Triple A (road service) rant

[Sigarms]

My parents got me a triple A card which had proved invaluable over the years, and I got my boys the same card.

Son was coming home from the Air Force Base to sell a rear axel he had up for sale, get a phone call...

His car was having electrical issues on I-77 north of Columbia SC and he was sitting on an off ramp. He called Triple A before us, Triple A told him they couldn't get a tow truck driver out until tomorrow sometime. I called Triple A, they had his case on file, and was told the same thing.

I called a local tow truck driver (to the town where my son was stuck in SC) and he's towing the truck back to the AFB. I'll talk to my son about what he should have done on his own, but I could tell he was frazzled.

I'm just wondering now exactly what am I paying for with Triple A?

Don't get me wrong, moving to WV in my VW, had to get a hour tow from Maryland into WV at 2 in the morning. More than a couple of times over 30 years that card has helped me, but now I'm just scratching my head.

Law of economics I guess. For what triple A may pay vs the amount of tow trucks vs the people that are members that might need a tow is getting to the point where they can't keep up?

Rant over...

Plus note, tow truck driver who actually cared and picked up the phone who is in business was actually kind of refreshing. Kids screaming the back ground on his end and he was apologizing because they get cranky at night and loud..Told him I just appreciated the fact that he picked up the phone.

Wife told me as I'm typing this that our son texted and getting the car towed back an hour south of him.

 

[sandman2234]

Triple a also has some pretty strict limitations on just how far they will tow the car.
David from jax

 

[Sigarms]

Triple a also has some pretty strict limitations on just how far they will tow the car.
David from jax

I guess I'm stupid... I pay a little more for an annual membership. Have at least 100 mile range on it.

They did tell me I can submit the tow charge for reimbursement.

That's going to kick the kid in the nuts after he has no clue what his car is going to run him after a mechanic looks at it next week most likely. Have no clue how much money the kid has in his account now, but he's finding out quickly that running back home because he has a girlfriend is costing him more than he knows.

 

[sandman2234]

I went after my Daughter and her car one night because of the neighborhood and time of night when She hit a serious pothole and took out a tire (and rim). I couldn't get her low slung car over the appex of the dovetail on my trailer, so we called Triple A. They had a 10 mile restriction, or to nearest shop and I wanted it 25 miles to my house. Nothing doing, so I had them pick it up, and taken to nearby safe parking lot and dropped...but dropped onto my trailer. All I needed was a couple inches to clear the hump and that was easily done with a rollback.
My Mom and I have since discontinued our membership.
David from jax

 

[ultrarunner]

Long family history with AAA and my great great aunts rambler which I have has her windshield sticker member since 1927.

Mom a member since 1958 and I have many decades.

We have extended towing that twice left us stranded in town.

The first time AAA waived the next years renewal fee and the second time it said too bad.

The first time it was 1:30 in the afternoon and thermostat stuck… vehicle insured by AAA

I was told it would be the next day before they could come get it and in any event no passengers in tow truck.

It was industrial section of East Oakland and no way was I leaving my truck overnight… said I have full AAA coverage and a tow is way cheaper than replacing a stolen truck.

Called my brother 45 miles away and he said let me park the tractor and he hitched up my PJ trailer to his Super Duty and was there an hour later…

The second time AAA said they don’t tow 3/4 vans… which also AAA insured.

So 2 calls for service in 25 years a no go.

When they dropped the name Motorland from its magazine to be more politically correct is when it started moving away from the auto side and focusing on insurance, home security and travel services.

 

[WM75Guy]

I have Onstar on all 3 vehicles. Three years of coverage is included in the price of new GMC vehicles. Have used towing once when I broke down in Tyler. They tow to the nearest GM dealer for free. I paid a little extra to get it to my GMC dealer here in Athens. My wife used it when she had a flat tire on the road. In both cases they showed up within an hour of pushing the button. I have used the Onstar diagnostics several times over the years for check engine lights. In every case they told me what the code was, advised it was OK to drive for 7 days before seeking service, and sent me an email with the information to take to the dealer for service.

 

[Streetcar]

Locally AAA. Is buying car washes and tire shops. Most tows are from their own trucks as low rates has most independent shops dropping them

 

[Jstpssng]

I went after my Daughter and her car one night because of the neighborhood and time of night when She hit a serious pothole and took out a tire (and rim). I couldn't get her low slung car over the appex of the dovetail on my trailer, so we called Triple A. They had a 10 mile restriction, or to nearest shop and I wanted it 25 miles to my house. Nothing doing, so I had them pick it up, and taken to nearby safe parking lot and dropped...but dropped onto my trailer. All I needed was a couple inches to clear the hump and that was easily done with a rollback.
My Mom and I have since discontinued our membership.
David from jax

It depends on what level you pay. I have up to a hundred miles of towing. It's 200 miles from my driveway to my mother's so if I ever broke down I could get someplace either way

 

[D&D]

My parents got me a triple A card which had proved invaluable over the years, and I got my boys the same card.

His car was having electrical issues on I-77 north of Columbia SC and he was sitting on an off ramp. He called Triple A before us, Triple A told him they couldn't get a tow truck driver out until tomorrow sometime. I called Triple A, they had his case on file, and was told the same thing.

