Author Topic: Dirty RAC! (Read 18784 times)

BennyBoy · « **on:** 24 October 2012, 01:11:39 am »

Don't ever let the RAC pick up your bike!

That is all.

ok, to fill it in a bit.. got a flat. no biggie, it happens. Got the RAC out to pick it up. After waiting over an hour, they picked me up, loaded the fazer onto the back of a truck. Got it home and unloaded it. The mother#@*%ers ratchet strapped my bars on each side so tight the entire left hand control module is broken open, bars are bent and clutch lever is buckled.

Currently, squeezing my clutch does nothing other than turn on my high beams. Bars are bent. High/dip, pass trigger, horn, indicators - all dead. Black knobbly bit on the indicator switch is m.i.a.

...and RAC's responce so far?? Thats right. Apparently, I agreed when i joined that any additional damage acquired as a result of transportation of my vehicle following a breakdown is my responcibility.

Arse!

harry69koi · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 October 2012, 04:03:55 am »

Sod that mate,i would ring citizens advice

i did recovery for the rac/aa etc for years and not once did i damage a bike due to transit

The clown who did it obviously didnt have a clue what he/she was doing

karlo · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 October 2012, 07:13:15 am »

Quote from: harry69koi on 24 October 2012, 04:03:55 am

Sod that mate,i would ring citizens advice i did recovery for the rac/aa etc for years and not once did i damage a bike due to transit The clown who did it obviously didnt have a clue what he/she was doing

Yep me too and you should be able to claim, Speak to your legal cover on your Insurance http://www.freemotorlegal.co.uk/

locksmith · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 October 2012, 10:09:57 am »

Mate of mine bike got damaged being recovered from europe.

He had a fight but the AA eventually coughed up.

Grahamm · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 October 2012, 10:47:26 am »

Quote from: BennyBoy on 24 October 2012, 01:11:39 am

...and RAC's responce so far?? Thats right. Apparently, I agreed when i joined that any additional damage acquired as a result of transportation of my vehicle following a breakdown is my responcibility.

Sounds like BS to me. They should have a Duty of Care towards your property and it sounds like they failed in that.

I'd contact your local Trading Standards and have a word with them.

Robbie8666 · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 October 2012, 10:53:19 am »

I was given free RAC cover when I insured by bike through Bennets... wonder how they would react if they found out the RAC were causing them claims???

BennyBoy · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 October 2012, 12:05:16 pm »

Yeah.. I've had a nice little chat with their legal team and offered to send them an invoice for my bike along with courtesy car and inconvenience..

...They've agreed to look into their third party recovery morons with a view to recovering my losses and settle. No courtesy car yet though. Have been promised a callback by tonight.

RAC have offered to move my bike (impossible. stuck in gear, clutch buggered) to a garage for only £85 + £2 per mile to the nearest shop (40 miles) to pay for someone to do a report (at my expense) and have allowed me the opportunity to pay them to take my bike back home. IF the report sayd the damage was 100% definitely teh recovery agents fault, they will request the money back from the recovery guys.

So thats me.. stuck at home, walking to work which takes a hell of a lot longer. need to nab someone's car to go to lincoln this weekend to do wedding prep,

...and now I have a choice... do i repair my bike, OR do i pay my rent this month.

Bollox!

Someone please learn from my mistake and don't trust these complete morons with their pride and joy like i did. I mean, comeon.. how hard is it to apply ratchet straps properly?!

Strifae · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 October 2012, 12:49:50 pm »

On the flip side to the above a member of the AA recovered my FZS600 when the battery died outside PC world in Weston. He was very careful with my bike, didn't over tighten anything and double checked was secure. No damage whatsoever to the bike

So I would recommend the AA for all the times I have used them both for my bikes and cars

BennyBoy · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 October 2012, 01:19:19 pm »

Well I know who's getting my breakdown business next time

To think, i went RAC over AA because of a tenners difference

Skippernick · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 October 2012, 01:33:04 pm »

I thought they carried special bike straps to hold the bike in place, sheeves that went over the grips?
Or is that what did the damage anyway.

