Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: TheBoy on 09 November 2023, 11:17:41
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Renewal is due soon, and the AA are taking the piss, rather predictably. And I point blank refuse to use RAC, given the last 3 times I've called them in the last 30 years.
What are you boys and girls using?
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Green flag, £78 per year
(https://i.ibb.co/bmtTMfQ/IMG-1081.png) (https://ibb.co/h90bJqL)
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Renewal is due soon, and the AA are taking the piss, rather predictably. And I point blank refuse to use RAC, given the last 3 times I've called them in the last 30 years.
What are you boys and girls using?
These little shits are asking me to renew on the 29/11.
They wouldn't even pick the phone up when I needed them last year, so they can go f*uck themselves.
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The new Mexican comes with 3 years of BMW assist (which is supposedly similar to the AA/RAC)
No idea if they are any good.
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Mines due 31/12/23
As usual they take the p*ss at renewal time., last year I dint bother renewing as I was given free RAC cover with my car insurance. How ever a customer services agent rang me to discuss my renewal, end result lots of discount and paid the cheapest renewal in 6 years.
Personally I would wait and when they make contact just haggle politely and quote the price new members would pay. ::)
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My other point that I make with the breakdown companies is if we dont use them why dont we get a NCD as a bonus. :y
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Green Flag, never had any problems when I've needed them.
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I use via a reward current account, the family phone cover, plus breakdown works well for us, been good responses the times its been needed.
Had to upgrade once to get a tow all the way home, but I knew that before hand and decided if the day ever came the savings had more than paid for it!
Been the AA and the RAC and both been fine to be honest.
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Green Flag, never had any problems when I've needed them.
I'm tempted but who do they use?
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I use via a reward current account, the family phone cover, plus breakdown works well for us, been good responses the times its been needed.
Had to upgrade once to get a tow all the way home, but I knew that before hand and decided if the day ever came the savings had more than paid for it!
Been the AA and the RAC and both been fine to be honest.
I've found the service from the AA to be mediocre at best. The RAC being so piss poor they are not fit for purpose. :-\
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I'm tempted but who do they use?
Local companies
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I'm tempted but who do they use?
Local companies
That doesn't sound great especially if the owner of the local repair facility is away on holiday or down the pub.
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Looks like Green Flag only covers cars up to 15 years old.
My highly desirable classic Vauxhall is just short of her 17th birthday. :)
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Been with Autoaid for years and found them pretty good when Ive needed them. Seen some recommendations recently for Autonational and 2gether who I had never heard of before.
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I'm with May Day ie the Caravan Club's deal with Green Flag.
I think I paid around £120 but it covers the caravan if that has a fault (Green Flag etc only recover your caravan when hitched up & the fault is with the tow vehicle) it's personal cover for both of us & we'd get a driver if I couldn't drive .... no way would SWMBO tow
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I'm tempted but who do they use?
Local companies
That doesn't sound great especially if the owner of the local repair facility is away on holiday or down the pub.
there'll be more than 1 local comapany ::)
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A few things to consider:
If you're expecting a man to turn up with a van full of tools and the time to spend working on the fault, join the AA or RAC. Just don't expect that service after about 19:00 hours, because then you'll get the same contractors every other service uses.
Those contractors vary in ability. They're not paid very much, they're probably not as local as you think, margins are so tight they squeak and you are not their customer. Draw your own conclusions.
Those contractors work for most of the services, at the same time. They might have people sitting around waiting for work when your job comes in. They're much more likely to have several jobs lined up for each driver.
The bigger, older service providers that everyone has heard of do still care about their reputations, and at least try to give good service. The newer, smaller ones are a real crapshoot. Some them are oppsing useless - one I did work for was so bad that I never had a job that they didn't cause problems from the moment they sent us the job to reluctantly paying the invoice.
If your vehicle is covered by the manufacturer's warranty, then most jobs are going to be a simple return to whatever dealer is nearest. The contractor who collects your car has nothing to do with the courtesy replacement. Actually, that's not quite accurate; the courtesy replacement procedure often doesn't start until your car is removed!
