AAA grrr...

[Mimiheart]

So I was going through the ATM yesterday, when I heard and felt my car go thump thump thump. It was 3:30, and I had all three kids in my car and I had to be at work at 4:15. I called AAA, explained I had a flat tire, where I was, etc. They said it would be and hour and a half. I was about a mile from work, I said, "Cancel the call, I have to be at work, and I'm sure I can get a ride there, I'll call when I'm done."

Got a ride to work (and afterwards back again), and called back at 6:30. "We'll have someone there between 7:30 and 8:00." I was in the bank parking lot, which is right by a Mexican restaurant. So I walked with the kids over to the Mexican restaurant and got them dinner.

We went back to the car, sang some songs, I called AAA again, as it's getting dark now, and I'm not walking from my car to the Mexican restaurant in a dark parking lot with three little kids. It's 8:00, no call from them saying, "Be by your car." Nothing.

"Well, ma'am, we pushed your call back to 9:30."

"I'm sitting in a dark parking lot with three kids seven and under. 9:30 is not an option."

"It says here you're in a safe place."

"I said I was in a relatively safe place, as in I'm not on the side of a highway, but a parking lot while it's light out is not the same in the dark, and there's no light here, and it's a bank parking lot, there's no one around. And I've got three little kids with me. 9:30 is NOT. ACCEPTABLE."

"Okay, ma'am, I'm going to call dispatch and see if we can get that any earlier for you."

*hold music*

*hold music*

"Well, ma'am, it seems that there are just too many calls tonight, and we might be able to get to you at 9:00. But that's the absolute soonest."

...

They got there at 9:45. :wall::wall::wall:

[CID_0687]

AAA blows.

I've never used them, but yours is like all the other stories I've heard.

[terri910]

We love our AAA membership. We seem to use it at least a couple of times a year and have never had a problem.

[Spiked101]

I have had nothing but good results with AAA. They have gotten me out of numerous jams over many decades. been a member since 1972

[Mimiheart]

We love our AAA membership. We seem to use it at least a couple of times a year and have never had a problem.I never had a problem when I was in CA. (Like when I was pregnant and flushed the keys down the toilet. :redface::doh:) In AZ, I haven't been impressed. This was the worst, though.

[Dreamy]

We love our AAA membership. We seem to use it at least a couple of times a year and have never had a problem.

We love ours too! They have never failed me. Snowstorms,flats,dead batteries. Sometimes in the dead of winter and the bitter cold times the wait is longer but that is expected.

Must be your area Mimi. Here in NE I have had no problem. I have had my membership since 1988 and would never get rid of it. Love the discounts and travel assists too.

[Dreamy]

AAA blows.

I've never used them, but yours is like all the other stories I've heard.


You never used them and based on complaints you hear you say they blow? Hmmm. That many complaints are told to you? lol People rarely tell good stories about business,keep that in mind. I love AAA.

[Spiked101]

I never had a problem when I was in CA. (Like when I was pregnant and flushed the keys down the toilet. :redface::doh:) In AZ, I haven't been impressed. This was the worst, though.

That must be it then because I'm in CA and absolutely love it. They have been bailing me out since college and now bail my college age kids out LOL.

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

The road side assistance with my Progressive insurance rocks!

When I was trying to fix a problem with our van, I had it towed back home 4 times, no questions asked. Each time the tow company was there within 30 minutes.

I highly recommend it.

[Mimiheart]

The road side assistance with my Progressive insurance rocks!

When I was trying to fix a problem with our van, I had it towed back home 4 times, no questions asked. Each time the tow company was there within 30 minutes.

I highly recommend it.I have progressive, but didn't get the roadside because I've got AAA. :wall:

[CID_0687]

You never used them and based on complaints you hear you say they blow? Hmmm. That many complaints are told to you? lol People rarely tell good stories about business,keep that in mind. I love AAA.
You gotta remember....I was an insurance agent for over 3 years...We had a roadside assistance plan that we would sell with our auto insurance...nearly everyone I sold it to that had at one time had AAA was skiddish about buying it because of their experience with AAA.

