06 Jan 2011, 15:11
Hi All,
Sorry long
Not DeLorean related but I thought I would share a recent experience with the AA which made me quite angry and may serve as a warning to others.
1st off I have to say I have always been very happy with the AA's service and despite this recent event I will possibly maintain my membership.
Just before Chrismas (after the snow had cleared) I was driving my Fiesta in a queue of traffic at approximatly 10MPH and they was a clunk followed buy what sounded like bits of metal falling from the car, I pulled over and could see that the front passenger side wheel was tucked up into the wheel arch.
I suspected that the spring had collapsed (pretty common in modern cars according to many automotive publications) and the car was pretty undrivable (wheel was rubbing on the arch).
I called the AA (with whom I've been a member of 7 years non-stop) and told the lady that I had had a problem and when she asked me to describe the symptoms I said that I was driving along and suddenly the front suspension seemed to collapse, almost as if I had run over a pot hole.
I suggested that it was unlikly that it could be fixed by the roadside, foolishly I thought this was actually being helpful :roll: .
With out drawing breath the AA operator told me that I had been involved in an 'Road Traffic Accident' :o and that was not covered under the T&C's and that I would have to pay £104 for recovery. I was shocked but they had me in an impossible situation so I coughed up and a recovery vehicle arrived and took the car to a local garage.
Anyway I was determined that I hadn't had an accident later that evening I walked the road looking for debris or a pot hole and found nothing (I did find the missing half of my spring).
Anyway after a long debate back and forth with the AA who wanted me to prove that I hadn't been in an accident (which is near impossible when you think about it) I today managed to get them to refund my money.
It all hinged on the words in bold above "Almost as if" after much back and forth it came down to the fact that on their recording of the conversation I had said "as if", 2 words which ensured I received my money back.
So in summary
If you breakdown for any reason play dumb and don't suggest any cause for the breakdown.
Ironicly this will actually add to the AA's costs as they will send a patrol to you to try and fix it 1st which if it's major mechanical failure they won't be able to before sending the tow truck / low loader.
All sorted in the end but I am still angry that they effctivly will have had my money for almost 2 months!
James
Sorry long
Not DeLorean related but I thought I would share a recent experience with the AA which made me quite angry and may serve as a warning to others.
1st off I have to say I have always been very happy with the AA's service and despite this recent event I will possibly maintain my membership.
Just before Chrismas (after the snow had cleared) I was driving my Fiesta in a queue of traffic at approximatly 10MPH and they was a clunk followed buy what sounded like bits of metal falling from the car, I pulled over and could see that the front passenger side wheel was tucked up into the wheel arch.
I suspected that the spring had collapsed (pretty common in modern cars according to many automotive publications) and the car was pretty undrivable (wheel was rubbing on the arch).
I called the AA (with whom I've been a member of 7 years non-stop) and told the lady that I had had a problem and when she asked me to describe the symptoms I said that I was driving along and suddenly the front suspension seemed to collapse, almost as if I had run over a pot hole.
I suggested that it was unlikly that it could be fixed by the roadside, foolishly I thought this was actually being helpful :roll: .
With out drawing breath the AA operator told me that I had been involved in an 'Road Traffic Accident' :o and that was not covered under the T&C's and that I would have to pay £104 for recovery. I was shocked but they had me in an impossible situation so I coughed up and a recovery vehicle arrived and took the car to a local garage.
Anyway I was determined that I hadn't had an accident later that evening I walked the road looking for debris or a pot hole and found nothing (I did find the missing half of my spring).
Anyway after a long debate back and forth with the AA who wanted me to prove that I hadn't been in an accident (which is near impossible when you think about it) I today managed to get them to refund my money.
It all hinged on the words in bold above "Almost as if" after much back and forth it came down to the fact that on their recording of the conversation I had said "as if", 2 words which ensured I received my money back.
So in summary
If you breakdown for any reason play dumb and don't suggest any cause for the breakdown.
Ironicly this will actually add to the AA's costs as they will send a patrol to you to try and fix it 1st which if it's major mechanical failure they won't be able to before sending the tow truck / low loader.
All sorted in the end but I am still angry that they effctivly will have had my money for almost 2 months!
James
