Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Right a grumpy resurrection; but of late, it's something that like with others, has really started to boil my p***. OK, I'll freely admit I'm the sort of "reserved" middle aged type bloke that'll rarely complain in a restaurant, and stand still anywhere near the till in a shop and I'll probably form an orderly queue behind you So what the devil is about dealing with large companies these days that makes be feel like I'm haggling in a Turkish Bazaar? And it's not just regular insurance. I had a renewal through from the AA today, I've been with them for the last 22 years, as a result, I've had complementary Home-Start (where they'll come even if you've not left home) for years. I also usually have Relay, (where they'll recover you from anywhere in the UK to home) every other year - it's a sort of game, where they give it me for a tenner one year, then want to charge full price the next, at which point I cancel the Relay etc. etc! So normal renewal is either £62 and I cancel the extra £60 for Relay, or £72 including Relay for £10. (I've always had good service personally, so no complaints on the Patrols side) Imagine my pleasant surprise when a renewal, (automatically by direct debit in April, naturally), letter comes through for £178.42! Everything at full price, so do a bit of web research, I could if I cancel and rejoin, get forty odd percent discount off those prices. But won't, didn't even think about haggling, just rang up to politely speak to someone and ask to cancel. Britannia would do what I want for the same sort of money as i was paying. However, no sooner have I explained why I'm annoyed, not even told them I plan to cancel when they immediately offer to keep the present level of cover for £72. what the devil, a hundred off just for ringing up :angry: TBH, I nearly cancelled anyway, just in disgust, but in the end renewed, just like that meal was always "lovely, thanks". But do I really have to challenge every bill and invoice now? Can no one just give me the real price for anything any more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KugaWestie Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 My wife drives a little 1.2 Fabia - great car for what she uses it for. Anyway, it is coming up to needing it annual 12 month service. So I ring the Skoda approved servicer local to where I work, thinking on th day it is serviced I can just drive it to them, drop it off and walk to work. uote is £94 all in. Secondly, I ring up the dealer we purchased it from, which will mean hassle of driving into city centre at 8am, or doing it on a saturday morning, or a courtesy car - £154 50% more expensice - what the devil? I told the dealer this, and when he offered to match the price, I told him I want best price first time, and stop taking the pi$$ So he tried his luck and lost - but how many times do these guys try their luck and get a result......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 My wife drives a little 1.2 Fabia - great car for what she uses it for. but how many times do these guys try their luck and get a result......... My sentiments entirely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreigM Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 can I add to this thread my experience getting an insurance quote with Adrian Flux....phoned up, got through all the details, then the "hard sell" begins, I just wanted to know the f'ing price, but the guy goes on about all the features etc at length before getting to the price, he starts to annoy with his presumption that its such a good deal I will automatically go ahead, then when I say I want to think about it he gets more pushy and says stuff like "do you want me to phone you later in the week" to which I said no......finally get him off the phone... Then their automated email comes through with the ACTUAL price, some £30 less than he was telling me, as he was including legal protection and breakdown in the price he told me without letting me know the base price...if he told me the real price on the phone he might have made a sale... Then twice this week he has called me back, after me specifically saying not to and I'd call him. The price was good and if it wasn't for the grab for the extra £30 and the pushy salesman they probably would have a customer....as it is I'm going to wait a while and see what I feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2rrr Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Just reached my first tax renewal and also insurance renewal. Pain in the rear as the Insurance database although telling me I'm insured today (and till Feb 2013) hasn't or won't reset the taxation database. I've got to do it the old fashioned way. First find a post office which does the business then get there before they close after work. Right pain but thats progress. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Dastardly Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Yup, this sort of stuff really ticks me off too. Why can't utilities quote their best prices at contract renewal time? Why do you have to cancel first to get the best deal? Less hassle all round if they would just renew you at their best price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterg Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 can I add to this thread my experience getting an insurance quote with Adrian Flux........ as it is I'm going to wait a while and see what I feel. If I were you I'd go anywhere BUT Adrian Flux - there have been a lot of horror stories about them and not just on this forum... Try A-Plan, Footman James, MSM, REIS or Frank Pickles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I auto renewed with AF for years until I rang to find out if I could extend the mileage. I was lectured and insulted and then quoted double. I rang MSM and they got me 7500 miles, instead of 3000, legal and breakdown cover (not on AFs policy) for £10 more than I'd paid AF for 3000 miles. MSM were really brilliant. When I broke down in France they must have rung me at least 8 times to let me know what was happening until the local breakdown truck turned up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2rrr Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 From post #80 taxed the car today, post office guy queried the insurance docs but they did say certificate on one sheet. He was impressed with it being a Westfield so he was the nicest guy I met today. Only took 15mins instead of 10 mins on the pc and punching a hole in the screen in frustration. Alls good now, taxed and insured for another year just the agreed valuation to sort and thats arranged.. Bob :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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