If anyone has a Royalties Gold a/c with the Royal Bank there is free breadown insurance (Green Flag) and for only a very small sum you can upgrade it to full European cover including caravan.
Previously I've used the Red Pennant Euro Cover through the CC but although it is even better cover I feel the cover I get from RBS/Green Flag is all I need.
Quote: Originally posted by Burrellboy on 27/11/2010
So, in my experience, they aren't just a recovery service in it for the money as you imply.
In both examples you give you were recovered from the side of the road, not repaired. The point I was making was that there is no uniform standard. Some operators are mechanics capable of carrying out repairs others are just recovery drivers.
It is a fact that to make the callout worthwhile they have to recover the vehicle. The clue is that they arrive in a recovery truck not a service van.
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I was a contractor for all the breakdown services, and although every company(contractor) is different for me the money was in fixing a breakdown rather than recovery off the car/van etc, and i had a spec lift and travelled the country
Also alot has to do with whats wrong, where you've broken down and the time and day (can't get spare's at 01.00 on the m25) plus also warranties, if a temp repair could be made it might invaild the manufactures warrantie.
Quote: Originally posted by Burrellboy on 27/11/2010
So, in my experience, they aren't just a recovery service in it for the money as you imply.
In both examples you give you were recovered from the side of the road, not repaired. The point I was making was that there is no uniform standard. Some operators are mechanics capable of carrying out repairs others are just recovery drivers.
It is a fact that to make the callout worthwhile they have to recover the vehicle. The clue is that they arrive in a recovery truck not a service van.
Ageed I was recovered in both cases but in the first case a road side repair was not possible as the only way to fix the breakdown was a new radiator. In the second case, as I said, the operative spent 30 min in the pouring rain diagnosing and attempting to fix the problem, before admitting defeat and arranging recovery. Incidentally Green flag claim 86% of their callouts are fixed at the roadside.
So, sorry, I stick to what I said, your statement that any breakdown/recovery service other than the AA/RAC are in fact only a recovery service and don't do roadside repairs is simply not true.
Pete.
------------- Don't panic!
Hit it with a pointed stick!
Nostalgia's not what it used to be.
Personally, I would rather a recovery firm that got me home or to my destination as is the case with Mayday. A company that actually does the roadside repairs will not give a hoot on the cost of replacement parts and personally I would not trust just any one to work on the car.
We almost all use a regular garage. I would much rather have teh vehicle taken to my place of choice for repair than have it taken to a main agen and get fleeced on the repair or have an incompetent recovery man repair it and get fleeced on the cost of the spare parts, not least when they buy overpriced spares that were not even at fault.
I suppose its fair to say that the nature of breakdowns has changed over the yrs. I'm guessing GreenFlags' 86% claim relates mainly to drivers running out of fuel, lockouts & puncture repairs although cars with flat tyres are often uplifted to the nearest tyre depot.
The days of the AA man replacing fanbelts & points beside the road are long gone & a starter motor that could be replaced in 20mins on an 80s' Escort nowadays requires engine removal on some cars.