I heard at least one of these stories a week.

[CID_0687]

I have progressive, but didn't get the roadside because I've got AAA. :wall:
I would check into it if I was you...I sold Progressive, there roadside assistance is cheaper than AAA and like Hoob said, it's a good service.

[Mimiheart]

I would check into it if I was you...I sold Progressive, there roadside assistance is cheaper than AAA and like Hoob said, it's a good service.Will do. I'm paid with AAA through September, though.

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

I have progressive, but didn't get the roadside because I've got AAA. :wall:

To get their roadside you have to have comprehensive and collision.

I have the roadside the van and bike but not the car. I only carry liability on the car.

[Dreamy]

You gotta remember....I was an insurance agent for over 3 years...We had a roadside assistance plan that we would sell with our auto insurance...nearly everyone I sold it to that had at one time had AAA was skiddish about buying it because of their experience with AAA.

I heard at least one of these stories a week.

Oh well. Over 22 years of AAA here with me and my family and nothing but positive experiences.

[CID_0687]

Oh well. Over 22 years of AAA here with me and my family and nothing but positive experiences.
Well, like you said in an earlier post...must be the area.

[Spiked101]

Oh well. Over 22 years of AAA here with me and my family and nothing but positive experiences.

Same here. Like I said, member since 1972 with never an issue and I have used it a lot.

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

I'm sure just like other road side services, AAA contracts with local companies.

They may differ on their SLAs (service level agreements) though.

[gdoane]

I don't think I could bring myself to use roadside assistance for something as easy to fix as a flat tire. Even on the company vehicle I'll change the tire myself rather than stand on the side of the road looking like I can't take care of a simple little problem without crying for help like a liberal.

I'd have to pour a gallon of water under the car just to make it look like I wasn't sidelined by a thumbtack in the road. EM-BARASSING!!

[CID_0687]

I don't think I could bring myself to use roadside assistance for something as easy to fix as a flat tire. Even on the company vehicle I'll change the tire myself rather than stand on the side of the road looking like I can't take care of a simple little problem without crying for help like a liberal.

I'd have to pour a gallon of water under the car just to make it look like I wasn't sidelined by a thumbtack in the road. EM-BARASSING!!
Well yeah, but you're a dude.

Mimi's a lady.

[gdoane]

Well yeah, but you're a dude.

Mimi's a lady.

If ladies can handle a fully loaded baby diaper then getting a little grimy changing a tire should be a cakewalk.

[CID_0687]

If ladies can handle a fully loaded baby diaper then getting a little grimy changing a tire should be a cakewalk.
Agreed. :lol:

[RickRhetoric]

Everyone should learn how to change a tire. Of course, if you expect your roadside assistance to show up fairly quickly, you should let them change it -- that's what your paying your dues for.

The biggest obstacle to changing a tire is that the lug nuts are usually torqued too tight, and it takes a very strong person to loosen them with a lug wrench. The solution is to have an iron pipe about two feet long to sleeve over the lug wrench handles to give you much more leverage.

[jeepers]

If ladies can handle a fully loaded baby diaper then getting a little grimy changing a tire should be a cakewalk.


Not when you have three small children in tow.

You do not leave three kids in a car unsupervised while you have a car up on jacks. Kids old enough to get out of a carseat and could do things like, oh say, put you from park into neutral or something.

If she was alone, that's something else. With kids, you definitely have a different equation.

[gdoane]

Not when you have three small children in tow.

You do not leave three kids in a car unsupervised while you have a car up on jacks. Kids old enough to get out of a carseat and could do things like, oh say, put you from park into neutral or something.

If she was alone, that's something else. With kids, you definitely have a different equation.

In a couple more years the kids could BE the roadside assistance.

"Hey Junior, wanna learn how to drive? Lesson One, change that flat! I'll be over at the Mexican Restaurant taming a Margarita while you take care of it."

