We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Aoutomobile Association ?????
Options
Hi folks, just a little rant:
Due to miss-fueling (petrol into diesel!! -- no rude names please unless you know any beginning with Z or Y (I've done all the others), I had my engine die on me on a country road, right in the middle of Z-bend. Lucky in away as any traffic had to slow down whichever way it was coming.
I know ....... my glass ......... is always half full.
I have subscribed with AA for on/off 50 years and except for some route planning in the early days, I recall using them only once or twice for an actual road assistance. On the last occasion, other then a problem with my name (misspelled in their records), having to walk back to my car from a phone box (about half a mile in the rain) to get more coinage from my passenger then having to wait rather a long time for the recovery vehicle -- they did -- eventually -- get us home.
Fortunately, on that occasion I broke down just outside a cottage. The occupants had noticed my elderly lady passenger and kindly came out to offer her a timely 'relief'.
You can repair the engine but once the rust sets in ........
But at least on that occasion, I got to speak to a real, live person immediately.
No phone problem this time I thought .......... I have my mobile!
Not being a great mobile (ab)user, I only got it for just such emergencies and top it up as and when necessary (making a three-monthly call to my land-line so as to keep it active and not lose my deposit).
My first attempt at calling AA resulted in a 'no signal' message. Guessing it was the tall trees lining the road which my be the problem, I walked to where there was some clearing and dialed the specified 0800 887 766 only to be informed that this number is not available on a mobile and that I my remaining ballance is £7.45.
After a third attempt at the alternative 0121 275 3746 there was a voice ...... recording! ...... informing me that I have rung AA and that the call is being recorded .... and so forth ....
Then:
"If this is an emergency please press 1 ......"
(This is an emergency???! ... 0121 275 3746 is the 'Emergency Breakdown Number'!!!)
I press 1.
"If this is a breakdown press 1"
(IT IS!!!!!!!!!! -- I DIALED THE 'EMERBENCY BRAKEDOWN NUMBER'!!!! -- It says so on the 'Members Club' card!!!!!???????)
I press 1.
Next I get a lengthy (recorded) advice on safety procedure .................................................
.................................................................................................
At last! A 'real' person?:
"Have you broken down?" !!! ????????
"Yes I have"
"Is your car off the road?"
"It is on a country road Z-bend between the two bend"
"Oh, in that case you must first make sure your car is safely" -- at which point there is a beep followed by a 'lost signal' message.
Just as well as I was also beginning to loose all will to live.
The mobile helpfully informs me that I'm down to £4.20.
Luckily for me it was dry, warm evening. I know, it's that half-full glass again.
It would appear that instead of providing a speedy assistance to stranded motorist, the AA's first priority these days is to preach the farcical 'elf n' safety' mantra .
Or is it?
It has just occurred to me:
Do the AA have shares in or get some sort of a commission from mobile phone providers?
I'm guessing that 90+% of breakdown calls are now days made from mobiles. That would indeed be a very nice 'little' earner!
Anyway, I saw no point, nor did I relish going through the above farce again so instead called a pal of mine.
We (including the car) were back home within an hour.
Next morning I had a circular from AA inviting me to subscribe to their 'Home Emergency Plumbing Response'.
I can just imagine the procedure:
If you have a plumbing problem press 1;
If it's a small leak press 2;
If it's a large leak press 3;
If you are drowning ...... make sure you have a pair of wellies .......
Only if there is an option to "press 101"
Is it just me or, with a finger in every pie, have AA now become just another jack of all trades???
Due to miss-fueling (petrol into diesel!! -- no rude names please unless you know any beginning with Z or Y (I've done all the others), I had my engine die on me on a country road, right in the middle of Z-bend. Lucky in away as any traffic had to slow down whichever way it was coming.
I know ....... my glass ......... is always half full.
I have subscribed with AA for on/off 50 years and except for some route planning in the early days, I recall using them only once or twice for an actual road assistance. On the last occasion, other then a problem with my name (misspelled in their records), having to walk back to my car from a phone box (about half a mile in the rain) to get more coinage from my passenger then having to wait rather a long time for the recovery vehicle -- they did -- eventually -- get us home.
Fortunately, on that occasion I broke down just outside a cottage. The occupants had noticed my elderly lady passenger and kindly came out to offer her a timely 'relief'.
You can repair the engine but once the rust sets in ........
But at least on that occasion, I got to speak to a real, live person immediately.
No phone problem this time I thought .......... I have my mobile!
Not being a great mobile (ab)user, I only got it for just such emergencies and top it up as and when necessary (making a three-monthly call to my land-line so as to keep it active and not lose my deposit).