Don't expect a single recovery of more than a couple of hundred miles. There are excellent reasons, both for you and the workers, why this is the case.
I've been an AA customer(and member before the sell-off) since I was 18, and have never had bad service apart from their renewal policy. If I was going to choose another provider it would be National Breakdown, but that's based on experiences from several years ago.
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I'm tempted but who do they use?
Local companies
Not for about 15 years! - South London, Kent, Surrey and most of Sussex are all done by a company based in Croydon. The south coast is covered by another from Brighton.
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Been with Autoaid for years and found them pretty good when Ive needed them. Seen some recommendations recently for Autonational and 2gether who I had never heard of before.
If I told you what I think of those, the swear filter would melt and TB would need new computers ::)
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I'm tempted but who do they use?
Local companies
That doesn't sound great especially if the owner of the local repair facility is away on holiday or down the pub.
there'll be more than 1 local comapany ::)
No, but they used to use an accurate definition of local
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I'm tempted but who do they use?
Local companies
Not for about 15 years! - South London, Kent, Surrey and most of Sussex are all done by a company based in Croydon. The south coast is covered by another from Brighton.
I've had a local recovery place turn up to me within the past 15 yrs ;)
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Renewal is due soon, and the AA are taking the piss, rather predictably. And I point blank refuse to use RAC, given the last 3 times I've called them in the last 30 years.
What are you boys and girls using?
These little shits are asking me to renew on the 29/11.
They wouldn't even pick the phone up when I needed them last year, so they can go f*uck themselves.
Finally managed to speak with an 'actual person' at the RAC based in India (or similar)
Explained that I was not happy with their service, or lack of it.
They have offered.....
15 months for the price of 12 complete with Roadside Rescue.....Recovery...At Home.....Onward Travel for the duration.
Cost £77.
Seems good value if they CBA to answer the phone and turn up.
I will consider their offer as renewal is 29/11.
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Green flag, £78 per year
Is that for a single person and or car, or joint, or multiple cars?
My concern with Green Flag is what Nick W used to say when he was a recovery man....
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The bigger, older service providers that everyone has heard of do still care about their reputations, and at least try to give good service.
The RAC clearly don't. Last time it took them 7hrs to turn up to tell me what I needed to know, then left me on the side of a dark road for 6 hours without a car, and would happily of left me there all night.
Hence currently with the AA. But the cost has risen from under £90 (joint personal cover) to well over £150. Which is getting a bit silly.
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The bigger, older service providers that everyone has heard of do still care about their reputations, and at least try to give good service.
The RAC clearly don't. Last time it took them 7hrs to turn up to tell me what I needed to know, then left me on the side of a dark road for 6 hours without a car, and would happily of left me there all night.
Hence currently with the AA. But the cost has risen from under £90 (joint personal cover) to well over £150. Which is getting a bit silly.
I didn't say the RAC succeed!
The truth about what you pay is that it's about a third of what it ought to be. Which is one of the reasons why the actual service you receive has got consistently and progressively worse over the last 25 years.
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Green flag, £78 per year
Is that for a single person and or car, or joint, or multiple cars?
My concern with Green Flag is what Nick W used to say when he was a recovery man....
Single car.
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My neighbour has just had his Class 7 LWB Transit recovered from Ilfracombe (208 miles) in one hit by Britannia. He paid thirty odd quid for recovery as part of his LV vehicle insurance. I’ve no idea what it would be separately or for multi-car but my neighbour was impressed with the service and couldn’t praise them enough. :y
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Been with Autoaid for years and found them pretty good when Ive needed them. Seen some recommendations recently for Autonational and 2gether who I had never heard of before.
If I told you what I think of those, the swear filter would melt and TB would need new computers ::)
I can only speak from experience with Autoaid. Used them four times. They send out local recovery to take me home which is just what I want.
Shortest wait was 20 minutes. Longest approx. 100 minutes.
