AA Members? Be careful...

[Steven]

I'm a member of the AA and I have been for years. My membership is due for renewal on 11th January 2007 and I got my new card and renewal letter in the post this morning, I renew each year by credit card.

The cost of renewal for Option 200 Roadside and Relay was quoted as £90.50, expensive I thought, so I went on the AA website. There I found that if I was signing up as a new member Option 200 would cost me only £67.88! A difference of £22.62.

So, I called the AA to speak to someone and they are to call me back later today. If any of you are AA members and your renewal comes through check how much you are being quoted.

I feel completely ripped off, the last few years I haven't checked current prices. Depending on whether or not someone calls me back and what they say I might very well be going to the RAC.

 

[jug]

same thing happened to me last june, so i didnt renew my membership, and then started a new one the day after it expired.

think i'll go with the cheapest next time, there's little difference in the service, so from now on cheapest wins as far as im concerned.

also, you can get discounts depending on the bank you're with, and the insurance company you're with. many insurance companies can offer greatly reduced cover, usually half price.

 

[sgh1970]

Used to be with the aa,but it got too expensive.
Now with halfords breakdown,its about half the price,never had to use them yet,touch wood,so dont no how good or bad they are.

 

[Steven]

They called me back and are renewing for the internet price of £67.88. I'm still unhappy that they tried to renew my policy at a higher price than a new customer would get, so I'll be looking around for a cheaper policy and if I find one before my renewal in January I'll be taking it.

 

[steve1219]

Try Green flag, have had no trouble with them at all.

Steve

 

[Dunc Uno Turbo]

sames happened with me and AA through work. but for the sake of £50 difference i cant be arsed to phone so its gone through lol

Dunc

 

[Steven]

but for the sake of £50 difference i cant be arsed to phone so its gone through lol

Dunc

I wish I had £50 spare to make a donation to a profitable company like the AA. I wouldn't care if it's 50p or £50, better in my pocket than theirs.

 

[x Alex x]

I wish I had £50 spare to make a donation to a profitable company like the AA. I wouldn't care if it's 50p or £50, better in my pocket than theirs.

i'm exactly the same! its not just the money it's principle

 

[The Negotiator]

I used www.moneysupermarket.com this year to find the best cover for me in terms of value, and ended up with morethan, I needed European cover and it by far came out the cheapest for the equivalent product with all the others.

However, the pseudo-quality you expect from morethan was lost when I called to change the car that was covered, the (I imagine) Indian bloke couldn't understand that both my previous and new car were both Bravas. After 5 minutes of him saying "sir, i need your new car not your old car" it finally got sorted out.

 

[Wee Smurf]

I didn't realise how expensive the full AA membership was till I got the "extend your free year's membership" letter through... But the 25% online discount really makes a difference - Good tip. Mind you I'll probably have forgotten all about it be the time I need to renew mine...

I'm only on Option 100 , but it has been fine for me. I've called them out a few times, but only once for my own (old) car...

 

[Steven]

The advantage of the AA is that they cover you in any car. The like of Green Flag and Britannia only cover one car. When you own more than 1 or 2 cars this is where the AA has an advantage.

 

[The Negotiator]

Parents are green flag (i think) and I am sure they are covered, rather than the car? Although only the car covered can be driven in Europe, along those lines. However, maybe they get it through credit/bank account so it might be different.

 

[blu73]

I'm not covered by any at the moment but i used to be with the AA, there was only one reason for that and it was because they always use aa tow-trucks and when you drive a lowered beetle, you can reallt damage it putting it on a truck (trust me i know). The AA guys have these nifty little plastic things they put over the exhaust incase it hits the floor and are very careful. Before i was with AA i used a private company to tow the car when it broke in cornwall (exactly the type of company who work for other breakdown services like green flag etc) and what i nightmare. Even with me stood there shouting at the bloke to stop he just pulled it on ruining both rear wings, rear apron, bent the exhausts etc etc. Obviously i got money back for the **** up but its a hassle i could have done without. From my experience the AA are very professional and well trained. I'd rather have someone who has a clue going under my bonnet or whatever even if it means spending a few more quid.

 

[Dunc Uno Turbo]

its through work so it sorta went through before i knew it. plus, thats for a buisness member ship. not just one person lol

Dunc

 

[Liam]

I used to work in a garage many moons ago, we handled Green Flag breakdown calls, i.e. you get any local garage signed up not always the dedicated patrols.

Liam

 

[blu73]

I used to work in a garage many moons ago, we handled Green Flag breakdown calls, i.e. you get any local garage signed up not always the dedicated patrols.

Liam

Do you how that works between the companies then Liam?? I mean how do they get paid, was it a fixed amount for each job or was it dependant on how long job took etc.. ie, would you have got more money if the job was done quicker and thus supposedly better service for the green flag customer.

 

[Liam]

Do you how that works between the companies then Liam?? I mean how do they get paid, was it a fixed amount for each job or was it dependant on how long job took etc.. ie, would you have got more money if the job was done quicker and thus supposedly better service for the green flag customer.

We shared the calls outs with another garage, it was just the first to respond really, dunno how it was paid, just remember wondering how much I would get since it was double time for call outs!

It's done to maintain and advertise low response times.

Liam

 

[blu73]

Ah ha, first to respond gets the job, kinda explains why they always seem in such a rush..

 

[Liam]

Yeah but respons as in answer the phone not all head out in trucks etc, the reason the guys will be in a hurry is that either it's after hours and he was having a curry and watching tv or the garage is short staffed and there is work to be done back at base.

Liam

 

[Virmin]

That reminds me, one of us must join up again, I was using Green Flag with the car insurance, at the time of renewal got a breakdown of the price and it worked out to be £144