The Automobile Association - a long journey

SilasMarner

Hi. This a long story - interested to know if anyone has had a similar experience. Please bear with me.

• A.A. breakdown cover due for renewal - been a member since '83. New cards come. Price £210.00 - including all whistles and bells. Checked other offers and easily could get the same cover elsewhere for £130:00. Phoned the A.A's "Are you thinking of leaving us" line. Certainly they can do it, for such a valued customer, for £129:00. Asked for it in writing. No problem they say.
• Nothing in writing but another 2 cards turn up with a price of £210:00 Phoned them up. Definitely £129:00. Asked for it in writing. No problem. Nothing comes.
• Phoned them again - "Can I have it writing". Very sorry and no problem. They will send me an E mail. E mail comes quoting price of £129:00. Phew.
• Then, another two cards come through the post. (I've got 6 now!) Price quoted is £210:00
• Phoned them up. Yes it's a "Computer problem - please destroy the other four cards. Definitely £129:00 will be debited on due date of 1st May."
• 5th May - nothing debited at all.

I wonder if I should cancel the direct debit in case - I am debited
3 x £210:00 plus 1x £129:00 at some unknown stage.

If you are still with me here - thanks! Trouble is - the guys on the road are excellent and that's why I have persisted!

AA_Watch

I was quite satisfied with my basic breakdown covers for three years but then some bright spark decided to sell me Breakdown repair cover in April 2009. I wondered why the renewals were increasing! I would be pleased to hear from anyone else who obviously had Roadside anyway but then an invitation in the post requiring cancelling because they could not remember a sales call.
I too am going to the Ombudsman and the FSA responded to my finding of someone else who found himself with the same problem. So do you know anyone else please? I would also like to see an up to date Membership Letter for BRC.

It could be the philosphy of the new AA from 2007, but this statement came from a Customer Advisor during a phone call when trying to satisfy me after she could not find a recording of the alleged sales call, and if the letter represented a contract.

'Well, it's different people's interpretations of things, isn't it? One person says one thing one way, another says it another way'

Her suggestion that 'the set-up was an accident and I didn't do it' was fine with her but later when I thought she said 'mistake'
I got 'don't put words into my mouth, don't treat me like a three year old.' So much for the sign over the sign over the door at Fanum House, Courtesy and Care.

I have made the suggestion to Andrew Strong that all unsuccessful complaints since 2007 should be reopened. Should I start a petition? I was offered a full refund by Andrew but the Head of Regulation and Compliance cut this back by two thirds.
Friction there I think. Must tell HSBC that they are handling money promised to AA Ex-customers as gestures of goodwill, for their own protection.

So to all of you who are disappointed with BRC, send me some details please. I still have some legal matters to investigate and I have still to read the what is covered and what is not covered in detail, but with the MOT, servicing, and general attention to maintainence anyway, how many modern cars are seriously going to fail, and then have to find out which way the Patrolman, the Garage and the AA claims are going to interpret it, or say it, of course.

Must finish for now, but let me know your thoughts.