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Don't expect a single recovery of more than a couple of hundred miles. There are excellent reasons, both for you and the workers, why this is the case.
One of my kit car mates broke down in Glencoe once. IIRC, he was with the RAC who sent a local company out. They loaded his car up and drove back to his home in Egham in one hit whereby he gave the driver a cup of tea and he headed back off up to Scotland! :-X
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Don't expect a single recovery of more than a couple of hundred miles. There are excellent reasons, both for you and the workers, why this is the case.
One of my kit car mates broke down in Glencoe once. IIRC, he was with the RAC who sent a local company out. They loaded his car up and drove back to his home in Egham in one hit whereby he gave the driver a cup of tea and he headed back off up to Scotland! :-X
That sort of thing was why the AA & RAC used to farm out long recoveries to contractors, who used the recovery tacho exemption to do them. Their own drivers stayed within the rules for some reason ::)
The furthest I went was Wallasey, starting at what should have been the end of my day. Dropped her of about 30minutes into my birthday.
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www.rescuemycar.com
I think I paid about £55 for any car personal cover, but you pay a £40 excess if you call them. Your card details are the first thing they ask for. ::)
I haven't called them out for a few years now, but every time I have someone has turned up quite quickly and recovered me home without fuss. :y
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Just renewed mine with Autonational Rescue. It was even a quid cheaper than last year. The only time i've needed them they were very good.
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My neighbour has just had his Class 7 LWB Transit recovered from Ilfracombe (208 miles) in one hit by Britannia. He paid thirty odd quid for recovery as part of his LV vehicle insurance. I’ve no idea what it would be separately or for multi-car but my neighbour was impressed with the service and couldn’t praise them enough. :y
My Mk2 Granada rad gave out just as we got to Ilfracombe, years ago now. Dad was in RAC and it covered any car he was in. Ford dealers in Barnstable didn't have a correct replacement so arranged recovery for when our weeks holbobs was over. A local firm turned up, On a Hill garage , Combe Martin. Drove back to Suffolk, unloaded car and straight back to Devon. Didn't even stop for a cuppa. :D. Poor sod did miss a Moto X event he was due to ride in though. Still, Dad did give him a bloody good tip. :)
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Green flag, £78 per year
Is that for a single person and or car, or joint, or multiple cars?
My concern with Green Flag is what Nick W used to say when he was a recovery man....
Single car.
OK, cheers. Probably around the same price as what the AA want then.
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www.rescuemycar.com
I think I paid about £55 for any car personal cover, but you pay a £40 excess if you call them. Your card details are the first thing they ask for. ::)
I haven't called them out for a few years now, but every time I have someone has turned up quite quickly and recovered me home without fuss. :y
I think I have used them for single trip euro trips before, though didn't actually have to use them.
Having a quick look, looking at joint personal cover for me and 'er indoors, it seems to want car details for one car, but quotes different depending what car I enter....
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www.rescuemycar.com
I think I paid about £55 for any car personal cover, but you pay a £40 excess if you call them. Your card details are the first thing they ask for. ::)
I haven't called them out for a few years now, but every time I have someone has turned up quite quickly and recovered me home without fuss. :y
I think I have used them for single trip euro trips before, though didn't actually have to use them.
Having a quick look, looking at joint personal cover for me and 'er indoors, it seems to want car details for one car, but quotes different depending what car I enter....
Yes strange that for any car personal cover they want to quote on a particular car. I guess the quote is based on your daily drive. :-\
Just go with the cheaper car. :y
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If your vehicle is covered by the manufacturer's warranty, then most jobs are going to be a simple return to whatever dealer is nearest. The contractor who collects your car has nothing to do with the courtesy replacement. Actually, that's not quite accurate; the courtesy replacement procedure often doesn't start until your car is removed!
