AA- Only refund now if waive their liability. Data protection act. Breach? Misuse?

skarnott

The AA, i believe are taking advantage of the credit crunch and are they abusing the Data Protection Act? (A personal viewpoint/experience)

Im with the AA and they changed my tyre. I got a puncture on another tyre a few days later and tried to change it myself. I couldnt get the spare off because when they put the spare back thay chewed the thread and seized the bolt. I phoned them and as the car was outside my house and i dont have the extended cover that even though its their fault i had to pay £85.50 for them to come out then claim it back. After a lot of arguing i eventually paid and then phoned to get a refund. They said After speaking to both patrolmen it seems to be their fault and they offered me an immediate refund, on condition i WAIVE ALL LIABILITY ON THEIR PART TO A CLAIM FOR ANY DAMAGE THEY CAUSED! If not, no refund would be given and the offer withdrawn and i had to deal with the claims division, which could take weeks. After much haggling he eventually told me they make the offer because many peopleneed the money right away and will not bother about minor repairs and this frees them of responsibility and cost. I cant quite believe the underhandedness of this, to admit liability, but only offer a conditional immediate refund. Surely a refund (no mention of as an offer of goodwill) is an assumption of liability and further wasting my time with other depts, is that to put people off and taking the lower deal to save hassle. What else annoyed me was when i asked for the offer in writing he refused. I asked for his notes on the case and he refused. I brung up freedom of information etc and he said that was fine, hed get them to me if i requested it, but only if he edited it first as it was abbreviated. I asked for both the abbreviated and edited version and he refused. I asked him not to edit it until he got my letter and again he refused. Is this right? Eventually i got him tok agree not to edit it until my letter was put in so i can get both versions. Will see if i do. Can he refuse to send me out info i request it, personal or not? Any help would be great.
Thanks.

terryya

They can't refuse to send personal information out but they can (and will) charge you for it.

To be honest, if they've admitted it was their fault and sorted out the problem (which I presume they have) then I think getting a refund for the additional payment is fair and sensible for everyone.

Can't see how any of it is anything to do with the supply of credit!

Hintza

Seems ok to me, you were asked to waive any claim for him to process the refund. If you didn't want to do that then it needed to go to the claims department with your claim for damages.

It would then be processed there and your claim and possible refund would be dealt with together. From what I read in your story you wanted a refund with the option to go back for a second bite at the cherry later if you felt like it. If you feel there is a claim then gather the information and costs together and submit it. The danger is they might fight it so you have to way up the pros and cons.