ps misread you post Stewart about you no longer using a garage for servicing, I thought that you had said a Lotus agent.
Quite correct, they do require an invoice from a garage showing a service interval carried out. I had the same problem as my car was overserviced, as something was always being sorted out, and oil and filter changes were done at the same time. That is all they wanted to see, so Omnipage 15 did the job fine with a service invoice from way back, but showing recent mileage and date.
Did not feel guilty, as I faxed them in three invoices for masses of work carried out, but as they did not show 5 litres of oil and a filter, it did not count.
Compression Test
On the other hand I had a real fight to get them to pay up. I was treated like an idiot and they tried to fleece me 3 times on the same claim. The highlights were:
Clutch release fork seized, garage say it was seized nothing more, gearbox off car, clutch burned a bit no other damage.
AA say the will send an engineer, but don't, and authorise the repair. Great thinks me.
Comes to money, I ask them what happens (Paraphrased
)
AA: Oh it's not covered as it was corrosion.
Me: who said it was corrosion?
AA: well it must have been it had seized
me: WTF? No pal it was seized, no one said corrosion, did you send an engineer?
AA: No
Me: Well the car is back together
AA: Ah, can I phone you back....
Next call:
AA: it's not covered as it was a gradual failure.
Me: can you please explain to me who something gradually seizes?
AA: Ah, erm, can I call you back?
Next call:
AA: Seized parts are specifically excluded form the T&Cs
Me: Ah, ok, I'm looking at your T&Cs, can you show me where and I'll leave you alone.
AA: Ah, I don't have a copy just here, can I call you back?
Me: No, I want your supervisor
AA: But, but, but...
Me: Grr, me want supervisor
AA: OK...
Supervisor basically tries exactly the same tactics with me, same problems and same responses. I remained (Frustratingly) calm and annoyingly informed and clever for a customer, he got more and more irate. He claimed to be their senior technical manager.
Me: If you can explain to me where in your T&Cs I am not covered for the repairs I will be happy and stand the Bill myself.
AA Sup: You aren't listening to me! I've told you!
Me: But you didn't send an engineer, and don't have anything to support the rejection...
AA Sup: But clutches aren't covered!
me: Why are you shouting? (Expecting a sorry, didn't mean to etc)
AA Sup: your not listening and it's the only way to get through!
me: Well then matey, you stop right there. I want your supervisor please.
AA Sup: I am the supervisor, there isn't anyone else, I am the senior technical advisor this is my dept.
me: so you are in charge of the AA then?
AA sup: (Deflated) Erm, no...
Me: I want your name, your position and your customer complaints number
AA Sup: OK...
I got a quick responce from the customer complaints dept, and a fairly blunt and briefly apologetic letter from his boss along with a nice fat cheque for £475
So not all that easily delt with in my experience.
Still paid for its self in one go though even with the hassle of dealing with them. Still got it too.
my 2p
Tut: How do they cope with an engine swap?
Rich
Clutch release fork seized, garage say it was seized nothing more, gearbox off car, clutch burned a bit no other damage.
AA say the will send an engineer, but don't, and authorise the repair. Great thinks me.
Comes to money, I ask them what happens (Paraphrased
)AA: Oh it's not covered as it was corrosion.
Me: who said it was corrosion?
AA: well it must have been it had seized
me: WTF? No pal it was seized, no one said corrosion, did you send an engineer?
AA: No
Me: Well the car is back together
AA: Ah, can I phone you back....
Next call:
AA: it's not covered as it was a gradual failure.
Me: can you please explain to me who something gradually seizes?
AA: Ah, erm, can I call you back?
Next call:
AA: Seized parts are specifically excluded form the T&Cs
Me: Ah, ok, I'm looking at your T&Cs, can you show me where and I'll leave you alone.
AA: Ah, I don't have a copy just here, can I call you back?
Me: No, I want your supervisor
AA: But, but, but...
Me: Grr, me want supervisor
AA: OK...
Supervisor basically tries exactly the same tactics with me, same problems and same responses. I remained (Frustratingly) calm and annoyingly informed and clever for a customer, he got more and more irate. He claimed to be their senior technical manager.
Me: If you can explain to me where in your T&Cs I am not covered for the repairs I will be happy and stand the Bill myself.
AA Sup: You aren't listening to me! I've told you!
Me: But you didn't send an engineer, and don't have anything to support the rejection...
AA Sup: But clutches aren't covered!
me: Why are you shouting? (Expecting a sorry, didn't mean to etc)
AA Sup: your not listening and it's the only way to get through!
me: Well then matey, you stop right there. I want your supervisor please.
AA Sup: I am the supervisor, there isn't anyone else, I am the senior technical advisor this is my dept.
me: so you are in charge of the AA then?
AA sup: (Deflated) Erm, no...
Me: I want your name, your position and your customer complaints number
AA Sup: OK...
I got a quick responce from the customer complaints dept, and a fairly blunt and briefly apologetic letter from his boss along with a nice fat cheque for £475
So not all that easily delt with in my experience.
Still paid for its self in one go though even with the hassle of dealing with them. Still got it too.
my 2p
Tut: How do they cope with an engine swap?
Rich
1994 Lotus Esprit S4 - Work in progress
1980 Porsche 924 Turbo - Funky Interior Spec
2004 Smart Roadster Coupe - Hers
1980 Porsche 924 Turbo - Funky Interior Spec
2004 Smart Roadster Coupe - Hers