This is not correct, we for instance have specific training and JLR diag kit in the recovery agents hands, its not unusual to get a software update and valid repair at the roadside. They also get priority cars from the dealers for recovered vehicles, I would say the manufacturers cover can be breakdown cover ++ :y
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www.rescuemycar.com
I think I paid about £55 for any car personal cover, but you pay a £40 excess if you call them. Your card details are the first thing they ask for. ::)
I haven't called them out for a few years now, but every time I have someone has turned up quite quickly and recovered me home without fuss. :y
I think I have used them for single trip euro trips before, though didn't actually have to use them.
Having a quick look, looking at joint personal cover for me and 'er indoors, it seems to want car details for one car, but quotes different depending what car I enter....
Yes strange that for any car personal cover they want to quote on a particular car. I guess the quote is based on your daily drive. :-\
Just go with the cheaper car. :y
I'll sort some quotes from it nearer the time I need it, and ponder. Then decide, being a Jaaaaaaagg owner, do I want to take the option with or without excess ;D.
Obviously, if when I tell the AA to sling their hook they come back with a sensible offer, that changes the dynamic a bit.
Green Flag want £120 per person for personal coverage, so despite their adverts, are massively more expensive than either the AA or the RAC. Mongrels.
I could rejoin the CSMA I suppose if their breakdown partner is competitive....
Decisions decisions
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CSMA provider is Britannia Rescue. My experience from the sharp end is they were the one that caused the least problems to us doing their work - things like not having to wait 90 minutes for authorisation to recover the car that were common with others. According to my boss, they also paid promptly....
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I can't give any feedback on the providers I've used in the past, I've never needed them. :)
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I joined AA back in 1984 then some years ago now[I forget how many] I cancelled that membership as I got it through my bank account along with phone insurance and travel insurance.Only used them three times in all those years,last time was when the crank sensor failed on the Omega,they didn't have one of course so towed me home[it was only a mile or so].It's personal cover with roadside and recovery,not sure it has home start but that doesn't bother me if the car doesn't start when at home as it can stay put until I fix it.
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When my mum broke down in her Seat they came quick as at 87 she is priority, diagnosed in 1/2 hr but took an hour for recovery to her house.
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I joined AA back in 1984 then some years ago now[I forget how many] I cancelled that membership as I got it through my bank account along with phone insurance and travel insurance.Only used them three times in all those years,last time was when the crank sensor failed on the Omega,they didn't have one of course so towed me home[it was only a mile or so].It's personal cover with roadside and recovery,not sure it has home start but that doesn't bother me if the car doesn't start when at home as it can stay put until I fix it.
We used to get ours through our bank account until we realised commuting wasn't included. What fickin use is that?
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If you just want national recovery so you can sort out problems yourself then try Start Rescue - about £40-£50 and covers the car whoever is driving.
Beware some companies that offer national recovery have clauses in the small print that say they either recover you OR pay a small contribution to a night in a hotel, at their discretion. You can guess which they might choose.
Almost all companies won't recover you if the problem is caused by an accident. 'Start' do cover accidents.
I used to use Rescue My Car - also good but have a call out charge.
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If you just want national recovery so you can sort out problems yourself then try Start Rescue - about £40-£50 and covers the car whoever is driving.
Beware some companies that offer national recovery have clauses in the small print that say they either recover you OR pay a small contribution to a night in a hotel, at their discretion. You can guess which they might choose.
Almost all companies won't recover you if the problem is caused by an accident. 'Start' do cover accidents.
I used to use Rescue My Car - also good but have a call out charge.
Thanks, though by the time both cars are on, it's not that cheap. We prefer the person cover rather than car cover, especially as we frequently have more than 2 cars between the pair of us!
Rescue My Car you can pay around £20 more and not have to pay the £40 excess, which is food for thought.
I have about a month to decide ;D
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Topcashback currently offering 20% off Resuce My Car and 15% off Start Rescue.
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12748325/Businesswoman-fined-council-van-enters-Clean-Air-Zone-pick-truck-breaking-down.html
;D
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12748325/Businesswoman-fined-council-van-enters-Clean-Air-Zone-pick-truck-breaking-down.html
;D
Probably why you often see the number plate of the recovered vehicle with tape over it while it's sat on the recovery truck.
