Our youngest got stuck in the snow in Beamsville this morning, on the way to work. We got each of the kids C.A.A. when they started driving as a security measure so Braydon called them.
C.A.A. : " was the area shovelled?" .... Braydon :" uh, no, I wouldn't have gotten stuck if it was." C.A.A. : " well we won't tow you out if it wasn't"
I understand C.A.A. was likely swamped ( I don't know how, when they farm most of their calls out to other towing Companies) but that is the nature of their business. Last time we paid, the cost of having C.A.A. had gone up not down, and yet - "Roadside Assistance" isn't so assisting any longer.
Whats next......
Client :" Hi, my car quit on the highway, I think I ran out of gas" C.A.A. : "Is there gas in the tank?" Client : "????wha....? C.A.A. : "Sorry, we don't provide that service any more"
or.....
Client : Hi, I'm on the shoulder with a flat tire, can some one help me with it? C.A.A. : "Is there air in the tire?" Client : "??????wha....? C.A.A. : "Sorry, we don't provide that service any longer"
C.A.A. has money to send roving reporters all over the world and write about it in their glossy magazine that they MAIL ($$$$$$$) to thousands of Clients but they can't provide the most basic service their EMPIRE was founded on.
I have C.A.A and I have never experienced any bad service from them. I have used them on numerous occasions and just recently upgraded my service to Premier. I also just recently had them quote my auto insurance and the are going to be able to save mw over $400.00 for the same policy. Perhaps it is geographical. I am happy with them to date.
What I've found here is they contract work out to local towing companies. There is a real local one I refuse to have touch any of our vehicles. On the rare occasion(twice in about 10 years) I've needed help I ask Dispatch to NOT send that company. I realize it'll affect response time and I'm okay with that.
We have our everyday driver vehicles insured with them as well, no complaints in that respect.
Just bummed that it went the way it did. Ultimately, because I was already out ( I volunteer with Family and Children's Services) my wife ended up taking our 4X4 and tugging him out using a strap. Funny how she could manage in a pick-up but Tow truck couldn't spool out some cable.
C.A.A. : " was the area shovelled?" .... Braydon :" uh, no, I wouldn't have gotten stuck if it was." C.A.A. : " well we won't tow you out if it wasn't"
He now knows the correct answer if it happens again. Im sure that area has been shovelled at some time in the last 100 years
I've had CAA for some time and never had a problem.
It really does depend on what you answer or report when you call them.
Friend has hauled for CAA for some time. EG: If you have a "Leaking" fuel tank , they won't get you a tow, but "IF" the tank is empty , no problem.
Over the years i have used them a couple of times, always good service, and each time after calling they call back after 10 minutes to see if the tow has arrived yet.
My daughter got nailed also, just before Christmas, her clutch cylinder slave gave up on her, she was on a on-ramp...it was one of the -20??C days and it was snowing. She called them, got a "We are experiencing a higher then usual...." message, the message said to call another tow truck company and get a receipt, they will reimburse the cost. She had to send the receipt with a date and explanation...
Well she never got her money back. The account was set up to automatically renew with my credit card. They called me and were inquiring as to why they couldn't renew my account, I said 'cause I called my credit card company to try and stop the renewal payment from going through.
Like insurance companies, government and everything else you pay for, they're just not there when you need them.
I've had caa for quite a few years, used it more then I should of! Last time I used them I sat on the side of hwy 416 for 6hrs. Their excuse... They Didn't have one it was a sunny day on a Wednesday at noon. (Broken ball joint)
But when there's really no other options but the vultures they charge you more then your cars worth. There's not much you can do.
i wanna go fast ill share with you a story from christmas time about caa i noticed a vehicle sitting at the corner in grimsby near qew i drove past it went to town but on the way back i stopped it was -10 out and the vehicle was not running i found a family sitting inside two young children vehicle quit running on the highway and he coasted off at bartlett people from barrie waiting for caa i offered to take them to tim hortons they decided to take my offer and i drove them to beamsville that way they have food bank etc entering the parking lot caa called them back they were not pleased that i took therm to beamsville instead of the grimsby tim hortons like its a big deal she actually started arguing with me on there customers phone i left and watched there vehicle until 3 00 am in the morning 4 hours after they first called caa i proceeded to terminate all dealing s with caa and any or all of there business dealings there are better run services in this area and if you cant find any i can find someone who will do your towing
