Complaint Review: AAA -

So, you do know AAA is not a free service? I pay for the premium level which means I am allowed 4 roadside services--even if I decide to drive out my gas intentially. If I use all 4 in one day, week or year is my choice. Again, I PAY for the service. You wouldn't pay for insurance and the company not cover your claim would you? That's like saying, 'well, they have paid a claim the past, so I guess they don't have to pay for this event.'

I have never had to call them for out of gas in the past. I would feel like it would be a waste of my 4 trips because, yes, this is a preventable issue. But, I don't drive this truck often nor for any long distance. Less gas in the tank is less weight pulling around. I have had years I never had to call them for any roadside assitance, and other years I have been truly thankful for the previously reliable service.

You guys seem to think that excuses them and provide less than the service they have provided in the past. If you were paying for a service, and your wife, mother, or daughter was stuck on the road when you couldn't get to them, and the company failed to assist, are you telling me you would only chastise your loved one and not the service provider? Sounds heartless to me, and blessed not to be related.

This report is not about my actions nor the repair shop--tho I feel like, even with full explanation of how AAA failed to provide service, you have mis-directed this to me and the shop. I called for assistance and not only did no one show up, there was no follow up as in previous service requests. And yes, the officer paid for 1 gallon of gas (he wanted to pay for more and I refused). The gallon got me home and to a station the next day--imagine that --crazy to think I know my truck's gas consumption.

The battery service call can be debated 100 ways. Doesn't mean I have to be happy with it just because you think I should.

The reality is that your call to them for gas was unwarranted.  If you're driving around with less than one-quarter tank anywhere, then you simply invite these sorts of problems.  The fact you THINK you have maybe a few gallons left once the gauge gets to a certain level just tells me you enjoy gambling.  Now, you indicate you gave the car to the mechanic with about a quarter tank of gas - clearly they will test drive it once they think the problem is fixed. 

The fact you're not happy they drove more than you thought is irrelevant; perhaps they didn't.  When they test drive the car, they aren't getting 16 miles to the gallon - it will be much less, like 10-12?  If it took them more than once or twice to figure out what the issues might have been, then yes they may test drive it more.  I would think you would rather have the truck fixed correctly, than not.

There would be no reason to be unhappy with the mechanic because they drove the truck more than you think they should have.  Their duty once you take the car to them for maintenance or repairs is for the truck to be fixed, no matter what.  Otherwide, they aren't doing their job.  You want to blame the mechanic for you being in a situation to call AAA for gas.  That one is on you.  Your tank should never have been that low when you dropped it off.

As far as the battery, based on what you're writing the garage replaced the battery and charged you about $100 for the battery...more or less.  AAA would have likely charged you at least $30-$35 more than that for the comparable product for convenience purposes.  Yeah, you probably paid more at the garage by about $30-$40.  I doubt you're that broken up about the money because it's the time and inconveneince that's far more important. 

The real issue is the AAA guy should have replaced the battery, not $40.  As I said you should contact AAA.  AAA contracts with local mechanics to perform such work in the field (the mechanics do not work for AAA).  AAA needs to be made aware their contracted mechanics are not performing the work customers expect - and that their contract with AAA should not be renewed.  In turn, that helps you and other AAA customers in the future.

Mary, i have the premier service..they towed a car 220 miles for me..tally to deland...I am pretty happy with them, however, i am aware of the limited amount of uses per year. Also, i use 4 wheel drive in remote areas....and i understand you are on your own if stranded. 

As far as your situation, its kinda on you. I dont let my gas get much under 1/2 and I address the first sign of starting or battery issues. 

 So I neglected to include the info prior to picking up my truck. I left it at the shop with 1/4 tank ( I can read gauges and know my fractions) for repairs. And I was aware they would need to test drive it. But it doesn't take a 1/4 tank for that. When I called the shop the day after running out to complain, the guy said he knew it was low and should have told me when I paid for it, but just didn't.

This complaint is about AAA, not the shop so I didn't need see the need to include all of that. When my low gas light comes on, I have an average of 3 gallons. At 16 mpg, there was no reason I couldn't make it the 4 miles home to get money/debit card. I didn't bring money with me to pick up truck because I knew I wouldn't need it since the repairs were paid for earlier.

I just couldn't take it home at the same time I paid. Hard to drive 2 vehicles by myself. And yes, you're correct--it would have cost me a battery and the 35. But the guy lied because he didn't want to do the job. My complaint about him was telling me it was a starter problem when it was the battery after all.

And I still believe it would not have been as much since I had it pay shop labor at 95 per hr and not the just 35 for labor. I've been out of school for a while, but I still think 95 is more than 35. Thanks for your constructive criticism. Not that you were of any help with the resolve.

my truck ran out of gas (repair shop drove my gas out and didn't inform me).  You know, there is a gas gauge on your dashboard.  No one ever needs to tell you whether they drove your gas out or not.  If the gas gauge on your vehicle is near E (you know, E is for Empty), then you need to stop somewhere for gas. 

You don't need anyone to get you gas - either the police or AAA.  It seems absolutely hilarious you had to call AAA because you couldn't properly understand what a gas gauge was telling you.  I suppose I understand why some people call dashboard gauges "idiot lights"...

The agent says this is my last of 4 calls for the year and she confirmed my last request (which was never fulfilled) was still counted against me.  That sounds correct.  If you made a call and you were not there when the person finally showed (because that's ultimately what happened), then yes it would count.  BTW, running out of gas is completely within your own power to avoid - the fact you called AAA because you ran out of gas is ridiculous.

He says the battery removal will require extended time and cost me the cost of battery and 35.00 extra due to the labor involved....I towed the car to the repair shop. Found it was the battery after all. Cost me over 200.00 to have it replaced when I could have had it done for the 35.00 in my yard.  No, what it would have cost you was $35, plus the cost of the battery.  A battery sold by AAA is more expensive than if you go to your mechanic.  I'd probably surmise the cost with AAA would have been the same as what you paid the mechanic based on my own experience with replacing a battery with AAA.

Now, having said that, the guy should have replaced the battery in your yard for the cost of the new battery, plus $35.00.  Since AAA responders are independent contractors associated with AAA, I would let AAA know that the company they sent to you did not diagnose your situation properly and file a complaint, so that in the future, they can find another company to provide battery service in your local area.