Problems With AAA

[abscate]

It’s much less hassle to do local tows with a chain and a skilled spouse.

I have successfully pulled of the solid bar tow now three times , which doesn’t need a towed driver. Gather up this stuff from Harbor Fright

2 foot 2 inch receiver
Large Clevis tow end
Shackles
Safety chain

And join this elite club

[cuhfs]

Last two times I needed AAA it was a total nightmare (they said wait is 2 hours, then 2 more hours then 2 more hours and on and on and on.... (I had AAA Plus plan for many years with no issues in the past). Last week I finally gave up after 2 DAYS of waiting for a tow and I complained to AAA about their service. I also called a few tow truck companies to find out why AAA was so bad lately and I found out they are paying such a low fee to the towing companies that they are having a hard time getting tow companies to work for them in my area.. I also called AAA and their rep told me to go to their website and they have a reimbursement form if I hire my own tow. Finally, I hired a tow truck to take the car. I have now submitted a $300 bill from last weeks tow and I will see if they reimburse me and / or what they do about it. It was their lack of contractual performance (I pay for their service monthly (4 AAA Plus plan members)) that left car stranded and made me have to hire a towing company on my own. Will report upon their resolution.

[abscate]

Once I complete my move to the Islsnd I’ll drop them and self insure. I have three towing companies, a dolly, and a chain , so I’ll do my own recoveries.

Jump starts, batteries,gas… not needed.

[Krons]

It’s much less hassle to do local tows with a chain and a skilled spouse.

I have successfully pulled of the solid bar tow now three times , which doesn’t need a towed driver. Gather up this stuff from Harbor Fright

2 foot 2 inch receiver
Large Clevis tow end
Shackles
Safety chain

And join this elite club

I'm a self-reliant type like Abscate but too many scary situations with chains (goes bad when they break) have me go the tow strap route vs chain. Especially good in winter when tow companies are swamped. Always keep a strap and recovery gear in my truck, pondered putting a strap in cars too.

I've been fortunate here with AAA, maybe they have a better network of service providers where I am at.

[MrAl]

It doesn't matter if you are the 10th owner. Free towing applies to even the oldest Volvo on the road. June

Thank you very much June for this very very valuable information. I had absolutely no idea that this was the rule.
All i could say is, WOW, just wonder why no one else knew this yet.
Almost cant wait to try it out (ha ha) OK i can wait ha ha, but when in need this will help so very much.
I feel like i should give you some money

Thanks so much.

As to AAA, i was thinking maybe it was just this area, but that doesnt seem to be the case at all.
When they do send a truck it has to come from 20 miles away. So that tells me they do not have many garages that are affiliated with them. I may request a list of garages that they deal with just to see how many there are in NJ, especially Central NJ.

Thanks to all for the replies and experiences and opinions.

[MrAl]

It doesn't matter if you are the 10th owner. Free towing applies to even the oldest Volvo on the road. June

I’ll dig up the contact information and post up here. This is really good to know. I bet the other good part is they know how to receive cars after hours so you don’t get caught in that malarkey.

Wow that would be so great, thanks so much for that too.
Maybe i should give you some money too

[June]

It doesn't matter if you are the 10th owner. Free towing applies to even the oldest Volvo on the road. June

Thank you very much June for this very very valuable information. I had absolutely no idea that this was the rule.
All i could say is, WOW, just wonder why no one else knew this yet.
Almost cant wait to try it out (ha ha) OK i can wait ha ha, but when in need this will help so very much.
I feel like i should give you some money

Thanks so much.

As to AAA, i was thinking maybe it was just this area, but that doesnt seem to be the case at all.
When they do send a truck it has to come from 20 miles away. So that tells me they do not have many garages that are affiliated with them. I may request a list of garages that they deal with just to see how many there are in NJ, especially Central NJ.

Thanks to all for the replies and experiences and opinions.

Glad I could help! Why pay for a tow to the dealership when it's free? I'm still a AAA platinum member although once this year runs out I will never renew. Since I only service at the dealership it makes better sense to utilize Volvo's free service. Don’t forget to always tip the tow truck driver no matter what service you choose to use. June

[cuhfs]

MrAl - AAA in Northwest NJ four of the closest towing companies told me they wont tow for AAA in my area because they don't pay enough.

[MoVolvos]

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35 years with AAA Roadside and had more than 30 with Car Insurance. The problems are all area related and AAA has separate regions in the US so unrelated to each other though under AAA banner. There is a hospital in Watts where police officers if injured don't want to be sent to because of the caliber of the medical staff. NC's AAA car insurance service quality was unlike that in CA so had dropped them after 30 years but kept the Roadside. Rarely used it all these years but had decided to up to the Premium and have used it twice in 5 years. Fast and efficient and good customer service in our area regardless of traffic conditions.


*

[MrAl]

It doesn't matter if you are the 10th owner. Free towing applies to even the oldest Volvo on the road. June

Thank you very much June for this very very valuable information. I had absolutely no idea that this was the rule.
All i could say is, WOW, just wonder why no one else knew this yet.
Almost cant wait to try it out (ha ha) OK i can wait ha ha, but when in need this will help so very much.
I feel like i should give you some money

Thanks so much.

As to AAA, i was thinking maybe it was just this area, but that doesnt seem to be the case at all.
When they do send a truck it has to come from 20 miles away. So that tells me they do not have many garages that are affiliated with them. I may request a list of garages that they deal with just to see how many there are in NJ, especially Central NJ.

Thanks to all for the replies and experiences and opinions.

Glad I could help! Why pay for a tow to the dealership when it's free? I'm still a AAA platinum member although once this year runs out I will never renew. Since I only service at the dealership it makes better sense to utilize Volvo's free service. Don’t forget to always tip the tow truck driver no matter what service you choose to use. June

Yeah right. So who do you call then when you need a tow now?