Unhappy with nrma service

Glad everyone is okay.

I called RACQ when I was over at Stradbroke Island and was told sorry the guy is on leave and there's no one else on the island that we use.

Basically go away we don't want to know you

I was not happy

Hmmm,

It would seem to me that perhaps the NRMA has become a little too "commercial".

I thought these organisations were there primarily to assist members in trouble of some kind.
Maybe it's just the sheer size of the NRMA and the number of members to cater for.

I would have to say, on the rare occasions over the years that I have needed assistance from South Australia's RAA organisation, I have found them excellent.

As far as a "rude" call centre operator, this should be reported back to the association as being totally unacceptable, whatever the reason.

I know the 'local bloke' !

I have always found RACQ excellent, even with recovery off Fraser Island.

There was a frustrating moment in my then fiances car a few years back where they insisted on a cross street on a very back road miles from anywhere... When I insisted that they log the call and then give me the number of the local operator, all was sweet...

I broke down on a Motorway, so got myself off onto a busy side road. I had no idea where I was, so rang RACQ and they said they'd come. Half an hour later I got myself mobile again and rang my wife to get her to inform RACQ and thank them for their trouble. Before she could ring, the patrol man rang me saying he couldnt find me, and was worried because of the busy road.
Both the patrol and the call centre thanked us for informing them that they were not needed.
Top marks to RACQ.
But had I shared your experience, I would have been ringing and writing to the top end of the greasy pole.

We broke down on the Hay Plain a couple of years ago - blown water pump. Called NRMA Plus on satphone.

Me - "Hi, we're broken down on the Highway exactly 55kms north of Hay." (I had set the trip meter after filling)

Call Chic - "What's the nearest crossroad?"

Me - "Er, there isn't one. This is the Hay Plain, there's nothing out here. We're exctly 55kms north of Hay."

Call Chick - "What's the most prominent landmark?"

Me - (After doing a 360 sweep) "There's nothing out here, we're in the middle of the Hay Plain. He won't have any trouble finding us, we're exactly 55kms ...."

Call Chick - "I need a nearest cross road or landmark sir."

Me - (Another depserate 360 sweep) "Oh yeah, OK. Tell him we right next to this Landrover Discovery with its bonnet up. There's a bloody big blue tarp set up of the side to keep the 44 degree heat of us."

Call Chick - "Sir, I must insist. I need some reference point for the driver"

Me - "@%&*8 ##@ ....exactly 55kms north on the only road that goes of Hay. How much more #**%#@ exact do you need it!!!"

Once we got past the Call entre, the rest was legendary NRMA service.

Its hard to believe that we pay for decent service and lots of people dont get it hen its really needed.

Personally never had a problem with NRMA except for when they refused to believe that an accident when I was 18 was NOT my fault, even thhough the other dirver admitted to being at fault!

Anyway, I suggest you ring the complaints section and write a letter too, let them know what happened and that you are considering going elsewhere if something cannt be worked out for the 'problem'

Good on ya Barbara, get it outta ya system!! Hope your daughters fine and not too peeved about the situation...

Laura

Barbara, don't be too heavy handed with your daughters decision. When I was on my honeymoon I made the bride cry because I took the Corona through the 74 floods at Taree. Luckily I knew to gun the engine and ride the clutch, but it was a close call. I don't think she's ever forgiven me.
Even a successful crossing of the Bloomfield with the family was not favourably looked upon, especially when the water got into the back floor. I opened the doors etc when we were across and water poured out, pretty normal I thought. She didn't think so for some reason.........

I've had similar troubles with RACQ, I broke down 120km out of Townsville on the Hervey's Range Rd, no phone service but someone stopped and I gave them my wifes number and said I needed RACQ or a car trailer, about half and hour later another car stopped I gave them the same details and they thankfully gave me some more water (was bloody hot). After 3 and a half hours I started to limp the car home and rang my wife as soon as I had reception.

Now from her end

She received a call at 9am to say that I had broken down, then rang RACQ only to be told that somewhere along Hervey's Range Rd wasn't good enough and they needed more details, upsetting for her because she couldn't call me, so my father in law goes to get petrol and head out to see where exactly I was and to bring water.

She gets the second call and is told that I've been given water and I'm 120km out, so she calls the RACQ and is told they will send someone out straight away. Tells the father in law not to worry driving out.

Then she gets a call half an hour later from a tow truck driver in charters towers on his way to pick me up, explains that we'll want the car in Townsville and he suggests she call RACQ back and organise another truck, so she does, and the RACQ call back to let her know a truck is on the way but will take around an hour to get to me.

Two hours later I call to say I'm nearly home, and she says I better call and cancel the tow truck, calls them up and the call centre lady says "That's great because we're really busy and that's one call we won't have to attend to!!"

The reason for the trip in the first place was to go and retrieve a doll my 5 year old daughter left at a roadhouse that we visited the day before, stopped 40km short of the roadhouse and still didn't get the doll.

And the problem with the car was the mechanic that serviced it over filled the auto and when the oil heated up it expanded and leaked everywhere and onto the exhaust creating a spectacular white cloud behind me. (once it cooled no exess oil left and was fine to drive)

Steve

In my many years of driving I have called the NRMA on a number of occasions, as have my family. I have received nothing but great service, except for those busy times when they were a little late getting there.

It used to be far better, but I believe they are contractors now ????

I wouldn't let it rest if my daughter was left on the side of the road and they didn't contact her...and didn't intend going..I would take it further with them so it does not happen to the next person.

Have been with them 23 years used them twice (luckily) once for a call out to replace battery 2 years ago the other was I ran out of fuel due to faulty fuel guage. One minute I hade 1/4 of tank the next I was sitting below empty warning light on and bells & whistles blaring. Told her I have ran out of fuel due to the above. Well sir if you know whats wrong then go and get some fuel and you will be going again. In no uncertain terms told her what I thought of her smart arse reply. She took my details of where I was stopped, as usual the bloke that come out was great and had 4 jerry cans on the back of ute. Took one look at the car,ah vx commodore eh, out of fuel dicky fuel guage, common problem on the vx,vy,vz. Gave him $10 as that is what he puts in the cans and off I went. Still have both cars covered. Have the prado in top cover the other just the basic. But agree with you in regards to your daughter, could have turned out she could have been in a dangerous situation with out your help. Regards Steve M