Lawrence · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 October 2012, 01:58:01 pm »

Mine's never been held down by the bars, they've always used the forks at the front and the frame at the back.

goldfazer · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 October 2012, 02:38:08 pm »

I think judging a company by the actions of two blokes is a bit unwise...!

BennyBoy · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 October 2012, 03:08:46 pm »

Mine was held down by centre standing it, strapping both wheels and both bars... still fuming with them.

It may not be a great idea to judge a company by a few exoperiences.. but for a company to allow this to happen and then respond with "not our problem mate" until legal action is threatened... its really off!

DeeDub · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 October 2012, 04:01:38 pm »

The RAC are a pain to deal with, they are trying to fob you off.

Firstly, put your complaint to them in writing, post it by recorded delivery. Give them a reasonable time frame to respond ie 7 days from receipt of letter. Send it to a responsible named person, find out the name of the director of customer services and send it to him/her......shit always travels downhill.

List all of the damaged parts and the cost to replace (plus labour) and include it in the body of your letter
Also add in the cost of a hire car to enable you to get to work as clearly your bike is unrideable due to their negligence.
Ask them for the insurance details of their third party garage so that you can speak with their insurer as well advising them of your situation.

Tell them that if they fail to communicate you will go to small claims court (County Court) and sue them for the damages.

You will also be contacting MCN, Bike, Ride etc highlighting their dirty tricks so that the other 1 million motorcycle license hholders are aware of the shabby way in which you have been treated.

Responsibility of the RAC or its Agents:
The RAC has a general duty of care to look after your vehicle while it is in its possession. If the bike is damaged due to staff negligence ( the way in which it was secured on the recovery vehicle ,it will be the RAC's responsibility, they appointed the 3rd party.
I suggest you also contact Citizens Advice.
The Citizens Advice consumer service provides free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues. Visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06.

Good luck

Fatherbiker · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 October 2012, 06:51:29 pm »

Mmmmm...........Makes you think whats best!..Ive been with the RAC for the last 5 years and used their services on 2 ocasions with the car and one with the bike. I broke down with the bike and when the mechanic looked at it, he gave me the wrong advice which i am glad to say i didnt listen to. When the car broke down, he mechanic couldnt have been more helpful if he tried! Brilliant service!...
The mechanic (loosely termed) who collected your bike mate was obviously have a really bad day and didnt want to lose your bike off the back of his truck. This is by no means any excuse to completely fuck your handlebars, switches and levers. The loose term of 'its your responsibility once collected by the RAC' can not be used as a full excuse for the damage to you motorcycle as it could be termed as 'unnecessary excess force' to secure the bike. This is a definate situation where you can sue the RAC for the damage. Go to citizens advice or get a solicitors letter for backup. The letter might cost you £25.00 but this you can also claim back.
Pay your rent mate and keep the roof over your head but start the ball rolling with a call to the solicitors!..

chris.biker · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 October 2012, 11:25:08 pm »

I have had motorcycles recovered by the AA over the years and my son had his recovered by the AA this year, I or he have never had this sort of problem. I know that the 3rd party used by the RAC to recover your bike might well be used by the AA But on this occasion they held the RAC reputation in their hands. mistakes happen it how they are dealt with that makes the difference.
I have read this and will stay with the AA next year now regardless of any savings possible with RAC. I think that the more this gets read the more it could cost the RAC.

BennyBoy · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 October 2012, 11:39:37 pm »

Cheers for the advice lads and ladies

After another shouting match with them this afternoon, they have got the recovery agent to look into it... slow progress but its now gone from not our problem to we'll consider it - to we'll ask the recovery agent to look into it - to we've demanded the recovery agent look into it and they said they will.

I've asked my legal guys to advise too... BikeLawyer - amazing firm! Andrew campbell, the owmer/lead solicitor writes the mcn legal column and his assistant Hywel are top guys! They're handling a previous claim for my last fazer which met its doom thanks to a corsa and will more than likely jump on this in minutes if needs be

So in short.. RAC (Really Are Crap), avoid! Bikelawyer - if you're insurance lets you nominate your own legal guys... they are top notch guys.

Boom.. Will keep you all updated.

