Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to be so, so cross.......

132 replies

BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 00:45

.....at the RAC?

My partner broke down in the car hours ago on his way to a special event. He called the RAC just after 5pm and was told someone would be there between 6pm - 10pm, so a maximum wait of 5 hours.

Got to 10.20pm he called again , only to be told they were now sending out a local breakdown service , which would be there imminently.

It wasn't. But no communication from the RAC to my DP to say why.

I then called them from home and got them to call him back, only for them to say it would be another 70 mins before help arrives.

He's out in the middle of the countryside, his phone charge is now low, and has been stranded for over 7 hours. He's over 120 miles from home, so even if they arrive now, it's going to be at least 3.30 - 4.00am before he get's back here.

Our renewal is due next week!

OP posts:
planetsweet · 30/06/2018 00:47

That’s awful. Wasn’t there any other way to get home?

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 00:50

No, he's 10 miles or so from anywhere major. We only have the one car, so I couldn't go collect him. Neighbours don't have tow bars, so couldn't help. But this is why we pay for breakdown cover!

OP posts:
AornisHades · 30/06/2018 00:51

That's poor. Take your custom elsewhere.

planetsweet · 30/06/2018 00:51

Poor guy. Does he have water? Food?

Apileofballyhoo · 30/06/2018 00:52

That's very very poor. I'd be looking for a refund or compensation of some sort.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 00:54

He took 2 bottles of water with him, but no food. It was to be a celebration night with his DD (I should be there too but am not well so stayed home) so had a table booked. Obviously he had to cancel that. The last time he ate was lunchtime, so 12 hours ago.

OP posts:
ElderflowerWaterIsDelish · 30/06/2018 00:54

Make sure you put in a complaint, that is shoddy customer service...and ask for a full explanation of why it's took so long to send someone out to him

marymoosmum · 30/06/2018 00:55

This happened to my dad. He broke down on the way to London (he is a taxi driver) and by the time he got home it had been about 14 hours since he had broken down. He was told it was because they were been called out to women that were broken down and on their own and because he was a man he was less of a priority even though he had been stranded for hours. He complained and got some cash compensation. He is also with RAC.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 00:56

It stinks doesn't it! Our renewal is due soon, and the charge has jumped up nearly £20 for this year - well, I don't think so.

It's pitch black where he is, now very cold too. The 70 mins they quoted is up in 9 mins time, so if they don't turn up I shall have to call again for thre 3rd time. ....was on hold 48 mins last time!!!

OP posts:
Skiiltan · 30/06/2018 00:57

This happened to me a few years ago. Friday evening is peak time for call-outs and male drivers without children in the car are lowest priority. My insurance included RAC breakdown cover. I also waited for several hours before being told they would send a local breakdown truck instead, which in this case arrived within half an hour. But the local breakdown service won't try to get you started again: they'll just take you to a garage, hotel or home, depending on level of cover and preferred option. I don't think RAC cover is worth having, as in many cases they simply won't turn up. That said, I've just had to take out a new car insurance policy (50% lower premium for same cover) but unfortunately the breakdown cover is still with the RAC. D'oh!

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 00:59

marymoosmum I think that's what's happened here, but it shouldn't. How do they know he's not disabled, or fallen ill or anything. Equality should mean just that - right across the board!

OP posts:
busybarbara · 30/06/2018 00:59

Very poor service. Even if he were in the outer Hebrides I'd expect better. Definitely complain. This is why I keep some tubs of hummus and yoghurt in the boot, you never know.

Homemadearmy · 30/06/2018 00:59

That’s awful, I hope they have turned up noe

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 01:00

I've already left a message on their FB page - can't post publicly for some reason. All their offices, social teams etc are closed ! Awful service!

OP posts:
Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 01:01

Army, no, no sign yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 01:03

There is going to be a really strong complaint to their CEO first thing on Monday.
It shouldn't matter how busy they are, they should have the infrastructure to cope with this. This is what membership fees are paid for.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 01:03

I just want him home, safe. Sad

OP posts:
Fluffyears · 30/06/2018 01:13

@busybarbara, do they not go off if not refrigerated? You’d be better with cereal bars.

LauderSyme · 30/06/2018 01:14

I was kind of sympathetic in a "shit happens" < shrug > kind of way but then you said your complaint is going straight to the CEO and your self-importance lost me.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 01:15

Well good for you Lauder

OP posts:
IWantMyHatBack · 30/06/2018 01:30

Hmm Lauder.

Arum51 · 30/06/2018 01:35

Are you on Twitter? Twitter rant in the morning. They scan for mentions. I mentioned them in a tweet (didn't @ them) and they replied with a bit of banter. Twitter is very good for things like this!

Littlemissdaredevil · 30/06/2018 01:35

Is your DP on his way home now?

Bloodybridget · 30/06/2018 01:44

Oh for god's sake Lauder! How fucking self-righteous are you?

OP that is truly crap. Hope your DP is on his way home now.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 01:47

Arum no not on Twitter unfortunately.

Littlemis - no, he got another call to say that they are now sending him a taxi which will bring him home. However the car will be taken by a breakdown truck to secure storage overnight. They will then transport it halfway to here tomorrow, then hand it over to another breakdown service truck at a service station. The 2nd truck will then bring it back here.

The taxi and breakdown won't be with my DP until 2 am now apparently , so it's looking like 5am at the earliest before he gets home!

OP posts: