RAC Battery scam?

Richard53

Well, it's certainly charging what the market will bear and we would all rather not pay top whack if we could help it, but that doesn't come into my definition of a 'scam', which is what the OP called it. A scam implies dishonesty, and what the RAC are doing may be crafty or even cheeky, but it is not dishonest.

The OP had a choice - buy a new battery when he felt the old one getting old, shop around for the minimum price, and fit it himself; or wait for the car to break down and pay top retail for the RAC to fit him a new one. No-one held a gun to his head or lied to him.

andygb

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

At the same time, however, you wouldn't expect Kwik-Fit (or RAC, in this case) to supply something at the same price that you can get it online.

Well they can get trade prices at places like Eurocarparts, and they keep shedloads of stuff in stock, so I still think what they have charged the OP is way OTT.

Tants

I recently had to call out the RAC to jump start my car, only to be told my battery was faulty, and then he offered to sell me a RAC branded replacement, I had no idea about battery prices, but I was a bit socked when he said it would cost £85.49.
I asked the RAC mechanic if this was around the standard price for this battery, oh yes I was told, and it's got a 5 year guarantee.
Yes I got free fitting, which was not a issue I can fit my own car battery.
Since then, I've checked online and I could get a new higher spec battery's for under £50, with a 5 year guarantee.
Why do the RAC feel they need to ripoff drivers, buy charging over the odds, for car battery's? I've already paid my breakdown policy with them.
Be warned don't be fooled into buying a new battery from the RAC like me.

jimjames

You might want to read this reply - it sums it up pretty well to me.

If you didnt know the price of batteries then it would have been worth checking first especially if you are capable of fitting it yourself.

OddballJamie wrote: »

I bought a can of coke from a convenience store for 70p ( I know, but it was a warm day and I was thirsty). I've just found out supermarkets sell the same can for 30p in a multipack. To top it off, a mate of mine was thirsty a few weeks back and bought a drink from a different convenience store and paid 50p!

Move on with you life and be thankful you got a battery quickly and it didn't have to be towed somewhere.

Steve059

I've found the RAC to be very competitive for batteries online, with free delivery and, if you're a member, free fitting.

I suspect that I may now know how they are able to afford to be so competitive.