My first attempt at calling AA resulted in a 'no signal' message. Guessing it was the tall trees lining the road which my be the problem, I walked to where there was some clearing and dialed the specified 0800 887 766 only to be informed that this number is not available on a mobile and that I my remaining ballance is £7.45.
After a third attempt at the alternative 0121 275 3746 there was a voice ...... recording! ...... informing me that I have rung AA and that the call is being recorded .... and so forth ....
Then:
"If this is an emergency please press 1 ......"
(This is an emergency???! ... 0121 275 3746 is the 'Emergency Breakdown Number'!!!)
I press 1.
"If this is a breakdown press 1"
(IT IS!!!!!!!!!! -- I DIALED THE 'EMERBENCY BRAKEDOWN NUMBER'!!!! -- It says so on the 'Members Club' card!!!!!???????)
I press 1.
Next I get a lengthy (recorded) advice on safety procedure .................................................
.................................................................................................
At last! A 'real' person?:
"Have you broken down?" !!! ????????
"Yes I have"
"Is your car off the road?"
"It is on a country road Z-bend between the two bend"
"Oh, in that case you must first make sure your car is safely" -- at which point there is a beep followed by a 'lost signal' message.
Just as well as I was also beginning to loose all will to live.
The mobile helpfully informs me that I'm down to £4.20.
Luckily for me it was dry, warm evening. I know, it's that half-full glass again.
It would appear that instead of providing a speedy assistance to stranded motorist, the AA's first priority these days is to preach the farcical 'elf n' safety' mantra .
Or is it?
It has just occurred to me:
Do the AA have shares in or get some sort of a commission from mobile phone providers?
I'm guessing that 90+% of breakdown calls are now days made from mobiles. That would indeed be a very nice 'little' earner!
Anyway, I saw no point, nor did I relish going through the above farce again so instead called a pal of mine.
We (including the car) were back home within an hour.
Next morning I had a circular from AA inviting me to subscribe to their 'Home Emergency Plumbing Response'.
I can just imagine the procedure:
If you have a plumbing problem press 1;
If it's a small leak press 2;
If it's a large leak press 3;
If you are drowning ...... make sure you have a pair of wellies .......
Only if there is an option to "press 101"
Is it just me or, with a finger in every pie, have AA now become just another jack of all trades???
Best regards
Mike
Mike
When I was young I knew all the answers.
Now I'm only just beginning to understand the questions.
Now I'm only just beginning to understand the questions.
0
Comments
-
If you felt your car was in the way/could cause danger to other road users you could have phoned 999 perhaps...? And asked for the Police - I don't even think you have to press option 1 for a murder, option 2 for car theft, option 3 for an injury or option 4 for the time...0
-
Wouldn't it have been easier to ring a friend/family member & give them the details and get them to ring the AA from a LL, and giving your mobile number to the AA in case they needed to contact you ???ANURADHA KOIRALA ??? go on throw it in google.0
-
......Is it just me or, with a finger in every pie, have AA now become just another jack of all trades???.........
I think they've been bought by some venture capitalists so they are now being run to generate profit for shareholders rather than mutually to provide a service to their members.
Look forward to asset stripping, less staff & worse service0 -
My old mum broke down in France last week, unrepairable.
Vehicle getting relayed home seperately, the AA paid for 5 days hotel accomodation in France with a courtesy car for running around in, back to the UK then another hire car to get home.
Was going to recount how good my own experiences were with them, speaking to a human within a couple of button presses and how happy I was, but when I think about it, I'm with the RAC.0 -
The AA is no longer an 'Association' - it's a private company that is only interested in making a profit.
It was sold off long ago under the Tory Governments plans to sell off all mutual organisations.
You can solve the problem with dialing an 0800 number from a mobile by using 0800 Buster (01163040800)."There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe a 'Princess Coronation' locomotive in full cry. We shall never see their like again". O S Nock0 -
How is any of this the AA's fault?
YOU misfueld your car causing it to breakdown in a dangerous place. YOU had low signal. YOU don't know how to use a mobile phone properly. YOU had low credit. Get a grip and stop trying to find someone to blame for this mess other than yourself.0 -
just bought a car and it doesn't have the sticker for 2009 or even for 2008, it has the 2007 sticker.Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam0
-
??????? Perhaps you might want to start your own thread and be a bit clearer.zeeshan_ali2525 wrote: »just bought a car and it doesn't have the sticker for 2009 or even for 2008, it has the 2007 sticker.0 -
zeeshan_ali2525 wrote: »just bought a car and it doesn't have the sticker for 2009 or even for 2008, it has the 2007 sticker.
!!!!!!....................?!0 -
poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »You can solve the problem with dialing an 0800 number from a mobile by using 0800 Buster (01163040800).
Or take the first 0 off and just dial 800...0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards