According to JD Power the RAC is the top breakdown service www.whatcar.co.uk/News_Article.asp?NA_ID=208976
This is the first time the RAC has been graded above the AA in the time that I can remember.
Its something that I would agree with, all my dealings with the AA have been a disaster while the RAC has been fantastic (even when I cancelled).
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I have absolutely no experience of RAC, but last year after a serious motorcycle accident in France I was left hanging by the AA. I had taken out 5* cover for my stag weekend, binned my bike in a French ditch, clinically died 3 times and the AA walked away from me on the grounds that I was "driving a motorcycle greater than 150cc"
They subsequently lost a large and well publicised lawsuit in the Irish courts and had to admit "administrative errors" and pay compensation as well as punitive and exemplary damages.
BUT, the bottom line was that they walked away from a seriously injured person, refues to pay any medical, towage, or repatriation expenses, and left me to fend for myself. Thankfully I had compentent friends with me who manged to sort things out by raising private funding for an air ambulance, etc, but God help anyone travelling solo.
BTW the exact details and references of the court case can be obtained by contacting me off board.
It always comes back to Caveat Emptor.
MickF
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I recently had a terrible experience with the AA, and will be moving to RAC when my membership expires.
The AA left me stranded on the M4 for >4 hours. I actually drove off the motorway with an empty radiator before they recovered me as I was starting to get the symptoms of hypothermia (seriously!). This was not on a bank-holdiday or weekend, just a normal day driving to work.
They do boast that they have more recovery vehicles than any other service, but that didn't make any difference when I needed them - counted 3 or 4 AA trucks passing me on the day but they obviously had something better to do. I was eventually passed on to a private contract recovery service. What's the point of being a member??
Just about the worst operators I have ever dealt with - argumentative and rude. Each time I phoned to ask what had happened (and I had to do all of the phoning) I was told that it would be another 30 minutes. It seemed I was being penalised for phoning at all.
Thought my treatment on the day was shocking, but the complaints department is even worse! Blamed just about everybody and everything before admitting they let me down - then assured me that complaints are taken 'very seriously'. Yeah, right.
Think it has all gone severely down hill since Centrica took over. I know an ex-patrolman and ex-operator who both left within 6 months of the takeover. I should have heeded their advice.
Was also a bit miffed that as a long-standing member I was paying more for my renewal each year than the price for a new customer on the internet. The fact I had been a member for years without needing them counted for zip.
I thought the AA was one of those 'constants' in life and was genuinely shocked that they could get it so wrong.
I would be very concerned if my family needed to rely on the AA at any time, let alone late at night etc, and that's why I will be leaving.
Did think to hand my card and a letter into Centica head office (just down the road from me) but I don't think this is a company that listens to customers.
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I haven't had to use them for a while - but my previous experience was less than happy 3+ hours to turn up.
They also charge if you break down more than 6 times in a year.
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Been a member for years and haven't any real complaints except that I have paid ot all that many and have only needed them twice. I like the fact they cover the member NOT the car and can fully understand why they might charge if you break down more than 6 times a year - in those circumstances what you need is a new car NOT the AA! A few years ago I had a 'mate' (ironically very well off but extremely tight) who ran an old banger and used to use the AA to excuse the fact he was too mean to pay for a proper service. It always got up my nose that he sought to abuse the service. In the end the AA got wise and he had the cheek to be miffed when they told him he'd have to pay.
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It was a Volvo that gave me all the problems one year ;-].
Been a member for years and haven't any real complaints I like the fact they cover the member NOT the car and can fully understand why they might charge if you break down more than 6 times a year - in those circumstances what you need is a new car NOT the AA!
Gone Japanese now and I have spent well over £800 on membership and haven't had to use them once.
A few years ago I had a'mate' (ironically very well off but extremely tight) who ran an old banger and used to use the AA to excuse the fact he was too mean to pay for a proper service. It always got up my nose that he sought to abuse the service. In the end the AA got wise and he had the cheek to be miffed when they told him he'd have to pay.
