Dizzydog

Dizzydog

I have a car registered in Bulgaria. I have European Breakdown Cover through ARC EUROPE. I recently returned to the UK and broke down. On my card is a Bulgarian number. I rang that, it took them ages (including two cut offs) to finally tell me they would get the AA to ring me. It cost me about £26.
I rang the AA today to find out whether in the event of another breakdown I could just ring them instead of calling Bulgaria. I was told that I had first to ring Bulgaria.
This, I think, is a shocking service.The AA is clearly the company that belongs to this network - indeed it says so on the ARC site.
I would imagine that the same applies in all the other countries. I have written to ARC and I await their reply.
AA phone line is horrible by the way. One issue is that a big question is being asked when you're waiting for somebody to speak to you - is it because they are dealing with somebody or are you just a sitting target for a flood of advertising?

Ebe_Scrooge

I don't know for sure, but I would imagine your contract is with ARC, and they sub-contract work out if it's outside of Bulgaria. So having to ring Bulgaria is not what I would call "shocking service". The same thing happens with most breakdown services - if you have an English AA membership with European cover, for instance, and you break down in France, you'll still call the English call centre.

Dizzydog

I think talk of contracts and sub contracts is to miss the point. If you are providing a service, I think you should provide one that is convenient. To have to pay £26 to get somebody out is not what I call a good service.
I think what happens with most breakdown services is not the point either. Many people would say most electric and gas companies do certain things but I doubt many would say that makes it right.
But I appreciate your reply and that you see it differently and if most agree with you - well, then there you go.

Dizzydog

On reflection I believe I'm wrong. I'm actually bewildered how my call on 3 came to the amount it did. so thanks for your reply.

Nodding_Donkey

But think of the money you save on road tax, parking fines, tolls etc.

AdrianC

Dizzydog wrote: »

I think talk of contracts and sub contracts is to miss the point.

No, it's 100% the point.

If you are providing a service, I think you should provide one that is convenient.

The AA aren't providing a service to you - your breakdown provider is.
The AA are providing a service to your breakdown provider.
You have no contract with the AA at all.

If you aren't happy with the service your breakdown provider gives, then use a different breakdown provider.

By the way, if you're here for long enough for this to be an issue, then you will almost certainly be deemed to be resident here. If you are resident here, then you cannot legally drive a Bulgarian-registered car.
https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/temporary-imports

Dizzydog

Now I know why Shrek doesn't like donkeys! Actually, nods, I wouldn't be so sure about tolls - and what's this about parking fines? Road Tax, insurance? I'll give you that.
The one good thing I've had from this is, is I've re-learnt about dialacode.

Turn_to_Grey

Similar issue with me. Bought a brand new Ducati Multistrada which came with free breakdown cover. It broke down ( I know ! ) Had to call Italy to initiate the breakdown process. Not happy calling a premium rate Italian number from my mobile, cost about a tenner at the time. RAC were contracted to recover me.

Dizzydog

Point one. You might be correct. Moot point though if both parties are part of the service. You, I suspect are talking legally, I'm not.
Point two. You are wrong.
Point three. Not the point. Not your business. But I did know.

Dizzydog

Actually, Turn to, I called my phone operator who informed me about dialacode. Well worth looking into. I think though I was wrong with my assumption. I can now understand why it must be that way - maybe.

Dizzydog

Just found out though, that dialacode won't be much use when I travel back through France and Germany - hey ho!