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12748325/Businesswoman-fined-council-van-enters-Clean-Air-Zone-pick-truck-breaking-down.html (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12748325/Businesswoman-fined-council-van-enters-Clean-Air-Zone-pick-truck-breaking-down.html)
;D
Probably why you often see the number plate of the recovered vehicle with tape over it while it's sat on the recovery truck.
You're not supposed to show more than one number plate at any time, so the recovered vehicle ought to be covered whenever it's on the truck. Nobody actually bothers doing this without additional good reasons.
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The RAC's reputation suffers another blow ;D
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-12779003/My-car-broke-RAC-LOST-CRANE-CASE.html
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Been an AA member almost the whole time since owning a car.
Only had an issue in 2001 when my Omega 3.0 of the time broke down in Manchester with jammed A/C compressor. Waited for almost 2.5 hours for an AA sub-contracted mechanic to arrive. Then waited another 1.5 hours for an AA relay truck to turn up and my earderly parents and I back to Southam in Warwickshire, arriving there at 0130 hours.
Very unhappy, so complained to AA who promptly refunded my whole year's membership fee.
Never had another problem with the AA.
The other week I had the alternator problem with the Omega 3.2 after just completing a local journey. Called the AA and a friendly man arrived 20 minutes after initial phone call and diagnosed the problem. Helped me get the car into my garage tlawait a booking at my local Vx dealer. On the morning of the garage appointment another very friendly and helpful AA man turned up at the appointed time and fitted a temporary battery to last long enough for me to take the car to the Vx dealer. Once there, took thier battery off and offered to take me back home.
All for no charge beyond my usual membership fee.
Staying with the AA.
For one company Carlton we had RAC cover. It broke down with a snapped cam belt on the M4 40 miles from home in Bristol. Sat beside the motorway for almost 2 hours, only for them to tow me to a service centre. From there a sub-contracted truck relayed us all to home. So after about 4.5 hours we eventually got home. Complained, but no compensation.
No, I will be sticking with the AA.
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Gem motoring assist has worked for us over the years. Two people, whatever normal car or bike we happen to be driving.
Guess it depends on the agent used. Called them three times in probably 15 years. Normally quick response, but often prefer to drag it onto a flatbed rather than fix it.
Omega - carried home, even when I put the new crank sensor in his hand. To be fair it was blocking a dark narrow lane and stopped over a puddle)
Wife’s Pug - exhaust put back in place with zip ties. Probably because he couldn’t get the recovery truck into the multi-storey.
Nissan Patrol, recovered 30 miles after misfuelling (not by me)
I think the price even went down this year by a couple of quid
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Some good black friday deals - just renewed mine and went with RAC this year.
Car not person, national recovery:
Start Rescue wanted £46 renewal
RAC £38.25 (after £25 topcashback)
AA £48 after cashback
Also got cheap quotes for Emergency Assist (£27.39) and Rescue My Car (£24.85) but on checking their small print their 'national recovery' is a joke - its their decision whether to do it or give you a contribution to accomodation. Rescue My Car wouldn't recover you to your home if your destination was nearer! Those clauses are new and disappointing, Rescue My Car used to be a good breakdown company.
If you want personal cover rather than car cover it was £5 or so more.
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Just renewed my car insurance. Ignoring the fact that it's doubled for no apparent reason beyond 'because it can' >:( I have European RAC cover included for £36 and I have AA cover via my bank, so pretty well covered.
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Some good black friday deals - just renewed mine and went with RAC this year.
Just checking if there is still a hole in my backside, because whilst there is, I ain't going with the RAC. Its faster and less effort tops the car home than wait for those retards to get you recovered.
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Called out the RAC a week ago - no crank on my Merc CL500, 1/2 mile from home.
I can't believe how much the RAC have declined (as TB warned!). Help line is crap - you need a computer or smart phone with internet connection to just log a call, otherwise they make it very difficult to do it just by voice phone.
Warning message on phone line wait gives it away - "RAC won't tolerate abuse of its employees blah blah.. may refuse to provide the contracted service etc.." Sure give away that they are crap and they know it.
Waited 6 hours for a 'mechanic'. Luckily not a big issue for me as I could walk home and wasn't in a hurry. Very nice youth, we got on well but he'd been on duty since noon and wouldn't finish till midnight. He didn't contribute anything that I didn't already know. Didn't attempt any repair. His scanner was crap - didn't even pick up the faults mine did. They use 'Haynes' manuals - these are not the ones from my youth, they are all online now. His 'Haynes' didn't know which fuse or relays were involved with the starter - info I already had from a simple internet search.
He decided to ignore all his own warnings about towing and towed me home 1/2 mile rather than call in a pick up truck. We went very slowly but I hope my trans is OK. He was so tired he forgot his expensive RAC tow bar and would have left it if I hadn't noticed it standing against a wall.
He recounted how RAC has changed and they take ages to get to customers, who are then understandably irate with him.
It seems they have been taken over by Private Equity and are the process of being asset (and reputation) stripped.
I only use these breakdown services for national recovery so I don't expect any actual assistance apart from that. Normally I would just use RescueMyCar or Start Rescue but went with RAC because it was cheaper this year.
Frankly I'd rather go with a simple 'no repairs, we'll just send a pick up truck' which couldn't have been slower.
Incidentally was in ATS a few days ago to get an exhaust on SWMBO's car and a couple came in with a nice new VW beetle - "Tire pressure monitor keeps flagging a low tire, we don't know which one it is and annoyingly it won't tell us", "No problem sir we'll check them all for you." ATS proceeded to put the car on ramp and check every tyre. God knows what it cost. How difficult is it to buy/use a tyre pressure gauge??? These are the sort of people who need what RAC purport to offer (and don't). Would they notice?
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Sorry to hear of the hassle they caused, good job you were near home.
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I'm with Mayday through the caravan club ( green flag ) covers everything ,used them a couple of weeks ago to get take the Range Rover to my indi , I didn't want to drive it to Peterborough as it was losing brake fluid, rang them up explained the problem & a low loader arrived within the hour excellent service from them.
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He decided to ignore all his own warnings about towing and towed me home 1/2 mile rather than call in a pick up truck. We went very slowly but I hope my trans is OK. ....
it's ok to tow an auto 1/2 mile :y
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He decided to ignore all his own warnings about towing and towed me home 1/2 mile rather than call in a pick up truck. We went very slowly but I hope my trans is OK. ....
it's ok to tow an auto 1/2 mile :y
Upto a certain speed.
In theory you can tow start an auto but you need to have your wits about you.
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He decided to ignore all his own warnings about towing and towed me home 1/2 mile rather than call in a pick up truck. We went very slowly but I hope my trans is OK. ....
it's ok to tow an auto 1/2 mile :y
Upto a certain speed.
In theory you can tow start an auto but you need to have your wits about you.
These things are all possible. But actual data relating to distances or speeds that are safe is lacking.
Which is why not towing automatics is the sensible, rational approach.
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He decided to ignore all his own warnings about towing and towed me home 1/2 mile rather than call in a pick up truck. We went very slowly but I hope my trans is OK. ....
it's ok to tow an auto 1/2 mile :y
Upto a certain speed.
In theory you can tow start an auto but you need to have your wits about you.
These things are all possible. But actual data relating to distances or speeds that are safe is lacking.
Which is why not towing automatics is the sensible, rational approach.
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Absolutely right, I requested a low loader for the RRS as it was automatic & the manual states should not be towed, no quibble at all from Mayday ( Green Flag)
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He decided to ignore all his own warnings about towing and towed me home 1/2 mile rather than call in a pick up truck. We went very slowly but I hope my trans is OK. ....
it's ok to tow an auto 1/2 mile :y
Upto a certain speed.
In theory you can tow start an auto but you need to have your wits about you.
unlikely to be very fast if it's only for 1/2 a mile ::)