No doubt, as you say, I am subsidising your friend.
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We've been members of the RAC for about 6 years and have needed to call them out about 4 times. Always been pleased with the service. On one occasion they did contract the call out to a local garage but apparently they all do that when they're very busy. Afterall if you've broken down, I don't care who comes to my help.
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Presumably they advised you it would be somebody else who would turn up ? Could be a problem for a woman on her own if anybody can turn up and claim that the RAC have sent them.
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Presumably they advised you it would be somebody else who would turn up ? Could be a problem for a woman on her own if anybody can turn up and claim that the RAC have sent them.
I could be wrong but I think both the AA and RAC always send a patrolman to lone female drivers.
The biggest problem I've had with the AA is the apparent 10fold increase in junk mail/cold calls/spam mail I got when I joined up!
JaB
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I moved to GEM after the RAC kept upping their prices.
When I last checked, Neither the AA, RAC or M(N?)CI included recovery after an accident - this includes minimal things like accidently dropping a bike and snapping a clutch or gear lever.
Gem lets you (if you wish) pick your local recovery outfit or garage to fix or get you home.
Martin
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Which? magazine gave the AA the big thumbs up in a report a year or 18 months ago, about that time I left the RAC after 15 years as they had overcharged me for 2 years running on a credit card debit despite me checking a few days before they knew the service I required, if the evidence is there I would me more than happy to try the RAC again especially as they were much cheaper than the AA after a long service/no claim discount.
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I've always had good service from the AA (and wasn't ungrateful when I got the cash when they were bought out a few years back...) and I've found them a great deal more astute, diagnostically, and generally helpful than a few local main dealer servicers.
My only gripe is with the cost of it all, particularly since I haven't used them for a few years. As it is that they have updated various aspects of their operation, now they need to make a profit, isn't it about time they offered no claims discounts etc.?
Splodgeface
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Ah now, this is interesting. My dad has been an AA member since the 1950's and until last year had called them out only a handful of times in 50 years. Last year their Volvo developed an intermittent fault which leads to non-starting when warm. It went to main dealers twice and despite being kept in overnight on both occasions they cannot find any fault. AA now threaten to charge for callouts as they were called over 6 times last year. So much for 50 years of loyal continuous service. He's now seriously looking at the RAC but trouble is, as a new member, they also have a 6 callouts per year or we charge or suspend/throw you out. Solution is to sell the car, even Volvo UK washed their hands refering im back to main dealer. Personally I have been with the RAC for a few years, called them out twice to home after flat batteries (different cars) and they were reasonably prompt.
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It might be worth taking the car to an independent specialist and giving them a go. Main dealers aren't always the brightest as if there isn't a code showing on their code tester then they are often stumped.
I'd get your dad to write a complaint and point out his 50 year membership and how he thinks is rather rude of them to complain about several call outs when it is a genuine problem and not due to lack of maintenance. He should also tell them just how much he has paid them in membership fees over that 50 years too. I am sure it would also make a good article in the local rag's motoring section. How much business would they lose as a result of this kind of publicity? It will probably get lots of others to chime in too.
How much do they charge when you go over your 6? It might be cheaper to have a second cheap policy on the go if the call outs are happening too often.
teabelly
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I'm with Britania Rescue, which is owned by the CSMA. Their response times are excellent. They don't have their own vehicles, but use recovery agents. One agent told me that he likes doing jobs for Britania because they always pay him quickly. Keep the agents happy and you get a good service from them.
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I have only praise for the AA. But then that was when faced with a simple, old-fashioned car that wouldn't start. (turned out to have a stray, floating screw in the points that was causing shorting.) AA man spent 45 minutes tracking it down, until a cry of triumph at a rather bizarre fault.
Another AA man fitted a new windscreen-wiper motor for me, and set it up beautifully - it required a return visit, and he just dropped in to do it.
So nothing but praise. It does depend on the individual, and these were both older patrolmen who had obviously trained on cars like these.