Did you know AAA is a motor club that mostly contracts out the work? With 5 or 6 trucks, motor clubs can keep the trucks busy, but you have to wait on the check. If you have one or two trucks you might not want to fool with their paperwork, delays and lowball payments.
Your son must have broken down somewhere that they don’t have coverage.

 

[2515R Dude]

Gaiko is $10 for 6 months no limitation I think

 

[Sigarms]

Did you know AAA is a motor club that mostly contracts out the work? With 5 or 6 trucks, motor clubs can keep the trucks busy, but you have to wait on the check. If you have one or two trucks you might not want to fool with their paperwork, delays and lowball payments.
Your son must have broken down somewhere that they don’t have coverage.

1 - I know they contract out all their work. Generally why I tip the tow truck driver as it's not costing me anything other than my membership.

2- I find it hard to believe that 30 miles north of a city with a population of 150,000 people they (Triple A) doesn't have coverage.

3 - Triple A told me they had coverage, just that they couldn't get someone to him at least until the next day.

Like I had mentioned, BFE Maryland on 68 going to WV to move. Had to walk to a gas station to make a call (luckily gas station was open as this was before I owned a cell phone).

Sorry, having a kid on the side of the road at 9PM out in the middle of nowhere telling him you won't be able to get to him to the next day is pushing my customer service expectations, particularly where the only place to sleep is in your car on an off ramp.

A basic business principal on service plans is you pay more on different plans because the benefits increase, but by the same token, the company offering those plans make more gross profit.

I know I had at least 100 milage coverage for towing on our family plan, and at worst, they should have been able to take him somewhere within 6 hours of the initial phone call IMO.

 

[Sigarms]

Gaiko is $10 for 6 months no limitation I think

Tow truck driver I called was great.

Old fashion business owner who is in the customer service business. Read his business reviews this morning, all said the same thing I felt calling him at 9:30 at night out of the blue.

I'll take my invoice from him to Triple A for reimbursement.

I'll be addressing my issues with Triple A next week along with the invoice. I may be looking at another service company in this field as my card expires in a couple of months with Triple A.

At least this will be a learning experience for my son. Broke down in the middle of the night in the middle of no where, do you have what you need in your vehicle to get by?

This is also another teaching moment to him as to why we get on him driving home at night on a Friday instead of coming up on a Saturday morning.

 

[D&D]

2- I find it hard to believe that 30 miles north of a city with a population of 150,000 people they (Triple A) doesn't have coverage.

3 - Triple A told me they had coverage, just that they couldn't get someone to him at least until the next day.

If they only had 2 companies and both were busy….Simple economics also, AAA is a low tier club. Let’s say AAA pays $20 for a flat, CCM pays $30 for a flat and cash pays $40. AAA pays $30 for hook and 1.50 per mile, CCM pays $40 for hook and 1.75 per mile, cash is $100 for hook and 3.00 per mile. Where are you gonna send your truck?

Of course they say they have coverage. Anyone can say anything.

 

[Sigarms]

If they only had 2 companies and both were busy….Simple economics also, AAA is a low tier club. Let’s say AAA pays $20 for a flat, CCM pays $30 for a flat and cash pays $40. AAA pays $30 for hook and 1.50 per mile, CCM pays $40 for hook and 1.75 per mile, cash is $100 for hook and 3.00 per mile. Where are you gonna send your truck?

Of course they say they have coverage. Anyone can say anything.

Completely understand your comments.

Only point being that in 30 years, first time I ever really had a issue, and being stuck 30 miles north of a city with a population of 150k, I find it surprising.

Sorry if Triple A is a low tier club. When my parents joined, I didn't know many of these companies existed and so far, no complaints. Still remember as a kid when my parents were planning a vacation and them getting the trip tic "book" with the yellow highlights on where to go LOL.

 

[LouNY]

I have only had half a dozen vehicles towed in my lifetime, most of those accidents. In the recent times my "15" RAM lost a sensor while under warranty. Picked up and towed in about an hour. Knock on wood I have had good luck in the towing department even when the kids were driving and living at home.

 

[Oaktree]

AAA pays $20 for a flat, CCM pays $30 for a flat and cash pays $40.

What's CCM?

 

[Sigarms]

What's CCM?

I was going to ask, but that may be for another thread after talking with Triple A next week

 

[D&D]

What's CCM?

Cross country motor club

 

[deserteagle71]

Wife and I both had AAA memberships but dropped them after we found out they would refuse to respond to calls off pavement. Wife had a flat on a wide smooth graded road near town and AAA told her "Sorry". We were not the only ones who've had this problem with AAA...lots of stories like this with people complaining about AAA saying their coverage was everywhere but when they were called they refused if it was off pavement:

 

[Sigarms]

Wife and I both had AAA memberships but dropped them after we found out they would refuse to respond to calls off pavement.

Wow

Spent a lot of time in Utah in my younger years. There is a difference between being out 50 miles being on BLM land from the nearest paved road and 2 miles from your house from a paved road. Seems like there is a crap load of "unpaved" roads out west.

I've had AAA come out to my home to tow a vehicle, and the driveway is only 100 yards long, but it is unpaved. Curious how they make that distinction.

I would think that most of the tow truck drivers in your area have common sense and know what can and can't be done in their local area on roads.

Heck, I know a lot of unpaved roads in better condition that some of the interstates in Pennsylvania.