This past Sunday,I drove about a mile or so from my house to purchase a folding chair. Came back to my car, turned the key, and both door solenoids and the trunk solenoid started clicking off and on ..the trunk actually popped open and when I closed the trunk, it opened again.

The starter did nothing...except there was a clicking noise. Well, I tried repeatedly to get the car to start, but it would not

So, I contacted my emergency "Roadside Assistance plan" provider(AARP).
The fun(not)began. My call was routed to a call center in India! Worse than that, the personnel spoke poor English! After answering their questions,repeatedly,and getting nowhere, I eventually got a supervisor, but, her English was actually worse than the previous persons I had spoken with. So, AARP is taking my dues and other money and outsourcing American jobs to another country! This went on for at least 2 hrs and no help was sent! Suppose I was far from home, or in the middle of the night or raining the bad scenarios are endless. I was truly lucky that this event occured under ideal conditions.

Eventually my car decided to start on its own...again, lucky for me.

As a result of this experience, I contacted a AARP representative and discussed the matter. She told me that AARP was "looking" at their policy of outsourcing and that's all she would say.

The end result was that I cancelled my account with AARP re their roadside assistance plan and signed up with AAA. bUT, WITH AAA, you
are only allowed to purchase their "basic" plan for the first year and only after that can you purchase their "plus" plan that includes 100 miles of towing at no additional cost. So, I have installed the phone numbers of many of my local tow companies just in case for the 1st year.

As the old saying goes, "live and learn".

BTW, AAA does not outsource at all...everyone you talk to will be in this country...that was my first question to them.

 

This is sort of good to hear. I just bought the AAA plan when I bought my Vette. My other car is a Nissan Murano and I have the 100,000 mi. or 5 year roadside asst. with Nissan on that car. I'm glad you said that AARP sucked, because I am an AARP member but not with the roadside asst. I forgot all about that, glad now that I did. Good luck.

 

I have the full AAA plan. They've always treated me great when I needed them and I couldn't recommend them more. For the money, it's one of the best things you can purchase for you car.

 

AAA is a great thing to have. I personally used it only once to have my last car towed when it began leaking horribly. The tow was still $50 to get it to the closest dealer.

My father on the other hand has used it to get his keys thta he locked in the car multiple times. Once was even on a rental car.

I'm glad to hear you are not cutting back on your safety like some people are doing to save money.

 

Check these guys out.

http://www.gmmotorclub.com/

You do not have to own a GM car to join. Not sure how this company will weather the GM storm.

I did some research a couple years ago when we moved to AZ. AAA here was $130+/yr. which I thought was high. These guys were half that and offered better benefits and longer towing distances.

I hear you on the communication problems. I've only called them a couple times in two years, but each time the CSR's English was perfect.

Eddie

 

Even with the AAA basic plan you get free tow for up to 3 miles, and then $3 a mile after that I believe. No call or hookup fee. If you call a tow truck you could be looking at $50-$75 just to hook on, plus mileage after that...

 

Thanks for your input. I did consider them, but as stated, I was uncertain about GMs future and the emergency roadside assistance plan....so, although AAA is not necessarily the cheapest, sometimes it's better to pay a little more,hopefully for the service and peace of mind.

 

Thanks for the info, I knew about the 3mile limit, but not about the rest of the info you provided.

 

I still have my car insurance and home owner's insurance through AARP and there has never been a problem. So, I only canceled my motoring plan.

 

I have this too and love it. Been towed 4 times for free.

 

I had the same problem trying to make travel plans after calling a major airline's 800 number. The person I spoke to spoke very broken English (I'm guessing I was talking to someone in India) and I got so frustrated that I hung up on them. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I call an information line and get someone who's American.

 

Got agree with AAA being the best, I have used them a few times and there was never a problem, also they have and application for the Iphone that stores you member number and you hit the emergency button and it will send them your location via GPS.

 

Check into an emergency road service addition to your regular insurance policy. I have it on mine and the times I have needed it they came through without a hitch.

 

So are WE!

Great, but my Spanish is not any better than my Snake-Charming vocabulary?

 

Sorry about the AARP fiasco!

On the positive front, I've had to contact customer service at the following four companies. ALL FOUR had English-speaking phone reps with American/Canadian accents:

AT&T Wireless
Apple Computer (iPhone)
Verizon Wireless
Comcast Business Class

On the negative front, when the GMAC lease for my 2006 Equinox was nearing termination, I was contacted twice by Gee-MAC phone reps. Both had heavy, heavy Indian-style accents. Pisses me off when 'American' companies need to run to the taxpayers to be bailed out while outsourcing jobs overseas.

 

I have had the premium AAA plan for years and luckily have only had to use it when I first got it. Used 3 times the 1st month, no vett tows though. Good peace of mind having it.

 

I don't mind accents if I can understand what the person is saying and they understand the topic the call is about.

 

My rule of thumb is to ask to be transferred to somebody in the USA if I get connected to India, Poland, Indonesia or any other place not in the USA. No prejudice intended but I am tired of trying to figure our what ESL people are saying.
Delta had so much noise from customers that they are reversing their outsourcing policy for callers in the USA.

 

I had my 1968 catalina towed home, it cost me $150.00 for 35 miles. now I have AAA with free 100 miles.

 

Don't belong to AARP because of their political leanings! Most insurance policies have towing insurance.