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Now, if you 'like the company so much' you can buy it!
Centrica have announced that they intend to dispose of the AA, to concentrate on their core business/spend more time with their family, or something.
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I'm with Green Flag, have had no problems with them in the couple of times I've called them out in teh last three years.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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I have only called on the AA once and had good service, but what does worry me is if I had not broken down in normal working hours. I needed a new petrol pump and a new one was sourced from a factor about a mile away. If it had been at night or bank hoilday etc would they have been able to get one. Do they have depots which stocks items of that nature or would I have had to wait for overnight or even days for a replacement.
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I have only called on the AA once and had good service, but what does worry me is if I had not broken down in normal working hours. I needed a new petrol pump and a new one was sourced from a factor about a mile away. If it had been at night or bank hoilday etc would they have been able to get one. Do they have depots which stocks items of that nature or would I have had to wait for overnight or even days for a replacement.
I'm fairly sure they would find a motor factor, I know of 4 that are open 7 days a week in my local area at leats 2 of them I am certain that unless it was a very esoteric item would be able to help.
JaB
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2 years ago, head gasket went on M6, just as I was approaching Knutsford services at midnight, and I managed to make it to the services carpark. AA finally turned up at 0230. 2 1/2 hours to get to me was ridiculous. As the car had just been worked on by the VW garage in Stoke I asked them to recover it to Stoke but was told as the place wasn't open they would take me home to Manchester and get the car to Stoke the following day.
Made the call in the morning and was told I had to go to a local garage. The low-loader kept being delayed and eventually turned up 3 hours later than the advised time. Turns out he had come from their Stoke depot, to take me to Stockport, and was then returning to Stoke empty. To be fair to the patrol man, he offered to take me to Stoke against the instructions of control.
Am now with the VW free recovery service and once that expires I will probably go with anyone bar the AA.
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Oooohh, Don't get me started on the RAC.
23 year member - never had a call out.
Then called because clutch cable broke. Three and a half hours later still waiting. 3 or 4 calls to the call centre, nothing. Finally called them to say don't bother - got a friend to come and tow me home.
2 months later, car broken into - wires pulled from steering column. Called again. Same routine. After 4 hours I phoned them and told them not to bother. called a local auto leccy company who came and got me going in about 20 minutes.
3 or 4 months later, got the renewal notice. They wanted to charge me sixty quid extra because I had had 2 call-outs in the year. I tried my best to explain that I didn't actually get any call-outs at all - but to no avail. So I cancelled.
Went to AA - amazed how much cheaper they were for the same service! After 23 years nobody from RAC even called to ask why I had not renewed?
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This was some time ago and not specifically on topic, but very funny!
My Auntie drove an old banger that had something terminally wrong with i, and while they were driving from Devon to Rochdale it broke down twice. Both times they called the AA, and got it going again. (Auntie mortally embarrassed at this point...)
"Ah ha!" thinks my Dad, a chance for a practical joke. Out comes the computer / scanner / printer and he knocks out a letter "from" the AA saying that due to the high number of breakdowns she must telephone them before setting off on any journey, so they can have a patrol van stay close behind. If she doesn't ring, she risks being thrown out of the AA etc.
Auntie, of course, takes it completely to heart and tells neighbours, shopkeepers, local radio etc until it twigs that it was a joke...
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I find the earlier post about the AA leaving Mick in a ditch absolutely horrendous and for that reason will NEVER go with them. I understand that everyone may have a bad experience but this thread seems to rip into the AA. I thought the AA was the best service but after reading this...
I'm with Green Flag and after my car ...ahem....locked itself with the engine running I called G.F. Anyway - you could tell the bloke was dying to laugh but managed to tell me through the sniggers that they'd send out a company (who I later learnt were very prominent throughout the Northwest). The man came very soon after but I was at home so it wasn't really a problem waiting. Goes up to the car, opens it, job's a goodun'.
Made up with Green Flag but hope I don't need them!
Cheers
Adam
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