Clubjazz - Honda Jazz & HR-V Forums
Diagnostics, Tuning, Modifications and Maintenance - all Hondas => Dealers & Insurance => Topic started by: Beaver on February 21, 2016, 07:52:39 PM
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I've had my Jazz since 2012 and have been breakdown-covered by the Honda supplied cover. I suspended my AA membership on buying the car, but it had less than a month to go on it.
Coming to the end of my Honda cover, I phoned to re-activate the AA cover and sort out some more for the coming year. Quoted £225, I pointed out that a new AA member would only have to pay £100 for the same cover. I asked how long I would need to let my cover lapse for before the AA would consider me a new customer and was told that they could possibly negotiate a lower price for me if I left because their cover was too expensive.
Now quoted £115, I said that the extra £15 would buy me a fair few miles of petrol, so after "consultation", they reduced the price to £100, matching the new member price.
Not boasting, but just to say it might be worth a nice calm phone call if you're renewing with the AA. My hat is doffed to them for demonstrating flexibility.
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My dealer extended the Honda Happiness Cover for another year on my 3rd service, and as long as you have services from them they keep extending the Honda cover, free!!!!!!!
This is for the breakdown/recovery cover, not a Warranty extension.
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same here having my service as we speak and another year of honda breakdown free with it and 35 quid mot
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My thanks to Monkeydave, Bill ericay and Beaver as the question of breakdown cover will be raising it's ugly head.
When I bought our Jazz it came with a package including breakdown cover. At the time we had been with the RAC for several years and paying for what they called a special for blue badge holders.
I mentioned to the Honda dealer that we had cover and he got quite assertive and suggested we cancel the RAC as two breakdown covers was likely to cause difficulties ( I have no idea if this is fact ) however as the Honda cover seemed better, the RAC was contacted. With 6 months left on the years subscription we were told A) NO we could not just suspend it B) there would be no refund and C) got really sniffy.
So when the Honda deal runs out we will have to think long and hard, consider the AA's flexibility or continue with Honda's servicing if the breakdown cover will be included, as at the time of the RAC cancellation we were paying over £135 pa, which will go a long way towards a service.
As an aside with the dealer that the car came from if you have the car serviced by them the MOT is free, so that's another £45 saved.
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As much as I dislike any main dealer's service department, having the Jazz serviced at a dealer does make financial sense.
Free MOT (45 squid) free AA cover (pick any price you like from 100 squid upwards) makes the service free/almost free.
I always enclose a letter documenting exactly what I want (and more importantly) don't want doing. I have had to sling a few letters to my dealers head office, but its always worked out well for us in the end.
No brainer really.
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What, exactly, does the Honda AA breakdown cover do for you ?
Is it basic roadside breakdown or is it a recovery to home cover ?
I have looked through the mountain of paperwork that my car came with but can find no explanation.
I have cover for recovery with Brittania Rescue anyway and no they will not suspend the policy or refund on it either.
Vic.
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What, exactly, does the Honda AA breakdown cover do for you ?<snip>
The works. Breakdown, home cover, recovery. Not sure about hotel/hire car but I think its there (the policy is in the car, the car is in the garage, and I ain't going out there at this time of night)
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i dont think it covers home start but does everything else
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Breakdown cover seems like one of the few things worth using Tesco Clubcard vouchers for (or lunches at Cafe Rouge).
RAC: Single: Roadside assistance for £18 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
RAC: Joint: Roadside assistance for £26 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
RAC: Family: Roadside assistance for £47 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
RAC: Single: Roadside + Recovery cover for £32 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
RAC: Joint: Roadside + Recovery cover for £40 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
RAC: Family: Roadside + Recovery cover for £62 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
RAC: Single: Roadside + Recovery + Onward Travel cover for £45 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
RAC: Joint: Roadside + Recovery + Onward Travel cover for £52 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
RAC: Family: Roadside + Recovery + Onward Travel cover for £75 when you use Clubcard vouchers.
Joint Roadside cover:You and one other member of the household can be covered as drivers or passengers in any vehicle under this type of roadside assistance. So, you can each rest assured if you breakdown or have a flat tyre.
Family Roadside cover:You’re not the only one who’s safe with this version of Rescue cover; it applies to you and up to 4 other named members of your household as drivers or passengers in any vehicle.
Recovery:If your vehicle can’t be repaired locally, the RAC will take you and up to 7 others to any UK mainland destination.
Onward Travel cover:The RAC will ensure that your travel plans are not seriously interrupted if your car cannot complete the journey. They will provide you with a replacement vehicle for up to 3 days; or overnight accommodation; or alternative transport costs.
