CAA frustrations

[aokec]

Am I the only one complaining about CAA? I was once stuck in the middle of a parking lot at 2am waiting for CAA, told that a car would arrive in 40 minutes, but waited until 3am when I just took off. The driver called me at 4:30am.

It was so frustrating because to get to an operator took half an hour in the wee hours of the morning, and you had to listen to the same CAA messages for that whole half hour over and over. They have this tone that makes it sound like you're going to reach an operator, only to get the same repetitive message repeated once again.

I paid for a gold membership but got crap service.

[matdwyer]

I've used CAA maybe 5 times. Each time it was fantastic, exactly as described. Operators genuinely seemed to care, called back to confirm everything was OK, etc. The guys that actually come are mostly contracted, so they are hit and miss, but not terrible. One time I had them come 2 or 3 times with different trucks as they couldn't move my car out of a tight spot with the bigger truck.

[poedua]

I've used CAA maybe 5 times. Each time it was fantastic, exactly as described. Operators genuinely seemed to care, called back to confirm everything was OK, etc. The guys that actually come are mostly contracted, so they are hit and miss, but not terrible. One time I had them come 2 or 3 times with different trucks as they couldn't move my car out of a tight spot with the bigger truck.

Same here...used them at least a half dozen times over the most recent years ....nothing but top notch service from CAA each and every time

[Pete_Coach]

I have been a CAA menber for over 30 years. When my kids were at home, we nearly became personal freinds with the CAA operators LOL. My kids seemed to have some kind of jinx and often needed to be towed or have a flat changed. Never had a problem with CAA service. Yes, sometimes it took a while but, I understood that I was not the only customer on the road or needing help.
Even today (and in recent years) I am still a CAA customer even though I have had roadside assistance from my OEM's. You want to hear some sad stories, try OEM free roadside assistance. OEM roadside assistance is provided by the lowest bidder in your area to the OEM, doesn't that guarantee you good service?

[coriolis]

When my Volt got a flat Tire, I contacted GM assistance, the operator was nice but it took almost 4 hours for a truck to come. They actually had to change tow truck company three times as the first two didn't end up coming. Makes sense now...

[vero95]

I can't complain about CAA. in fact they helped my son who is not covered when he got flat tire on a hwy for free

[Tommy74]

Am I the only one complaining about CAA? I was once stuck in the middle of a parking lot at 2am waiting for CAA, told that a car would arrive in 40 minutes, but waited until 3am when I just took off. The driver called me at 4:30am.

It was so frustrating because to get to an operator took half an hour in the wee hours of the morning, and you had to listen to the same CAA messages for that whole half hour over and over. They have this tone that makes it sound like you're going to reach an operator, only to get the same repetitive message repeated once again.

I paid for a gold membership but got crap service.
You waited one hour for tow truck and than you drove away? Make no sense to call the tow truck in the first place if the car was drivable....that's why they didn't bother sending the truck.....Were you low on gas, hoping they will bring 5L at no charge?
Never had a problem with CAA, once I used them in US and the AAA truck showed up within 15 minutes in the middle of nowhere. Always great service...

[iEyeCaptain]

I have CAA. It's good.

For $60/year, every driver should have it.

[qaz393]

my cumpare got stuck and they got rescued by them. they are like their heros now.

[Arrgh]

I have CAA. It's good.

For $60/year, every driver should have it.

They are good. But if you have new car with roadside assistance and maps, you don't need CAA.

[MitSl]

CAA has been great for to me for the last 12 years.

2 years ago I was stuck in New Jersey (car alarm went off in Hotel parking lot for the whole night), called CAA within 40 min a AAA tow truck came and jump started the car, with no additional charge.

Normally right after you speak to them you get a call back stating approx waiting time, then again with a call several minutes before they arrive.

[KL]

CAA has been great for me and my family members, I've locked my keys in the car a couple of times, needed a boost once, and my dad needed a booster a few times, CAA has always been prompt and punctual both in answering my call and dispatching the service required.