[gosling2Lindy]

I got AAA when it became too difficult for me to do things like change a tire. Arthritis can really hamper your independence.

I haven't had any problems with AAA, but I use them maybe once a year. The only time I've had a long delay in their response was due to the volume of calls after a snow storm.

[malnila]

The road side assistance with my Progressive insurance rocks!

When I was trying to fix a problem with our van, I had it towed back home 4 times, no questions asked. Each time the tow company was there within 30 minutes.

I highly recommend it.

30 mins? Here in L.A., AAA has gotten to me in 10 - 15 mins. I would never switch.

[khigh]

If ladies can handle a fully loaded baby diaper then getting a little grimy changing a tire should be a cakewalk.

I have changed a tire on the side of the road in high heels and a long skirt because I knew how to do it and really just did not want to call anyone and ask for help.

That's probably why I had the truck taken apart last weekend to clean the fuel injectors and change the brake cylinders. Either I am really cheap or I don't want to ask for help. I think it's both.

[GoBucks]

I previously had AAA and the one time I used them (for my step-daughter who had locked her keys in the car, they were right on the job - 15-20 minutes).

However, since we now have a client who owns a towing and recovery business, I canceled my AAA.

When my alternator died on 4th of July and left me stranded, I called him and he was there within 30 minutes (I was in BFE, so it was a minimum 25 min. drive).

All in all, AAA was good to me. Then again, I am in a smaller city, it may depend on the size of your metro area.

[Mimiheart]

Not when you have three small children in tow.

You do not leave three kids in a car unsupervised while you have a car up on jacks. Kids old enough to get out of a carseat and could do things like, oh say, put you from park into neutral or something.

If she was alone, that's something else. With kids, you definitely have a different equation.One of my children (the youngest, three at the time) put my car into drive a couple months ago. She drove it into the garage wall--jumping out of it in the process. I had just run in to grab something off the stove, this happened in a span of about thirty seconds. All three of them alone with the car up on the dinky little car jack that I have? HELL NO!

[CID_0687]

One of my children (the youngest, three at the time) put my car into drive a couple months ago. She drove it into the garage wall--jumping out of it in the process. I had just run in to grab something off the stove, this happened in a span of about thirty seconds. All three of them alone with the car up on the dinky little car jack that I have? HELL NO!
You aren't only a lady, but a smart one to boot. :hug:

[terri910]

Love the discounts and travel assists too.
Yeah, I'd forgotten about the discounts (and I just used it today, making a hotel reservation)!

Plus, when hubby lost his (electronic fob) car key in Big Bear Lake, AAA paid up to $100 to have it replaced. That paid for most of our year's membership right there.

[MrShotShot]

You have to remember that AAA doesn't have a fleet of tow trucks sitting a big garage somewhere. They contract with local tow and repair companies. Depending on what part of town you're in, there may not be that many AAA affiliated outfits in your area. They could also be busy.

My wife and I have had AAA for years and it has paid for itself on numerous occasions.

[AutoRacer55]

Heck I could have changed it and had you back going in less than 15 minutes or so.

[gdoane]

Heck I could have changed it and had you back going in less than 15 minutes or so.

The drive from Baton Rouge, LA to Phoenix, AZ is 1243 Miles. To travel 1243 miles in 15 minutes or so would require driving at a speed of approximately 5,000 MPH or Mach 7.5.

The Thrust SSC is the only vehicle to ever break Mach 1 on land (World Land Speed Record 766.6 MPH) so the likelihood of hitting 6 times that speed driving is between slim and none.

Besides, we have speed cameras on the I-10 Freeway here in Phoenix. You'd get a ticket for sure.

[Dreamy]

I don't think I could bring myself to use roadside assistance for something as easy to fix as a flat tire. Even on the company vehicle I'll change the tire myself rather than stand on the side of the road looking like I can't take care of a simple little problem without crying for help like a liberal.

I'd have to pour a gallon of water under the car just to make it look like I wasn't sidelined by a thumbtack in the road. EM-BARASSING!!

