Car Breakdown - AA - Poor service?

[LittleLlama]

Our car broke down yesterday in a Car Park. I phoned the AA and to cut a long story short from initially phoning them to arriving home was nearly eight hours. Plus the problem wasn’t resolved. The car had to stay in the car park overnight and they have now sent a tow truck today to take it to a garage.

I realise I was not a priority as there were no children involved and the car was in a safe place. However, their initial communication said they would only be 35 minutes. The time gradually increased through out the day. Am I being mistaken that this is totally unacceptable or is this the level of service you should expect from the AA? Asking because a friend said this was totally normal.

It’s a level of service appropriate for your level of risk.

You were presumably only adults and already in a safe place and therefore not in immediate danger, I’d just be grateful for that to be honest!

We broke down in June, a 2 year old and a 6 month old in the car, broken down on the motorway, AA were with us in 35 mins ish. They have to prioritise and reprioritise as calls come in and an adult already safe in a car park is always going to get bumped down in comparison to those with young children, vulnerable adults, in unsafe locations etc.

That is absolutely shit, especially if you were a woman out on your own. I wouldn’t believe a word that organisation says. Last time I had the misfortune to use them because the EML kept coming on recording a camshaft and crankshaft sensor fault, the mechanic actually laughed at me and said don’t be silly, of course it’s not the timing chain. Lo and behold dear reader, of course it was the timing chain. I know what the bloody fault codes mean, I just needed it verified by them so I could get it booked in. Arseholes. Then I turned up at the garage after they told me they’d rung ahead and booked it in as a priority to find the garage had no idea who I was. Or booked me the loan car they said they had. Absolute shit show. Never again.

I've read so many stories like this about the AA I would be very reluctant to join. It's not even cheap and there are other breakdown services like GEM.

They are advertising alot on the TV at the moment.

I was on my own but didn’t feel too uncomfortable until it got quite dark and my phone was only on 5%. Fortunately they then arrived.

AA and RAC are no longer fit for purpose. We have cover through our insurance and it was 55 minutes from calling to being loaded onto the truck, no vulnerability, it’s what they do. 3rd time we have been rescued in recent years (don’t ask!) and 3rd successive great service

Had a dreadful experience with AA. They used to be good but I’d never, ever use them again. One of the worst companies I’ve ever had the misfortune to call. The actual drivers that come out are great when they eventually arrive. But the customer service is shocking. And the garages they take you to are equally shocking and a total rip off.

I’m sure lots of people have great experiences with the AA - we were tempted to move to them after an experience which, I hate to say as I know it’s not a competition, trumps yours with its competitor.
For those interested it involved an overnight wait on an in the middle of nowhere unlit B road in Wales on a Sunday evening, were the delay in getting someone to assist was blamed on the volume calls they were getting as a result of the Glastonbury Festival. When someone eventually turned up some 13 hours later they had been sent from a garage in Birmingham!
I think both the AA and the RAC are tarred with the same brush and make promises they are unable to keep.
Hope you’ve complained about the service you received OP.

I only renew AA because I have always had them. I don't know what's the alternatives that are good now.