> she tells me she's seen that tow car waiting seemingly for us for several hours

FWIW, at least in the U.S. it's common for tow truck operators to wait alongside various roads. Breakdowns are predictable and service is faster if the operator is already nearby. It's not like the driver has anything better to do during his shift.

That doesn't mean you weren't overcharged or even scammed. Really can't say without more information.