Just keep in mind not everyone is a healthy enough to change a tire or young enough. I gave my elderly aunt AAA. It was a wise gift.

Also some areas are not safe to change a tire. Towing is a must or a police assist is needed.

[angelicmadrigal]

So I was going through the ATM yesterday, when I heard and felt my car go thump thump thump. It was 3:30, and I had all three kids in my car and I had to be at work at 4:15. I called AAA, explained I had a flat tire, where I was, etc. They said it would be and hour and a half. I was about a mile from work, I said, "Cancel the call, I have to be at work, and I'm sure I can get a ride there, I'll call when I'm done."

Got a ride to work (and afterwards back again), and called back at 6:30. "We'll have someone there between 7:30 and 8:00." I was in the bank parking lot, which is right by a Mexican restaurant. So I walked with the kids over to the Mexican restaurant and got them dinner.

We went back to the car, sang some songs, I called AAA again, as it's getting dark now, and I'm not walking from my car to the Mexican restaurant in a dark parking lot with three little kids. It's 8:00, no call from them saying, "Be by your car." Nothing.

"Well, ma'am, we pushed your call back to 9:30."

"I'm sitting in a dark parking lot with three kids seven and under. 9:30 is not an option."

"It says here you're in a safe place."

"I said I was in a relatively safe place, as in I'm not on the side of a highway, but a parking lot while it's light out is not the same in the dark, and there's no light here, and it's a bank parking lot, there's no one around. And I've got three little kids with me. 9:30 is NOT. ACCEPTABLE."

"Okay, ma'am, I'm going to call dispatch and see if we can get that any earlier for you."

*hold music*

*hold music*

"Well, ma'am, it seems that there are just too many calls tonight, and we might be able to get to you at 9:00. But that's the absolute soonest."

...

They got there at 9:45. :wall::wall::wall:


You could always cancel your membership, or not renew it if you're that dissatisfied with it.

[angelicmadrigal]

Just keep in mind not everyone is a healthy enough to change a tire or young enough..

Hrmmm....I'd like to see gd change a tire while supervising 3 little kids.

[Mimiheart]

You could always cancel your membership, or not renew it if you're that dissatisfied with it.Like I said, I've already paid through September. I've already filed a complaint with them. I'm probably not going to renew it. I'm looking into a couple other options. I definitely need the roadside.

[Mimiheart]

You have to remember that AAA doesn't have a fleet of tow trucks sitting a big garage somewhere. They contract with local tow and repair companies. Depending on what part of town you're in, there may not be that many AAA affiliated outfits in your area. They could also be busy.

My wife and I have had AAA for years and it has paid for itself on numerous occasions.I understand. I was in the middle of a large metro area. I was across the street from a major mall (so if they had said up front that they were going to be over three hours, I would have walked the kids across the street and let them play in the play area and gotten them food they LIKE at the food court), and about a mile from a freeway.

My problem was that they didn't say it was going to be three hours, they said it would be one. For some reason, my call got bumped, and extra time was added to it. (The dispatcher couldn't see why on her computer.) No one ever called me. It wasn't until I called THEM when the time for a truck had come and gone that they told me.

Also, they should be contracted with enough companies to be able to cover 6:30 p.m. in a big city. (Phoenix, in this case.)

[Dreamy]

I understand. I was in the middle of a large metro area. I was across the street from a major mall (so if they had said up front that they were going to be over three hours, I would have walked the kids across the street and let them play in the play area and gotten them food they LIKE at the food court), and about a mile from a freeway.

My problem was that they didn't say it was going to be three hours, they said it would be one. For some reason, my call got bumped, and extra time was added to it. (The dispatcher couldn't see why on her computer.) No one ever called me. It wasn't until I called THEM when the time for a truck had come and gone that they told me.

Also, they should be contracted with enough companies to be able to cover 6:30 p.m. in a big city. (Phoenix, in this case.)

