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Who can I escalate my RAC complaint to?

245

Comments

  • How fortunate you broke down on a kerb in a large city. There's much worse places you can break down, particularly in the dark.


    Did you tell them you moved your vehicle? How do you know they didn't attend if you weren't with it. How do you expect them to look at your vehicle if it is unattended? Questions they might ask.
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  • How fortunate you broke down on a kerb in a large city. There's much worse places you can break down, particularly in the dark.


    Did you tell them you moved your vehicle? How do you know they didn't attend if you weren't with it. How do you expect them to look at your vehicle if it is unattended? Questions they might ask.

    Firstly, I didn't say it was large. Secondly, the place where I broke down is opposite a park where people have been raped and murdered. Third, it's really regardless of the fact - at midnight, pregnant, and by myself, I don't expect to be paying £14 per month for a service that can reach me in 6 hours.

    They did not attend the vehicle - they confirmed that they cancelled the job that I originally requested. The second time they told me to go home and they would call me when they were on their way - they didn't call because they never came out or even attempted to. Again, I have this confirmed on a recorded telephone call.
  • Gavin83
    Gavin83 Posts: 8,757 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Did they give any explanation as to why they didn't come out? Do they offer any sort of guarantee as to how quickly they'll attend?

    How much have you asked for, in particular for the stress element?
  • k3lvc
    k3lvc Posts: 4,174 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    georgie_p wrote: »
    Firstly, I didn't say it was large. Secondly, the place where I broke down is opposite a park where people have been raped and murdered. Third, it's really regardless of the fact - at midnight, pregnant, and by myself, I don't expect to be paying £14 per month for a service that can reach me in 6 hours.

    Lose the emotion out of this or you'll get nowhere - breakdowns happen on roads where people are killed on a daily basis so your rape/murder/pregnant ranting is irrelevant

    Ask them clearly for what you want and make it reasonable (i.e. not £500 for hurt feelings) and then come back and ask for advice once they've responded.
  • DoaM
    DoaM Posts: 11,863 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 19 September 2018 at 11:57AM
    Basis of claim:

    1. Reimburse the taxi cost.
    2. 11 months RAC coverage at £14 per month = £154, on the basis that they've not been able to provide a service when required so you can only assume they've never been able to provide a service.

    Beyond that you're into a "grey" territory regarding inconvenience, stress etc.

    Edit: You may also be able to add:

    3. Loss of value of the vehicle due to contributory negligence in failing to attend the vehicle at any time. (It would be normal for a lay-person to try to start the car again after it has been sitting for a period, in order to try and move it).

    How much you'd get for this (or even if it is feasible) I've no idea.
  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you intend to play the pregnant card then you need to do so in a public way, so I would suggest that you contact them on Twitter or Facebook which might get a better response.
  • Firstly, you have received appalling service from the RAC. That is clear. However...

    1. I don't think you will receive both taxi fare and historic membership fees back as a matter of course. The taxi fare is being refunded as a result of being a member, so they are providing an indirect service there. Check your T&C's as to whether you're able to cancel membership with immediate effect.

    2. The "pregnant, at risk" claim is a complete misnomer. "Compensation" is for putting you back in to the same financial position as if an incident hadn't happened. The RAC are doing that by agreeing to refund your taxi. If you really felt threatened, or had medical issues at the time, then there is an actual emergency service that you can call.

    So take the taxi refund, cancel your membership but push for some sort of refund there, but don't stress yourself further by trying to sue for emotional distress. Mind you, it's a nice media headline story, so you could ask Anna.
  • Firstly, you have received appalling service from the RAC. That is clear. However...

    1. I don't think you will receive both taxi fare and historic membership fees back as a matter of course. The taxi fare is being refunded as a result of being a member, so they are providing an indirect service there. Check your T&C's as to whether you're able to cancel membership with immediate effect.

    2. The "pregnant, at risk" claim is a complete misnomer. "Compensation" is for putting you back in to the same financial position as if an incident hadn't happened. The RAC are doing that by agreeing to refund your taxi. If you really felt threatened, or had medical issues at the time, then there is an actual emergency service that you can call.

    So take the taxi refund, cancel your membership but push for some sort of refund there, but don't stress yourself further by trying to sue for emotional distress. Mind you, it's a nice media headline story, so you could ask Anna.


    I'm not sure if asking Anna is a good idea, if the folks on here are correct about the Financial Ombudsman NOT covering breakdown services...


    https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/sep/06/rac-breakdown-callout-delay-service


    Quoted from the above article about poor levels of service from the RAC:
    Your next step would be to take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman service, which covers breakdown insurance. You can do this after eight weeks since your original complaint, or after the company sends you a letter of deadlock.
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