Should I complain to the RAC?

gillybean129

My car would not start, this was on Monday morning.
On getting back from work I called the RAC homestart they said 3-4 hours wait.
2.5 hours later a breakdown service appeared, they were not the RAC but a private garage who I assume the RAC outsource to.
He was here about 10 minutes, turned the car over, sprayed a bit of WD40, couldn't get the car to start, his report stated suspect fuel pump.
I called my mechanic, he shuffled his diary around, came this morning and after a few attempts it spluttered into life, I felt a right fraud! He said you can hear the pump when you turn the key so it was clearly not that.
So now not only have I been really inconvenienced, I will be paying my mechanic as he isn't that local and took a couple of hours out of his day.
I am annoyed this mechanic didn't even know that the pump was working normally, he didn't even run any tests.
Would you complain to the RAC? BTW I have just shelled out a further £150 for another years cover....is it worth it???

benten69

Yes I would complain to the RAC. Last year I got them to reduce the yearly charge from £180 to under £50 (full reocvery anywhere in the UK, continue my journey, at home start, etc, etc) after they renewed via direct debit after I told them to cancel, bank stopped it for me as I realised on the day and they got the money back. However I seriously went off on one and they convinced me to stay by reducing the price dramatically.

This year the renewal quote was still stilly at £150, got them down to £65 with a little haggling and removing the at home cover and "continue your journey" option which I never cared for. All I care about is that they can get me & my car home from anywhere in the UK. So that's what I have now.

One thing I have found and will praise the RAC for...complaints DO get you somewhere, not just "oh, sorry about that, we'll try better next time" like most complaints departments.

gillybean129

Thank you that's great!

I have just spoken with them and they will call me back in 3-5 days!!

I think this is unreasonable as I'd like this sorted before the new policy starts so I filled out an online complaints form instead. Not impressed.

[Deleted User]

gillybean129 wrote: »

BTW I have just shelled out a further £150 for another years cover....is it worth it???

Is that a rhetorical question considering your post?

gillybean129

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Is that a rhetorical question considering your post?

Helpful .....not.....

mchale

gillybean129 wrote: »

My car would not start, this was on Monday morning.
On getting back from work I called the RAC homestart they said 3-4 hours wait.
2.5 hours later a breakdown service appeared, they were not the RAC but a private garage who I assume the RAC outsource to.
He was here about 10 minutes, turned the car over, sprayed a bit of WD40, couldn't get the car to start, his report stated suspect fuel pump.
I called my mechanic, he shuffled his diary around, came this morning and after a few attempts it spluttered into life, I felt a right fraud! He said you can hear the pump when you turn the key so it was clearly not that.
So now not only have I been really inconvenienced, I will be paying my mechanic as he isn't that local and took a couple of hours out of his day.
I am annoyed this mechanic didn't even know that the pump was working normally, he didn't even run any tests.
Would you complain to the RAC? BTW I have just shelled out a further £150 for another years cover....is it worth it???

Bear in mind it could be a intermittent fault, not everything is cut & dried with cars nowadays, ie ask your mechanic what the fault was & see what he says.