What happened to you Mimi was definitely unacceptable. And although I am a long time member of the auto club I would be furious if that had happened to me. And I would lodge a complaint. Was the delay because of a bad contractor? If so then AAA should be informed because perhaps they have other complaints and will drop him as a preferred contractor.

In the cold winters here I expect a delay but based on what you have explained here the delay was totally unacceptable.

[terri910]

Just keep in mind not everyone is a healthy enough to change a tire or young enough. I gave my elderly aunt AAA. It was a wise gift.

Also some areas are not safe to change a tire. Towing is a must or a police assist is needed.
SOME people might say that your elderly aunt shouldn't be driving, then. :rolleyes: Personally, I think your gift of AAA to her is a very thoughtful gift.

We have towing on our car insurance, too, but with our Premier AAA membership we have towing up to 100 miles, not "to the closest repair shop within 25 miles." Living 60 miles from Los Angeles and 45 miles from Santa Barbara, that has come in handy a few times, too.

And then there's my husband whose car is his "office" (he's in outside sales)...he sometimes gets so busy he forgets to look at the fuel gauge. He's had AAA bring a gallon of gas a couple of times...*L*

[Dreamy]

Hrmmm....I'd like to see gd change a tire while supervising 3 little kids.

Gene lives in his world. Single healthy man,no small children in tow.

Then there is the other worlds other people live in. :lol:

[Mimiheart]

What happened to you Mimi was definitely unacceptable. And although I am a long time member of the auto club I would be furious if that had happened to me. And I would lodge a complaint. Was the delay because of a bad contractor? If so then AAA should be informed because perhaps they have other complaints and will drop him as a preferred contractor.

In the cold winters here I expect a delay but based on what you have explained here the delay was totally unacceptable.
I don't think it was the towing company. Actually, the guy there called me at 8:30 and told me he had just gotten the call from AAA, and wanted to know which Wells Fargo I was at. (Because, for some reason there are two in this parking lot.) Then he said he was juggling his guys to get to me as soon as possible.

[gosling2Lindy]

I don't think it was the towing company. Actually, the guy there called me at 8:30 and told me he had just gotten the call from AAA, and wanted to know which Wells Fargo I was at. (Because, for some reason there are two in this parking lot.) Then he said he was juggling his guys to get to me as soon as possible.

Sounds like it was a problem with the dispatcher at AAA then.

[gdoane]

Hrmmm....I'd like to see gd change a tire while supervising 3 little kids.

I'm a single white male. Most of my problems can be solved with creative applications of duct tape and a can of WD-40.

Three kids vs a roll of duct tape isn't even a challenge. How long do you want them supervised for? Longer than a week might take two rolls of duct tape.

[Mimiheart]

I'm a single white male. Most of my problems can be solved with creative applications of duct tape and a can of WD-40.

Three kids vs a roll of duct tape isn't even a challenge. How long do you want them supervised for? Longer than a week might take two rolls of duct tape.
*pictures Gene taped to the car with the kids laughing at him*

[Dreamy]

*pictures Gene taped to the car with the kids laughing at him*

:))

http://www.clickorlando.com/firstnews/9798038/detail.html

[gosling2Lindy]

*pictures Gene taped to the car with the kids laughing at him*

That would probably keep the kids occupied for a little while anyway. :D

[Mimiheart]

That would probably keep the kids occupied for a little while anyway. :D
five or ten minutes, at least...

[gdoane]

*pictures Gene taped to the car with the kids laughing at him*

WD-40 can fix that. All I need to fix any problem is a roll of duct tape and a can of WD-40.

[terri910]

Not sure I want to know what the three kids would have done to gdoane with his can of WD-40....










:eek:

[Dreamy]

SOME people might say that your elderly aunt shouldn't be driving, then. :rolleyes: Personally, I think your gift of AAA to her is a very thoughtful gift.

We have towing on our car insurance, too, but with our Premier AAA membership we have towing up to 100 miles, not "to the closest repair shop within 25 miles." Living 60 miles from Los Angeles and 45 miles from Santa Barbara, that has come in handy a few times, too.