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TG
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i dont think it covers home start but does everything else
I had the "Honda Happiness" (or whatever its bloody called) AA come to the house only 4 weeks ago, so yes it does cover home start
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I had another look through the paper bumf and discovered that it is called 'Hondacare Assistance' and covers the whole nine yards including assistance at home through to European cover.
Thanks for the replies.
Vic.
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Hi,
You can download an app from the app store which in an emergency gives you breakdown or accident assistance with one click, as your phone knows where you are you don't need togive any info,
Chris
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i dont think it covers home start but does everything else
I had the "Honda Happiness" (or whatever its bloody called) AA come to the house only 4 weeks ago, so yes it does cover home start
that is honda happiness which includes honda brakedown during your warranty period, honda brakedown for free is roadside only
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i dont think it covers home start but does everything else
I had the "Honda Happiness" (or whatever its bloody called) AA come to the house only 4 weeks ago, so yes it does cover home start
that is honda happiness which includes honda brakedown during your warranty period, honda brakedown for free is roadside only
It does say "roadside" but it doesn't specifically exclude home and it doesn't (as I think AA etc do) specify a distance the car must be from home.
It does specify UK only, so don't use this if you're travelling elsewhere in Europe!
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I use GEM motorassist. Voted No.1 by autoexpress. It's good coverage and inexpensive.
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I've used GEM on and off for many years, they are one of the best out there but prices have crept up a little in recent years.
AutoAid is another low cost one worth considering if you on a budget, currently about £43 for you and (married) spouse for full cover including home start, and get decent write ups.
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I've been an RAC member since 1978. Never considered changing. I have the full package and it covers me irrespective of the vehicle I am in, even as a passenger. Seldom had to call them out, but when I have it has been a godsend.
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I used the RAC for some time but when we bought the Honda which came with breakdown, I contacted the RAC and asked if they would suspend the membership. NO, you lose all you have paid ( 8 months worth)and they told us we couldn't have AA and RAC alongside one another.
When the Honda breakdown ran out I did some research and the AA came up with a really good package. I had to call them out when the 'torchbattery' under the bonnet went flat after an hour of the interior light being on. No problems.
Up for renewal at the end of October so I suspect I have some haggling to do.
Not car related but beware when something is up for renewal. My BT broadband came up for renewal last week and I had forgotten. I had negotiated a deal as I only wanted broadband and no films or sport etc. The only info about the increase in price was tucked away on the last phone bill.No warning just under line rental was the increase from a certain date. Awaiting an answer from the mighty BT.
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Well I got my answer as to how much the AA will want. It has just dropped through the letter box
£258.30 yes that right!!!! A letter is on it's way. Unfortunately I cannot use a telephone.
So I went onto some comparison sites and also the Auto Express site who rate Gem as the top dog.
Even Green Flag that quoted £110 for what I want, through the Auto Express link it came out at about two thirds of this. I just do not understand what is going on. It seems if you do a direct check it is a high price and then through links it comes down.
According to one site the AA is charging £109 for what I want. £149 less than my quote. Perhaps the AA want some new vans. I shall send an Email to RAC and see what they come up with but I have to admit I am a bit shocked.
It is unfortunate that we are conditioned to think that the smaller enterprise is not up to snuff but Gem get the thumbs up seemingly everywhere.
I understand it is a club and an interesting point was they do not accept disqualified drivers.
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I was a member of GEM (the Guild of Experienced Motorists) for many years. It was The Company of Veteran Motorist when I joined, hence the "V" badge.
(https://i.imgur.com/377sqz8.jpg)
Basically, how their system works is you arrange your own recovery, pay for it, then they reimburse your outlay. Fine if you are in a position to do that. Wouldn't want to pay for a recovery from Cornwall to Scotland even if I would be reimbursed immediately!
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Hi all
I use Green Flag for UK and Continental cover.
Every Year the new quote comes in, I check on their website / comparison sites, ring them up and they come down to the web advertised price.
yet to breakdown but I always find the price competitive.
I suppose I can't truly judge till I need them but it's piece of mind all the same.
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RAC renewal: 4 different (similar) prices via renewal email, direct to their website, via Tesco clubcard vouchers, or via Quidco.
Had the Tesco clubcard balance anyway so it was either Prezzo or RAC. Needed £17 of vouchers (at 3x value) for basic cover I recall - Tip: follow links to get confirmed price before converting vouchers as no change given.
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TG
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My RAC membership for 2017/18 is costing me £152.99, including Home Start and Recovery.
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Been with AA for ever, and have roadside and home start - never used them for anything and had the cover mainly for her indoors, who has used them once when she managed to lock her key in her car many years ago. Our membership is due every August and every May or thereabouts the AA send me an offer that I can have recovery for £10 for remainder of the present membership year, but in small print it says that by accepting the offer your next year's subscription will automatically include recovery but AT FULL COST - what kind of idiots do they think they are dealing with ? If cover was just for me I would cancel the whole thing, but as I said her indoors has a car and it eases my mind that she can call AA if she needs to.
