The AA

[Singh]

As some of you know my car overheated and not wanting to take any chances with coolant emptying out of it I left it parked up. The AA sent out a 'local approved' recovery firm as they were busy who said they couldn't fix it and to call back to get a flat bed from the AA.

All the local garages I contacted after the usual local specialists including Revo/MRC weren't open again or couldn't get an appointment until the 4th Jan.

So asked the AA to flatbed the car to my house (10 mins away) then to a specialist on the 4th (20 mins away). The call centre workers said there is no way that they would do that, and have never done that for anyone. Fair enough, but the tone of voice and really can't be bothered attitude sucked, I spent a good amount of time trying to get them to do something for me remaining polite at all times to no avail. I told them that I couldn't leave the car where it had broken down as it was obstructing other cars and was in the perfect place for someone to skid on ice and crash into, never mind my insurance states that the car needs to be on my drive to be covered.

So what I ended up doing last night after getting ****ed off I rang again and said 'Fine, if you will only recover it once for the same fault. I need the car taken to a specialist that will be open tomorrow' They said this was 'No problem' untill they realised this specialist was a 3 1/2 hour drive away from where the car was. The lady had no choice but to put the recovery through.

Ten minutes later, I had two people call me one very senior begging me to let them take the car to my house and then to a local garage on the 4th instead. I told them to shove it now, and had they been more polite earlier I may have considered it.

So yesterday at 1AM it began its journey.

In my job, I have never said 'No, can't help you' I always try to explore other options or give someone a little hope in some way in whichever measly way possible even if it means me going out of my way.

The AA really let me down considering I have the works package with them. I'll forgive them for taking 50 minutes to answer the phone, but if you know your going to be busy. Why not get in more staff?

On the plus side, the car should be sorted today. Should be a good drive back.

Rant mode off.

[Singh]

It gets worse, I've been told it was something so basic that it could easily have been fixed at the road side. So I was left without a car for a whole week and need to make a huge journey to pick it up now paying for trains/fuel etc.!
Think I'll be writing a letter to the AA, not sure that they will take any notice but it may make me feel better.

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Show no mercy Amar. Go for a full refund of your annual subscription.

[E.L.M.O]

Hey Amar,

I feel for you bud. Been there with both AA and RAC.

RAC once left me strandard in Newqyuay (cornwall) after my car broke down and I had the top package with them. the reason they refused to recover, because me and my mates tried to fix the car ourselves before giving up and calling for assistance.

[Condor]

I shudder every time I have to use the RAC.....have been with them for years and only needed them 2 or 3 times......on each and every occasion they were supposedly "unprecedentedly busy" - yes, well, if you don't bother to employ enough patrols, then its always going to be like that, isn't it?

My S8 died on me on Wednesday evening, as per my other threads - I was "prioritised" by the RAC but still waited nearly 3 hours in a cold, dark car without any electrics working and me getting somewhat frantic and nervy as it got darker, mistier and colder, and the techie was desperate to get me home with the car as there was a "10 hour delay" for a breakdown low loader. No phone calls to update me, despite promises they would do so every hour or so, and a real couldn't care less attitude from the rotten call centre - they are truly complete rubbish, I guess the AA is no different. HUGE difference to the Mondial / BMW Emergency service only a few hours earlier, after my X5 developed a huge sudden oil leak (oil cooler blew apart at the seam) - they were fantastic, as was BMW -I got my X back today, fully repaired, not a penny to pay, and was given a Vauxhall Insignia 60-reg loaner via Avis courtesy of BMW Emergency while the X was in hospital.........

I may just stick with BMWs in future due to the excellent warranty service...... my S8 has never needed emergency attention in its 9 year life till now, but the RAC doesn't leave me feeling reassured about a decent recovery if things do go wrong....