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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:
Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 01:48

Someone tell me this is all a big joke, you just couldn't make it up could you.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 01:49

No wonder RAC are not answering my calls is there! Angry

OP posts:
ReanimatedSGB · 30/06/2018 01:54

Oh your poor DP - and his poor DD - how old is she, and was she stuck waiting at a restaurant for him or something? I know that wouldn't be the RAC's problem but still a bit tiresome.
I hope he's OK and gets somewhere to sleep soon.

Chopchopbusybusy · 30/06/2018 01:57

That is shockingly bad service. I had cause to complain to the RAC about bad service and emailed the CEO. They did treat my complaint more seriously once I’d done that (@laudersyme DFOD). I still didn’t renew with them though.
I hope he’s home safely soon.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 02:01

Thanks for replying everyone - even you Lauder Wink

His DD is Uni age, and it was to celebrate her final exhibition. The meal was to have been afterwards, so luckily she would be able to stay with her friends, and do something afterwards with them.

It's now 2am, the taxi and B'down should be with him, and am waiting for a call to say he's on his way home - but who knows just what might happen next!

OP posts:
HRMTheQueen · 30/06/2018 02:03

Hope his phone hangs on OP. Taxi might have a charger, or a phone for that matter, if not.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 02:08

Good morning your Maj! Good you could join us. Grin

His taxi has arrived - hallelujah!!! But they're now sat waiting for the b'down trck. RAC didn't think to tell my DP any details of the service being used, so no idea what's going to arrive. ....or when.,

OP posts:
HRMTheQueen · 30/06/2018 02:11

Hurrah! Sort of. Does he have to wait for the breakdown? I mean it’s not going anywhere is it?

Who pays the taxi? Wouldn’t want shares in RAC is they are shelling out for people sit around waiting for breakdown trucks to appear out of nowhere.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 02:19

RAC is paying for the taxi as they've sent it.

Yes, he's waiting for the breakdown as he wants to know who's got the car, wants paperwork and pics to prove it too. otherwise it could just disappear - we're really not happy at this sort of relay service - 'twould've been much better for one vehicle to bring both home together. But hey, what do we know.

OP posts:
HRMTheQueen · 30/06/2018 02:20

It’s not good enough.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 02:27

Well your Maj, as top woman, what's to do? Orf with their heads perchance? Wink TBH - I'm shattered, but can't sleep until he gets home now, so will use the time putting a missive together for the RAC monday morning tea break.

OP posts:
HRMTheQueen · 30/06/2018 02:28

Well I think the R in RAC stands for “royal” doesn’t it, so maybe something should be done about that.

Original poster
BlackStoneCherie · 30/06/2018 02:33

I think the bottom line tonight is, as with everything else, the RAC have been found out. They've pared away vehicles and staff until they have only a rudimentary service, which can cope most times until a bad day/night appears. Then they're overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, their charges go up and up. Interestingly, earlier tonight I found this-
RAC facing refund costs over breakdown cover renewal letters ...
www.theguardian.com/.../rac-facing-millions-in-refund-costs-over-breakdown-...

OP posts:
HRMTheQueen · 30/06/2018 03:02

Any news?

TwoBlueShoes · 30/06/2018 03:16

Hope he makes it safely home soon. Flowers

I have to say I’m a tad skeptical at the poster who claims to keep tubs of yogurt and hummus in the boot in case of emergencies. 😂

HRMTheQueen · 30/06/2018 03:18

Maybe they’re in a cold climate? Or carry an esky?

HRMTheQueen · 30/06/2018 05:19

Hope he got back ok OP.

Ninabean17 · 30/06/2018 05:41

I hope he got back op! Don't stay with the RAC a minute longer than you have to, they're awful

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 30/06/2018 05:44

I am sorry but why should women get priority? I am a woman and I think this is unfair. This is not the titanic.

Freetogo · 30/06/2018 05:50

Thats disgusting.

I pay £5.50 a month for Green Flag, they usually get to me within 45 minutes to an hour.

That includes home assistance, they changed my tyre on my driveway as I couldnt do it Blush (They sent a local garage - from 1 mile away)

I hope your DH is o.k, its not acceptable.

Honestly change today!

borntobequiet · 30/06/2018 05:57

I have had truly excellent service from Green Flag for many years now, highly recommend switching to them.

snewname · 30/06/2018 06:19

What time did he get home?

onalongsabbatical · 30/06/2018 06:31

Early riser here, just reading the thread. I hope he got home safely and you’re both having a VERY well-deserved sleep. That is really shocking and can’t be called a ‘service’, it’s a bloody shambles. I understand why women are prioritised, it’s because we live in a rubbish world where a women left in that position is vulnerable to a passing man trying to take advantage of her situation, but that doesn’t mean a man can be left until he’s starving and exhausted, does it? They obviously can’t cope with the commitment they’ve taken on and I’d be going straight to the CEO too, how else to we get improvement except by justifiably complaining, there’s nothing self-important about it. Certainly good idea to keep food in the car though – choccie would do it and keep better than hummus! I’m imagining a hummus replacement rota to keep it all fresh…no. Let us know he's safe.

maskingtape · 30/06/2018 06:33

I've always had excellent service from the RAC. I've called them out 5 times over about 18 years. They've never been longer than an hour. One even spent 3 hours with me as he insisted once he'd made the repair that he follow me home (2 hours away) to ensure the repair held and was safe after the journey. He was such a lovely guy. They all have been.

aurorie11 · 30/06/2018 06:35

My husband had a similarish experience with Green Flag, broke down around 4pm on a Wednesday took about 6 hours to get a truck out. They drove him back after not being able to fix car, got home about 2am. Had to take next day off work