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You can pay more at GEM so you don't need to fill out any forms for reimbursement.
To be fair, we drive Jazz- it doesn't break down, lol! I never used it until 3 yrs after my first membership for a flat battery. The membership covers any cars and a family member too. Get 4 magazines in a year. I went for the reimbursement method as it's cheaper and also hoping I wouldn't be using much because I drive a Honda!
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Since giving up my membership (when I retired), I have to admit I miss the magazines. They were always a good read. I featured once on their Backchat page.
(https://i.imgur.com/rY7Pqwi.jpg)
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Roadside assistance companies like AA should give no claims discounts just like insurance companies do, after all they are selling insurance service of a kind. This may encourage persistent claimants to look after their vehicles better.
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Roadside assistance companies like AA should give no claims discounts just like insurance companies do, after all they are selling insurance service of a kind. This may encourage persistent claimants to look after their vehicles better.
The RAC has done that for years. In fact they just stopped that system my renewal before last. Now they use a call out quota. The annual quota starts at 5 calls per year and increases if you have been a loyal member or if there are multiple people covered on the policy.
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Roadside assistance companies like AA should give no claims discounts just like insurance companies do, after all they are selling insurance service of a kind. This may encourage persistent claimants to look after their vehicles better.
The RAC has done that for years. In fact they just stopped that system my renewal before last. Now they use a call out quota. The annual quota starts at 5 calls per year and increases if you have been a loyal member or if there are multiple people covered on the policy.
My AA renewal states 'unlimited callouts' but being as my lifetime average callout rate is exactly 0 per year it does not mean much, what they are doing is kind of penalizing frequent users but not rewarding members who don't tie up their technicians because of a puncture, a 10 year old battery that failed or a cambelt that never got changed and broke on the motorway and other 'complete lack of maintenance' stuff. As I said if cover was just for me I would not pay them another penny.
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I have had 6 call outs in 39 years. And one of them was due to a problem they created at a call out a few days earlier!
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In my letter to the AA, I brought up the very point re usage. In my case the call out was the result of misinformation. ie Honda dealer stating the battery was in good order and the little indicator telling me all was well. I never thought the interior light being on for an hour would flatten the battery.
Yes it was a call out but I have plenty of evidence of cars breaking down through lack of maintenance.I also pointed out the Honda reliability resulting in less breakdowns and my mileag of about 5500 miles per annum, why should I pay the same as the bloke who does 30000 per annum. Bloke opposite does an 70 mile round trip every day and I have never seen him lift the bonnet on his Ford. As a village policeman before mobile phones, I was very frequently coming across cars broken down and being asked to call the AA/RAC. Being a tad up to speed with cars, in most cases when you lifted the bonnet all you saw was a complete and utter mess. Now days engines don't leak as much as they used too but even now I am surprised at people who don't bother to keep under the bonnet at least a semblance of clean and tidy. I am really ticked with the attitude of these so called motor assist firms, all they are is another insurance company trying to fleece the motorist. I know not all do but the AA after my quote does point to this. Unlimited call outs produces laziness and at about £30 for roadside assistance is a lot cheaper than looking after the car properly if it is fixed infinitely. I believe the RAC covers that one by quite rightly refusing if the fault isn't fixed.
As to Gem, when I looked up the site, it appears they have two charges one as normal, car fixed and they pay up to a certain amount and the second where you pay and they reimburse. The fact that it is a 'Club' and not a great big insurance company is a plus. Lastly, when I looked at the AA blurb I was amazed at 'so and so' covers this 'charley harry' covers that etc. after all they all want their little dib at the kitty. Bitter NO!!!!!!!!!!!!
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GEM state in their policy document "The policy is underwritten by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited." so it is just another insurance company. Mind you, now that the UK doesn't manufacture stuff these days, we have to depend of insurance underwriting to keep the country solvent!
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As you say Jocko, underwritten by an Insurance company, fair enough not many people want to take on the risks involved especially where accidents are concerned. What I cannot understand is why they have to be involved with so many just for one subject(.Breakdown insurance) Every one of any company involved wants their slice of the cake which in turn adds their percentage to the final bill.
As to AA how come Honda care gets its cover from them without paying the exorbitant amount they are asking me for. After all there are plenty of posts where Honda recovery is thrown in with the servicing charge?Is it because Honda have such an excellent reputation for reliability? They know my car is a Jazz, I have told them the mileage and annual mileage and that I object to paying the sum they want when high mileage and poorly maintained vehicles are permitted unlimited call outs. Moany old git strikes again.
