he could do the tire at his shop... (where would me my mom and dad go) if the guy towed....no room for us ....he just all around was rude...he threatened to put the car down and leave till I flirted with him a bit which calmed him down a tad ....so long story made short ....yea guy sorry it was cold out but don't call ure customers dcks.... don't come unprepared ....and learn how to change a tire and don't have ure customers do it for u...will be calling my insurance to let them know they should not be using him ....I'm sorry to give a bad review when it seems like u have mainly really good ones....but one man can ruin a reputation unfortunately. ...I don't know if he was just an employee but if he was I'd get rid of him ...or teach him some manners and how to change a...

Blew out a tire driving over a piece of metal that ripped a hole in the left front tire mid-Friday afternoon. No spare in the car and no AAA (not my car, but I had the cellphone to get the situation sorted). Always exciting when you are out in a rural area and a situation like this arises!

I understand that we were lucky with our timing, but I can’t overstate how kind everyone was when I started calling around to sort the situation (tow, transport and tire needed). The people I talked to all used common sense to figure out where we were, what we needed, and who was the most sensible local business to help us out. Great attitude of community “networking” to deploy the local resources. Benny’s came to us after another local company realized the logistics wouldn’t work for them—and call out to J & M Auto, who personally called over to Benny’s to make sure we were taken care of.

The people at Benny’s were great. Picked us up less than half an hour after the call, and instead of driving us an hour+ out of the way, they were able to figure out a workable solution in their own shop. And—they were fast. The mechanic who switched out the tire had the best attitude and was so kind.

Traveling with an 89 year old and a dog isn’t always the easiest. The crew at Benny’s were caring, fuss-free, and got us back on the road for a more-than-fair price. Thank you, guys, for uncomplicating...