RAC Heist

lincroft1710

Had my RAC breakdown cover renewal reminder last week, so called them on Monday and got the renewal premium reduced by 25%

Johnmcl7

Rosies_dad2 said:

I'm interested as to others opinions.

I don't care about the money but I'm concerned ANYONE would think that a loyalty tax of 200% is OK.   It "Feels" like fraud (it obviously isn't as this is the RAC not some online scam) and that concerns me.

As I have already raised the issue with the RAC and they have promised to contact me back (even though  I know they won't) , I'm tempted to let them take the money on the 4th of March and then start the fight then.    Unless anyone has a better idea ?

I most certainly don't think it's OK but it's the reality we live in that many companies charge ridiculous renewal prices unfortunately.  I've no idea why you would let them take the money then try to fight it since you're putting yourself in a very weak position, if you're not happy with it you need to 'fight' it before you renew or don't put up with it and go elsewhere.  While many companies do hike their renewals I had a ridiculous increase with the RAC particularly after appalling service from them so voted with my feet and cancelled with them.

lordmountararat

I have found that having RAC cover as an add on to your insurance premium reduces the cost substantially.

Grumpy_chap

CashDog said:

Contacted RAC to request a breakdown of costs to establish how this figure was arrived at.

While that might be a common thing in business contracts - particularly term contracts where there is a schedule of rates and pre-agreed uplifts - have you ever received that level of transparency in a consumer purchase?

The options are to buy the product offered at the price offered.
Or shop around and buy elsewhere.
Or shop around and try to negotiate with the current provider.
Or not have the product.

Rosies_dad2

Johnmcl7 said:

  I've no idea why you would let them take the money then try to fight it since you're putting yourself in a very weak position,

It's interesting you say that, and I'm not 100% sure how this works with a direct debit mandate.  I had a phone call with them where (the operator) agreed with me that it must be a computer error and agreed a manager would get back to me.    If they subsequently take the money then it's fraud, which puts me in a much stronger position.  Also as far as the FCA is concerned I've paid the £71 admin fee.  

Understand this I'm not after the money I'm after doing as much damage to the RAC and it's venture capital owners as I can.

As I said before I'm perfectly prepared to pay a loyalty tax of 20% (50% at a push) but nearly 3x the price-list is morally fraud.

Frozen_up_north

RAC are one of the poorest breakdown providers, see this review:

https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/which-is-the-best-breakdown-service/n1215

I don't understand why anyone is paying the crazy prices mentioned by the OP, we pay a fraction of that!

Car_54

Rosies_dad2 said:

Johnmcl7 said:

  I've no idea why you would let them take the money then try to fight it since you're putting yourself in a very weak position,

It's interesting you say that, and I'm not 100% sure how this works with a direct debit mandate.  I had a phone call with them where (the operator) agreed with me that it must be a computer error and agreed a manager would get back to me.    If they subsequently take the money then it's frau

No it isn't. It may be many things, none of them good, but fraud isn't one of them.

Shimrod

lordmountararat said:

I have found that having RAC cover as an add on to your insurance premium reduces the cost substantially.

Or as an alternative, packaged with a bank account. I have RAC cover via the Barclays travel pack which also includes worldwide travel insurance for a total of £174 per year. It's a good price for the travel insurance, so the RAC cover for me is effectively free. 

oldagetraveller1

I have had RAC cover for a number of years and have usually used Tesco Clubcard vouchers. I received the renewal quote recently, due 1st March. I have Roadside, At Home and National Recovery on a personal basis.

They came up with £219, but £186 if using the vouchers.

By coincidence they have a "sale" until the 14th. I went through the buying process using a different e-mail address. Lo and behold, £74 for annual "Complete Cover" without the extra options (key cover etc.).

It really does defy logic. Yes, I took the £74 cover and received confirmation of it's start on 1st March.

Mildly_Miffed

Shimrod said:

lordmountararat said:

I have found that having RAC cover as an add on to your insurance premium reduces the cost substantially.

Or as an alternative, packaged with a bank account. I have RAC cover via the Barclays travel pack which also includes worldwide travel insurance for a total of £174 per year. It's a good price for the travel insurance, so the RAC cover for me is effectively free. 

Yup. Nationwide Flexplus here.
£19/mo = £228/year.
Full Euro personal cover (run by AA) for both joint account holders, no vehicle age limit, covers up to quite large motorhomes.
Full global travel insurance
Full global mobile phone insurance
Free debit card transactions outside UK

Couldn't find that cover at all anywhere else - we have an older campervan, so it was a no-brainer.