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I think it is more a case of the amount of business Honda Care brings them, rather than the reliability. If you are bringing 100,000 customers to a business they can take a tiny profit margin and still make a mint. That, and the fact all the other breakdown companies are fighting tooth and nail for the same business. A penny profit is better than no profit at all. If you decide to take your business elsewhere, it is no great loss to them. If Honda did, heads would roll.
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Can anyone remember when Sainsbury's used to offer free breakdown cover in their car parks. I had to use that once, and that was to open a car I had locked the keys in.
In fact it's the only time I have ever been unlucky enough to use breakdown cover... all that servicing stuff does actually pay off. All I ever really want from a breakdown cover is recovery to my choice of destination, most other things I can cope with myself.
Problem with most breakdown providers now is that they have to accommodate customers who buy breakdown cover instead of servicing their car. It may surprise you how many people now only pay to get a car through MOT, and nothing else.
As said earlier, GEM offer pay & claim, or full cover - your choice. Don't overlook AutoAid either, the price is very low, but there's nothing wrong with the cover.
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I have only had to get recovered home once. My car (Vauxhall Carlton), had suddenly developed a rattle and blue smoke under load. I was in Greenock, so phoned my son-in-law in Fife, and he said sounds like a broken ring, bring it home and I'll strip it down.
I also noticed the auto transmission slipping, so checked the fluid and it needed topped up! I thought it was two separate problems. On the M80, half way home, and the automatic transmission gave up the ghost. And that is when the RAC came to my rescue. Once again the gearbox was dry!
Before doing any work on engine I decided to phone a transmission specialist. Depending on his diagnosis depended on whether the scrappy got it or my son-in-law. When I told him the oil had disappeared and there was no leak his reply was, "and the engine rattles and blows blue smoke".
It was the modulator valve. The diaphragm was leaking and the carb was sucking the oil out of the gearbox. £50 replaced the valve, filter and fluid and I never had anymore problems.
I was so grateful for the recovery wagon and the RAC's assistance. Like any insurance, it seems expensive until you need to use it.
(https://i.imgur.com/RPgDeJe.jpg)
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As a contribution to the discussion:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/car-insurance/breakdown-cover#BBtwo
Scroll down for best buys.
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I do not know where they get their figures, as I posted, over £250 quoted by the AA is quite a bit more than what they are quoting.
I have asked the RAC for a sensible quote, be surprised if I even get a reply and a letter has gone to the AA. I am seriously looking at GEM.
My problem is I cannot use a phone due to deafness etc. This IS a disability and I will use it if need be. I do get fed up with this attitude of EVERYONE has a mobile phone. Sorry you people that have one but a phone is NO good to me.
The AA reckoned that if I paid the £250 plus I would get several free gifts ALL dependent on a mobile phone, which in my letter I told them was useless to me
We shall see.
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You are best buying online.
https://www.topcashback.co.uk/category/breakdown-cover/
If you are presently with AA switch to RAC (or another) for one year as a NEW customer then switch the next year again as a NEW customer to AA or another. (Never renew with AA or RAC unless you get a very good quote (which you will not unless you want to haggle with them on the phone - which you don't want to).
If you plan to use topcashback, delete your cookies before you go to topcashback. If you have visited sites eg AA, RAC, Gem previously they will have placed cookies on your computer. These record your previous visits to their site and they will not pay cashback. Delete the cookies and they should.
AUTOAID review very well.
https://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/
GEM
https://www.motoringassist.com/
Topcashback covers the market very well.
https://www.topcashback.co.uk/category/breakdown-cover/
GREEN FLAG are good value and straight forward. It is very easy to buy online and you get a modest no claim discount on renewal.
https://www.greenflag.com/
I know all this sounds bonkers (and it is!) but that's the way you have to do it these days - don't ask why! And you have to check the market each year!
The AA and RAC rely on people renewing at hugely inflated renewal values such as you have been quoted. Loyalty is abused - it's called inertia marketing. The insurance industry is terrible at it. It should be banned.
I suspect GEM or GREEN FLAG will answer your needs most easily.
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My plan for 2018 is to switch from the AA to the RAC, and then probably change back to the AA in 2019.
I get fed up with having to argue with call centre reps on the phone each year and then pretend that I'm grateful that they've "managed to persuade their supervisor" to lower the price for me. Now the RAC are offering personal membership, rather than just covering one car, it's pretty much on a par with the AA in my book.
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My letter to the AA has produced an Email response telling me that they allow 8 weeks to answer a complaint. The RAC have come back to my Email asking for a sensible quote, well they have it is very sensible compared to the AA BUT I will have to get someone to do it by phone,
Incidentally, I often mention I cannot use a telephone. In desperation I looked up disabilities and deafness is a disability and also if discriminated against is also an human rights issue as well.
So look out these firms that insist on a telephone call for a special offer I would suggest they are on very dodgy grounds if a person like me cannot use a phone.
Forgive my french but it's no bloody joke not being able to follow the plot on the TV or when people speak to you in the street. The hearing aid does NOT discriminate between the 40 ton diesel and the person speaking it just blots the lot out. My Wife is fed up trying to get me to respond when I am not in sight. Still off to hospital for the chance of new aids, I am not going to be blackmailed into finding (or trying to find) some £1800/2000 for aids that MIGHT help. Sorry guys it's piggin lonely being deaf. I still think my Jazz ROCKS
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Do try Green Flag ONLINE (no hearing problems!). They are part of Direct Line (and used to be owned by Norwich Union).
I JUST got a quote for my 2014 EX for everything (Recovery Plus ie except Europe) for £44.80 per year or £4.11 per month by Direct Debit.
It took much less than two minutes.
They are certainly as good as AA or RAC if not better.
Forget AA and RAC.
No point in making life more difficult for yourself.
Give Green Flag a try online.
PS I think you should try for "registered deaf" status.
PPS You should be able to get subtitles on the TV. Radio might be more difficult.......
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I have asked the RAC for a sensible quote, be surprised if I even get a reply and a letter has gone to the AA. I am seriously looking at GEM.
I know GEM offer a text service for breakdown recovery, and also have a phone app.
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I have asked the RAC for a sensible quote, be surprised if I even get a reply and a letter has gone to the AA. I am seriously looking at GEM.
I know GEM offer a text service for breakdown recovery, and also have a phone app.
GEM seems to be Single £83.13 for the first year and £99.75 for following years.
In my examples, I suspect the difference with Green Flag is that Green Flag quote taking account of the car and your location but GEM have one price for all.
Both sound excellent to me.
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I have been with GEM for 6 yrs and each year I called and they always drop the price. Plus I refer friends to them so that's £20 M&S voucher each. So it works out some thing like £60!
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Hi,
Please feel free to take a look at our breakdown offering if you wish.
https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/breakdown/?utm_source=adwords&utm_campaign=breakdown&utm_medium=ppc&gclid=CKa79ICw2dYCFe2_7QodSl8B2w
Regards,
Dan.
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Hi,
Please feel free to take a look at our breakdown offering if you wish.
https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/breakdown/?utm_source=adwords&utm_campaign=breakdown&utm_medium=ppc&gclid=CKa79ICw2dYCFe2_7QodSl8B2w
Regards,
Dan.
Had a look at your site, but every time I click the "Get A Quote" button, it just times out.
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With reference to my AA quote, I wrote to them explaining that I was not impressed by their quote. I wrote that I wanted a reply by 10th October or I would cancel.
Two days later got a reply stating it would take up to eight weeks to reply.
So on the 10th having had no sensible reply, I Emailed the AA to cancel.
Today, an Email addressed with my name mis spelt and telling me to RING them and perhaps might be able to sort a decent price.
Reply was a bit rude, I merely pointed out that I had told them I cannot use a telephone and a few other little home truths. After all why didn't they respond to my original letter and nothing ticks a person off more when they can't even get that persons name right.
Yesterday had a hearing test and told I was virtually without reasonable hearing. One ear basically defunct and the other not good. The Audiologist was not surprised I have a problem with the phone, I explained that it is a phobia caused by depression and she was of the opinion even without the phobia I was on a hiding to nothing. WHY can't organisation's realise that not everybody can use a phone. After all most business is done by the internet but no they have a hissy fit if they can't get a phone number to sell.
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Just having a bit of a spat with Virgin Media, we keep getting phone calls from their overseas call centres (by the accents we hear) - these can be any time of day or evening, normally phone rings and you answer there is a delay of anything from 5 to 20 seconds before anyone answers (a sure sign that there is auto-dialing from a call centre going on). Most of the time no-one in the house can understand what they are trying to say, assume they are trying to sell you extra bells and whistles for your package that will bump up your monthly bill, very often they won't speak to anyone but me (the account holder), even to explain what it is they want. I eventually wrote to the Virgin complaints department in Bristol explaining that I was not at all amused by their frequent phone calls and would they please stop doing it, and gave them the option of contacting me by email instead.
Well their reply creased me, they said they had noted my complaint and someone would contact me within 10 days to discuss things (don't know what needed discussing, my original letter was specific enough) - but (wait for it) someone would be contacting me by PHONE - I don't think my complaint registered with them at all.
If you look on the Virgin users forum there are lots of people complaining about the rubbish phone calls they keep getting at all times of day and evening.
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The problem appears to be that everybody is conditioned to the phone being a MUST HAVE. No matter how many times I tell companies I cannot use a phone please use Email, without exception comes back the reply, If you ring this number we can sort something out.
Yes Culzean I can understand your frustration, it's almost as if they cannot read.
I know I am an old duffer but I can remember when to have a phone in the home was almost a luxury.
Now, life cannot exist without a mobile. This am on TV and if you are squeamish don't read on was an item about poverty and how young girls can no longer afford sanitary protection. I walked away in disgust as they still had their mobiles. Come on what the h*ll has happened to modern day people?
I am afraid getting militant about my problem, given that if one goes for this or that offer it has to be done on line and yet we must use the phone if there is anything that needs a bit different approach.
Keep at it with Virgin, eventually these firms MIGHT get the message but I am not holding my breath.
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Now, life cannot exist without a mobile. This am on TV and if you are squeamish don't read on was an item about poverty and how young girls can no longer afford sanitary protection. I walked away in disgust as they still had their mobiles. Come on what the h*ll has happened to modern day people?
I agree, me and my brother were discussing the modern take on what 'poverty' is. It used to be when you were starving and did not have a roof over your head, these days it seems people are considered to be in poverty when they don't have a 60" HD tv, don't have the latest iPhone and their / single mom / single dad drives a Vauxhall or Ford because they can't afford a BMW. Kids today with laptops and tablets and mobiles are carrying around more money than my dad earned in a year, but we always had a comfortable home and were well fed. Peoples priorities have changed sadly and we have a society dependent on government handouts, and the regulars are very adept at squeezing the last drop of benefit out of the system. where people like my brother who was unemployed for a while could not get a single penny in benefits (despite being a taxpayer for 48 years) because he had 'assets' (the home he had worked hard for).
Also (and I believe New Labour under Tony B Liar started this) to grab peoples attention they always talked about 'child poverty', we are going to eliminate 'child poverty' - I find it hard to believe a child would be in poverty if its parents weren't - but 'child poverty' is much more emotive than 'family poverty' or 'adult poverty'.
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I suspect both auntyneddy and culzean are suffering from the present day use of Artificial Intelligence in Customer Service management.
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We are certainly suffering from something. Culzean's point re his Brother is indicative of the so called thinking people that govern us. Having worked as long as he has there should be no question of him receiving benefits. After all what did he pay a N/I contribution and Income Tax for? Bl**dy morons keep on about building more social housing and yet here is an example of a person trying to keep his end up. Not running to the Social cos Jimmy wants the new I phone. It is no wonder we have three generations never working receiving benefit. Sorry Jazzers, after a particular brutal murder, we had to do house to house enquiries on a particularly 'difficult' council estate ( thats what what they were called then). We had to avoid the R/R's and other such common cars parked O/S. Locally we have had social housing foisted on us. The houses have heat recovery units etc etc, their cars are newer than ours and they can't even cut their grass, I have to subscribe to the Parish precept for them to be cut. Steam!!!!!!!!!!!
When I lost my job as a plod, I was so out of it on anti depressants my Wife had to cope with being evicted, yes I was a village bobby. When we asked the local authority for help which we were promised when I became a village bobby, we were told to 'go away'. ALL council property was being prioritised for 16 yr old girls getting them selves pregnant and had to be housed. I was classified by DWP as unemployable. My meagre police pension as I had only done 17yrs had to be used to buy somewhere to live with the help of family. So we had it hard for a few years because the property we had to buy needed a lot done. So back to Culzean's Brother, a man who has tried and this is how he is treated and here I am on very dangerous ground, a person can walk into the UK and DEMAND help. Yes I have seen plenty of that as well.
As for AI, going back into a section raised on keyless entry. Is this not indicative of these so called experts thinking? I never cease to be amazed that we prosecute a person for hacking, not done any damage but just stepped outside what the government call the law. Why not employ the so called offender, we might just stay one step ahead or even keep pace with the villians. So once again yours truly has lost the plot, but it is all relative to the problems around us. What has happened to that dirty word service and as for common sense, that's like the Tudors long gone. AI yes when all else has been sorted out BUT a computer is only as good as the person that programmed it so in actual fact we are b**gered. Last one I promise, Met office at Exeter, about 40 miles away, do they get the weather forecast right do they heck. All we get is according to the computer model!!!! Kick the model out and employ a bit of seaweed, it can't be any worse. Sorry but as a nut case I am allowed to go off on one.
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Last bit reminds me of an old joke. "Here is the weather forecast. I have just been up on the Air Ministry roof and it is pi**ing down".
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I must admit, I will go to all lengths possible in order to avoid talking to anything that resembles a call centre.
I'm sure some of them are very nice people, but it makes me doubly mad when I know exactly what I'm talking about, and they're reading the prompts off a computer screen.
