I am on holiday (remote Northumberland).
Sat eve car poured smoke and became very hot.
I pulled into layby and called breakdown.
Person I spoke to was both confused and rude.
I was not able to provide a postcode but said I could see a chain pub sign further along the A road from layby and it looked 'about a mile away'. She told me to walk and I explained that I am disabled and had two children in the car and felt distressed. They asked for my destination postcode and I gave the holiday one. Stupidly.
I realised I needed towed to my usual garage (as holiday hamlet prob doesnt even have a garage) and called straight back. Was told 'job allocated now, cannot change postcode'. I explained and was told 'driver cant go there, it's 300 miles and will be over his tacho'. I said it was actually around 85m. If needed I'd pay. They would call back with a quote. They never did.
After 1.5 hours I called to ask where tow was, to be told: 'it's been subcontracted twice, they'll be with you soon'. Eventually, after the tow truck had passed us twice (theyd been told we were in pub car park) we ere rescued (over 3 hours later). We got back to holiday hamlet (nearly 4 hours later). There was no garage available (tow guy said back to cottage OR go looking for garage, cant do both).
So, I put kids to bed and had a bit of a weep.
Tried to start car today. It starts but still smoke/heat but now ALSO banging and high whining noise. Not drivable to any garage.
Called recovery to ask for tow to m'y usual garage to be told NO: 'sam fault, and you chose not to go there on Sat'. But we'll take you for a fee (still unclarified).
Is this as shit as it seems?