Skippernick · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 October 2012, 07:37:57 am »

I believe that you can always choose your own lawyer, at least that's what Andrew Campbell always says!!

pitternator · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 October 2012, 07:47:17 am »

there is no way that the action of a hamfisted recovery operative can be the responsibility of the vehicle owner. Its clearly negligence. And dreadful customer service by the RAC to suggest otherwise.
Write now to as many bike mags as u can. I will wager a letter to the RAC by any of them will soon have them coughing up.Its sheer bullying by the RAC.

DeeDub · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 October 2012, 08:48:42 am »

You state that the RAC said "We will get the recovery company to look into it".........this is still a top quality fob off.

YOU are the customer of the RAC, your contract is with THEM.

You need someone at the RAC to take responsibility, they are liable. I guarantee that if you don't sit on these idiots the whole situation will disappear into a black hole.

The four things that I have learnt in dealing with Insurance companies and associated third parties:

1) You have to sit on these morons and push for action.......become a pain, they will want to get rid of you and resolve your problem, simply to stop your daily phone call!!

2) People never do what they say they will do.......get everything in writing.

3) Get names, telephone numbers and email addresses of EVERYONE you speak to............so that you can hound them

4) Threaten them with a sh*t storm of bad publicity and a county court summons if they don't take you seriously and if they do not repair the situation to your satisfaction

Don't let them off the hook, they rely on the fact that most people are too lazy and simply give up.

Your bike solicitor sounds good !!

Arfa · « **Reply #20 on:** 25 October 2012, 09:07:06 am »

Totally shit. I went with the RAC for insurance this time (best price...), glad I didn't opt for their recovery when they tried the up sell. I guess its tough to know who to go with as they all farm some of their recovery to 3rd parties...

snapper · « **Reply #21 on:** 25 October 2012, 10:26:39 am »

I think to be fair rac aa and even green flag all have good and bad

the two times I have used green flag they have been brillant ! once all the way from the Isle of wight to Haverhill in suffolk
the second time My ignition broke leaving me stuck at a petrol station in a automiatic car so we couldnt even move it away from the pump till they arrived !

But a friend has been in the same boat as you

she had a classic ducati 350 single and the sparkplug went in to meltdown !

she had them collect the bike and taken to a repair shop the manage to ( i think if I remmber rightly )
broken clutch lever switch gear cluster handle bar clip on bracket top section of the yoke all damaged and all needed to be replaced

for the first few months they claimed it wasnt down to them it finally got sorted after I think nearly ten months but then took several more months to get the parts I think the clip on braket was something silly like £600

now after all that time shes lost her rode confidence and just doesnt ride any more

sorry if it sounds grim , but as i said this was green flag and not the rac Good luck

VNA - BMW Wank · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 October 2012, 11:19:39 am »

Sounds like you are on your way to getting it sorted.

Pretty crap service. Was the truck kitted out for carrying a bike?

Have to say I've been a RAC member for 17 years.

Had them out once for my car - timing belt - which they recovered. Several times for the bike, all punctures. Was recovered 120 miles from Fort William for a double rear puncture. Local contractor appeared after about an hour of waiting. They had a proper bike trailer and carefully secured the bike. Had a couple of temp repairs, on both occasions the drivers offered to follow me over 30 miles till I got back home, on one of those occasions the driver insisted on following me.

So dunno if you have been unlucky, or I've been lucky, but I've been happy with the service every time I've called em out.

taylor · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 October 2012, 08:24:52 pm »

the aa are no better m8 , been paying about 172 a year for a transit tourneo for the last 8 years, nether called them until last week, couldn,t open the back to get the tools out to work as i have boxed of the tools in the rear. they refused to come and open the rear door.

as not an emergencey. so it cost me 40 in fuel for nothing , self employed.

BennyBoy · « **Reply #24 on:** 26 October 2012, 09:11:13 am »

OK...

So, nothing from them yet.. time to start phoning them constantly and ruin someones day i S'pose.

Also - have been keeping names, numbers and email addresses. Full report will be going to bmf, mcn, review websites - pretty much everywhere I can find before i get bored.. and a couple more for good measure.

in reply to VNA... no, it wasnt properly kitted out. It was a flatbed truck with a steel checkerplate floor. No paddock stand, nothing.. just a platform and a bunch of straps. had to centre-stand the thing and stick 4 or 5 straps on it to stop it sliding around.