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I do have great difficulty with the general consensus that when I say I can't use a telephone. it is shrugged off as if I am a Martian. Because youngsters have plastic glued to the ears or in can't seen anything cos my phone is in front of me, they have NO concept of disability.
I cancelled the AA because they ppfaffed about. What did I get, If you RING us we might be able to work something out. I approached the RAC and they did come back with a decent quote. However they stated they needed to do it over the phone due to certain information required. A reference number was given and so I asked my Wife if she would deal. What happened. The 0800 number would not work, She then got hold of a person who refused to take the reference number given, disputed the quote, refused to accept my credit card because she was giving the details and lastly because the original Email stated they needed a blue badge number, when she said we each have one, he told her, I can't deal with this. Best of all, he claimed the writer of the Email was unknown to him. Result. one upset Wife, one pi**ed off deaf old fart ( it's more complicated than that) and who now has to start again. I am so ticked I am taking advice about the Disability Discrimination Act and the Human Rights Act. Emails are a fact of life and my way of communicating with the outside world. My parameters are pretty restricted without ar*oles who seem to delight in putting people down. SORRY letting off steam
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Sounds like you need an assistant or proxy of some sort.
I often deal with call centres for my aged mother "Hello, I'm speaking on behalf of / as power of attorney for". At the office I've had to impersonate the MD for a colleague - "Sorry we can only accept cancellation from the named contact" Fake MD: "Why am I having to deal with this? I told you to sort it out" before transferring it back to colleague.
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TG
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I do appreciate your points TG but the RAC was a classic example of what we experience. I was asked to get my Wife to do the contact, had everything ready and the plonker at the other end would not just pull up the reference number given. Had he done so all would have been in front of him.
I am getting to the stage of pig headedness over this matter as I fail to see why if they can offer deals on line only why they can't deal with ME online only.
On an online comparison site for car breakdown one stated Discount only given online save X% by not using the phone.
I had a query with GEM, Emailed them answer today.
I had a query with a Rose ( plant) grower informed the supplier of my problem and the Roses!!! Two Emails to clarify points and a comprehensive reply this morning. No fuss about the phone.
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This really is getting to Whitehall farce area.
Today 21/10 two Emails from AA one explaining about their costs of vans and training etc and how much this and that cost. My complaint was upheld!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Typical PR clap trap. What that meant I know not.
2nd one apologising as it had only just been brought to writers attention that I couldn't use a phone and someone will contact me ONLINE. Every communication with such as the AA, BT etc has in it I cannot use a telephone, please use my internet address.
Yesterday my copy of Computer Active arrived with my query answered. BT had renewed my Broadband without notifying me. A Big NO NO, trouble is I contacted BT 18/10 and the only answer was an incident number.
In the magazine was a quote that I believe a member brought up and it is 'Average Revenue Per User'. Those that don't argue just pay what is demanded, those that argue and usually get a concession and those that only take up a new customer offer.
At the moment I cannot establish if the same rules apply to services like the AA BUT Internet Providers must inform you before the contract ends and they MUST NOT JUST renew at a higher rate unless you agree. This came from the mag. Unfortunately Off Com doesn't cover the car breakdown insurance.
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Two AA call centres came under my remit many years ago and one task was to ensure they could handle the national Textphone and Text Relay calls that might come from deaf customers. This is something you could explore; the system has evolved over the years and now it's known as Next Generation Text (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=next+generation+text) and will handle any combination of speech/mute & hearing/deafness but is no longer reliant on a special typing phone in the customers hands. Their 'type & read' relay service might be what you are looking for.
If you'd prefer not to have a live interaction but are happy to let someone else be your proxy then the Age UK visiting service might be a better option.
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TG
https://ngts.org.uk/
https://www.hearinglink.org/living/loops-equipment/telephones/next-generation-text-service-ngts/
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That's another one of my pet hates, AA auto renew policies unless you contact them. The two services I mentioned do not, you have to return the payment by post, phone, or go online and pay.
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That's another one of my pet hates, AA auto renew policies unless you contact them. The two services I mentioned do not, you have to return the payment by post, phone, or go online and pay.
That is an excellent point.
If you are moving from AA or RAC, you MUST cancel the policy before the renewal date otherwise they will auto renew.
They are an absolute pain to deal with.
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Unfortunately my problem is not just deafness. It is interesting though that when I mentioned the Disability Discrimination Act AA have come back apologising for not knowing I couldn't use a phone ( everything I do carries the fact that I cannot) and have asked that I wait to be contacted by Email.
Watch this space!!!!
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Good luck with them auntyneddy.
If you are moving from AA or RAC, you MUST cancel the policy before the renewal date otherwise they will auto renew.
