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AAA Auto Club - Central Penn BEWARE - Locked out 30 miles from home - WOULD NOT HELP ME!! Harrisburg Pennsylvania
My husband's car (also a member) was at a dealer for service yesterday (Firday). It did not suit us to pick it up until today (Saturday). They were only open until 11:00 a.m. today so I paid via credit card over the phone yesterday and told them to lock the paperwork and key/remote in it as we have another set.
We were picking it up on hubby's way to work at 2:30 pm on the motorcycle today. When we got there I realized I had inadvertantly picked up my key chain instead of his, which had the other key on it. Hubby only had the bike key. I sent him off to work stating I would call AAA, which I did.
When I told them where I was (car dealer lot) he immediately asked me if the car was there for service. Of course, I said yes, it was in yesterday and we are picking it up today and I brought the wrong set of keys.
He then proceeded to tell my that it was AAA "policy" that unless someone at the dealer could verify that I didn't OWE THE DEALER MONEY he couldn't send anyone out to let me in. (remember the dealer closed at 11 a.m.)
What responsibility is it of AAA to refuse me (their paying member) service because I might owe someone (not affiliated with them) money? How is this their business? And where do they tell you that this will be a refusal of service? I have since scanned their web-site and could find nothing addressing this issue. He never asked if I could verify that I owned the car via registration, etc. Ownership apparently wasn't even the issue. It was whether or not I had paid the bill for the dealer's service. I wasn't even asking for a tow. Only to get in to MY OWN CAR!
Isn't their primary and fiduciary responsibility to me, their PAYING MEMBER? I will be cancelling my membership on Monday. I am also assuming they will not refund the balance of my membership (good until 3/10) so know that we will be using the remaining service calls whether we need them or not!!!!!
Jennifer
Millersburg, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
KIM
Santee,California,
U.S.A.
huh?
#5Consumer Suggestion
Sun, July 19, 2009
Are you serious, they do not know if you owe the car dealer money or are just trying to beat the car dealer out of money.
The car dealer could sue them for allowing you to take the car.
You ewill find that all of the other companies have the same policy.
How far is it to go get the hubbies keys?
There is not rip off here.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
AAA was correct..
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, July 18, 2009
"What responsibility is it of AAA to refuse me (their paying member) service because I might owe someone (not affiliated with them) money? How is this their business?"
- Because when you dropped the car off for service you signed an agreement that said you would pay for all services rendered. It also states that until it is paid they have legal right to keep the car. You can look up a "Mechanic's lien" if you want more information.
So IF(and I am not saying you did) the bill was not paid, and AAA came over then not only could you be in trouble for taking the car, but they could be in trouble for assisting you in taking the car.
You didn't say if you had tried to call any other locksmith or tow company, but if you did I bet they told(or would tell) you the same thing.
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
You Are Incorrect
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, July 18, 2009
Jennifer, the primary responsibility AAA has is to its members, but not to provide service that would open themselves to liability. That's exactly what you asked them to do and that sort of practice results in higher rates to its customers. Their response to you was consistent with the idea od protecting you and all AAA customers. AAA would be on the hook to the auto repair shop if they unlocked the door for you without your car bill being fully paid.
I would not be so rash as to cancel memebrship at this point; I assure you the service you get far outweighs the fees you pay, not to mention all of the other AAA discounts you can get simply by being a member. This is not a rip off.
Best of luck to you....
Robert
Ft Eustis,Virginia,
U.S.A.
AAA is correct, YOU are wrong
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, July 18, 2009
If AAA had sent someone out to assist you, they would have been in the wrong. Had you owed the repair shop, then AAA (and the company they hired in their behalf) would have been guilty of assisting you commit a crime. It's called "theft of services".
They know the law. YOU do not.
Curious though...Why did your husband not wait until you were in the vehicle before he left? Right keys-wrong keys, who cares. He should have stayed. Had he known you had the wrong keys, he would have been able to run you back home.