And then there's my husband whose car is his "office" (he's in outside sales)...he sometimes gets so busy he forgets to look at the fuel gauge. He's had AAA bring a gallon of gas a couple of times...*L*

Thanks! I know what you mean. She was quite competent to drive but there sometimes comes a time when changing tires is not part of your skills set. lol

You have described some of my car woes. I too use my car as an office on wheels.

[Dreamy]

Not sure I want to know what the three kids would have done to gdoane with his can of WD-40....










:eek:

Hopefully called some of us using his cell phone to watch. :))

[AutoRacer55]

The drive from Baton Rouge, LA to Phoenix, AZ is 1243 Miles. To travel 1243 miles in 15 minutes or so would require driving at a speed of approximately 5,000 MPH or Mach 7.5.

The Thrust SSC is the only vehicle to ever break Mach 1 on land (World Land Speed Record 766.6 MPH) so the likelihood of hitting 6 times that speed driving is between slim and none.

Besides, we have speed cameras on the I-10 Freeway here in Phoenix. You'd get a ticket for sure.

Allow me to rephrase.

If I was in the general vicinity (few miles or so) from where she was, it could have been done in 15 minutes starting from when I got the spare tire out of wherever it is stored in the car.

[AutoRacer55]

WD-40 can fix that. All I need to fix any problem is a roll of duct tape and a can of WD-40.

Engine block is split wide open.

gogo.

[gdoane]

Engine block is split wide open.

gogo.


Duct tape solution... Tow Rope.:angel:

[EnchantedFrog]

Engine block is split wide open.

gogo.
If that were to happen, I would be glad I decided to not invest in AAA fees and instead use the money for a taxi ride to a local car dealership. :D

[khigh]

WD-40 can fix that. All I need to fix any problem is a roll of duct tape and a can of WD-40.

Don't forget the bailing wire! That's what held on the bumper of my last car for years.

I knew a guy in high school that wrapped his whole car in duct tape. It ended up becoming a fad until everyone realized that duct tape strips paint. Glad I didn't do it.

[AutoRacer55]

Duct tape solution... Tow Rope.:angel:

Let's see...

split foundation

[wayoverthehill]

Just keep in mind not everyone is a healthy enough to change a tire or young enough. I gave my elderly aunt AAA. It was a wise gift.

Also some areas are not safe to change a tire. Towing is a must or a police assist is needed.You are so right. I know I wouldn't be able to physically do it although I know how to change a tire and have done it in my younger years.

So all I can say is Thank God for Onstar! Costs me 18.95 a month and well worth it if only for the peace of mind.

[wayoverthehill]

*pictures Gene taped to the car with the kids laughing at him*I could see that happening.

[Mimiheart]

So... AAA has sent me a letter of apology and 3 movie tickets. "This is not the type of service you have come to expect from AAA Arizona, nor should it be."

[Spiked101]

So... AAA has sent me a letter of apology and 3 movie tickets. "This is not the type of service you have come to expect from AAA Arizona, nor should it be."

Glad to see they apologized. They should have.

[angelicmadrigal]

Gene lives in his world. Single healthy man,no small children in tow.

Then there is the other worlds other people live in. :lol:

Exactly, I'm trying to imagine what would happen if I tried changing a tire with 3 of my children from school, even the BEST BEHAVED ones would still be a challenge I think. I may be taking 6 kids to the zoo over the summer (ages 2-5), and my bf has already been enlisted to help. I don't feel comfortable traveling and supervising that many little kids in such a large area by myself.

[AutoRacer55]

So... AAA has sent me a letter of apology and 3 movie tickets. "This is not the type of service you have come to expect from AAA Arizona, nor should it be."

What movie was it?

[Dreamy]

So... AAA has sent me a letter of apology and 3 movie tickets. "This is not the type of service you have come to expect from AAA Arizona, nor should it be."

Very good. I am glad you complained. That is the only way things can change.