It sounds like a reasonable principle to many people, but what really turns you against auto-renewal is when you come across a company that insists you ring them to cancel, then goes ahead and renews the policy anyway, taking payment from the card on file. You have a battle on then, of course the company will deny any knowledge that you have cancelled. I'm not the only person I know that this has happened to.
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You should also contact your bank to cancel the auto renewal direct debit.
Vic.
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The problem is when you pay by card. These companies use what is called a 'continuous payment authority', and you cannot stop them - only the company taking the money can cancel the arrangement. They even remain in force if you change card number, or if your card expires - there is an automatic system to update these CPAs.
Even if you were paying by direct debit, cancelling it can end up incurring further charges from a returned direct debit.
Cancelling a direct debit does not cancel a debt, it only prevents the company from taking the money... which is fine if you can prove that no debt is owed. Cancelling by phone, as many companies nowadays insist, there is no paper trail - insist on a letter or email from them acknowledging cancellation.
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A couple of days ago, Email from AA, sorry were not aware I could not use a phone. Today another Email from Customer services I think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!telling me that as I could not accept that they had found my complaint in my favour and that I was obviously dissatisfied at their findings case closed. Return was not complimentary. Second Email offering at great effort by the AA to reduce to circa £190 ( sorry so pi**ed I can't remember exactly) Just said thanks but no thanks.
Talk to them I have had better conversations with a brick.
RAC have not come back although promised they would so it's GEM or Green Flag.
When I cancelled the AA I did it by Email and a letter. They acknowledged my cancellation BUT why should it be so difficult after all,D/D suits them.
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Don't you fancy AutoAid neddy?
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The problem is when you pay by card. These companies use what is called a 'continuous payment authority', and you cannot stop them - only the company taking the money can cancel the arrangement. They even remain in force if you change card number, or if your card expires - there is an automatic system to update these CPAs.
I have twice cancelled 'continuous payment authorities'. On both occasions I advised the company that I wanted them cancelled or I would take my business elsewhere and I also contacted my bank and told them that I no longer wished to pay the payments. These were both at renewal time.
CPA's do not appear in your bank account as direct debits so are not easily cancelled as direct debits are.
The company must tell you that a CPA is in force but this is usually in the dreaded small print.
Vic.
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I have twice cancelled 'continuous payment authorities'. On both occasions I advised the company that I wanted them cancelled or I would take my business elsewhere and I also contacted my bank and told them that I no longer wished to pay the payments.
The problem with CPAs is that not even the bank can stop them. They are handled by the card company, and any valid request for payment will be processed, and the bank instructed to reserve funds.
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On the two occasions that I have managed to cancel CPA's the bank advised me that they would advise the receiving companies that they had been cancelled.
Vic.
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On the two occasions that I have managed to cancel CPA's the bank advised me that they would advise the receiving companies that they had been cancelled.
Sounds like a decent bank. Although in theory you should be able to cancel CPAs, most banks don't move quickly enough to prevent payments being taken... my bank is utterly hopeless.
Another trick used by some companies is to immediately represent the same payment as a one-off 'customer not present' card charge. These are guaranteed payments, and, of course, will go straight through if the bank isn't (very) on the ball.
If a payment is taken when it shouldn't be, at least you can get that back. The problems start when you say you have cancelled, and the company you are dealing with says you haven't. Unless you can prove that you have cancelled a renewal, you could be in for some bother... and cancelling the CPA doesn't cancel your debt.
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With both companies it was in the small print that the contract was subject to CPA and also that the CPA could be cancelled by contacting them.
Vic.
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It's hard to avoid CPA these days, but I don't like them at all.
It's fine if the company plays by the rules, but as I say, the problems begin when they agree to cancel the renewal and CPA, but then go ahead and renew a policy and take payment regardless.
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It's hard to avoid CPA these days, but I don't like them at all.
It's fine if the company plays by the rules, but as I say, the problems begin when they agree to cancel the renewal and CPA, but then go ahead and renew a policy and take payment regardless.
Any company that insists on CPA will not be getting my business.
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Even if you were paying by direct debit, cancelling it can end up incurring further charges from a returned direct debit.
Cancelling a direct debit does not cancel a debt, it only prevents the company from taking the money... which is fine if you can prove that no debt is owed. Cancelling by phone, as many companies nowadays insist, there is no paper trail - insist on a letter or email from them acknowledging cancellation.
I had this with TalkTalk back in 2012, I moved to a new-build house and TalkTalk claimed they couldn't find it on their database and would be unable to provide broadband. Odd, everyone else had the house number and street on their db. I 'cancelled' the direct debit from my bank account only then to get an email from TalkTalk demanding a cancellation fee for breaking the contract and an additional charge for failure to to take the direct debit - £110 in total.
A strong letter to the MD got it resolved.