I upgraded to the CAA Plus last year, and then needed a flat-bed tow a couple of months later but their records didn't show the upgrade, however they were kind enough to wave the charge based on my account and that I've been a long-time member.

OP, I also don't understand why you called CAA, waited an hour, then drove away, what exactly was the problem you had when you called CAA?! :rolleyes:

[devil2k]

CAA clubs operate individually, the quality of service you get might differ. Not all tow trucks are operated by CAA either, many of them are contractors. If you hated the service that much, go directly to your local CAA's head office to complain. They'll probably even give you a refund.

You should mention the name of the club that you're a member of. There are 3 clubs in Ontario alone.

[M-e-X-x]

I can't complain about CAA. in fact they helped my son who is not covered when he got flat tire on a hwy for free

So long as someone has a membership on them at the time of incident then it shouldn't be a problem. I think it used to follow the vehicle, not the member, but they didn't really enforce it?

[flyz]

my cumpare got stuck and they got rescued by them. they are like their heros now.

I heard it just needed an extra inch


of ground clearance.

[poedua]

So long as someone has a membership on them at the time of incident then it shouldn't be a problem.

I think it used to follow the vehicle, not the member, but they didn't really enforce it?

It follows the member.

[aokec]

I have had good experiences with CAA all except for this one time. It was the CAA customer service rep who had so-so English and promised me that someone would text me 5 min before 3am and nobody did, I ended up getting a call from some driver at 430am.

Each time I called after midnight it took half an hour of waiting and being forced to listen to the same message, and you kinda lose patience listening to these messages while waiting to see if someone will pick up for so long.

[cinnamontwist]

Well I hope you called and told them about the service you received especially when you are waiting at night.

[ichpen]

No complaints at all about caa. I usually max out my flatbed tows per year also. All the drivers have been top notch though as others have said a lot of them are subcontracted.

[Voltex]

What was the reason for needing a tow?

[liplip]

I've only had to call them once and the service wasn't great.Called around 8:30pm and was told 30 mins.Waited an hour and nothing came.Called again and was told its on the way.30 mins passes and still nothing so I called my parents and my parents came and help boost my car.Don't know if caa ever made it.

[Pete_Coach]

What was the reason for needing a tow?
Adds no value and makes absolutely no difference to the topic.

[l69norm]

I have had good experiences with CAA all except for this one time. It was the CAA customer service rep who had so-so English and promised me that someone would text me 5 min before 3am and nobody did, I ended up getting a call from some driver at 430am.

Each time I called after midnight it took half an hour of waiting and being forced to listen to the same message, and you kinda lose patience listening to these messages while waiting to see if someone will pick up for so long.

You should receive an email link to a customer service survey for the road service. You can complain in there.

[Voltex]

Adds no value and makes absolutely no difference to the topic.

Just like your post

[zzz3]

my cumpare got stuck and they got rescued by them. they are like their heros now.

minus whale save $60 year and buy tow straps.






or ask for lx570.

[macnut]

Am I the only one complaining about CAA?

No complaints here. But if I did need to call them at 2 a.m. I might adjust my expectations accordingly.

They are not going to be fully staffed at the switchboard or on the road, even if 2 a.m. can be busy with bars and clubs turning out patrons who left their headlights on, keys in the locked car, etc.

A 2.5 hr. response is surely outside their performance target, but I can see how it could happen.

If the parking lot you were at was not off the beaten track then I'm sure they would offer an apology and explanation, if not compensation.

[aokec]

No complaints here. But if I did need to call them at 2 a.m. I might adjust my expectations accordingly.

They are not going to be fully staffed at the switchboard or on the road, even if 2 a.m. can be busy with bars and clubs turning out patrons who left their headlights on, keys in the locked car, etc.

A 2.5 hr. response is surely outside their performance target, but I can see how it could happen.

If the parking lot you were at was not off the beaten track then I'm sure they would offer an apology and explanation, if not compensation.


I wonder if they'd offer a partial credit to my membership...

[gouki556]

CAA has never let me down. OP post is totally made up.

[Kenneth]

OP: CAA prioritizes service calls in the same manner an ER's triage nurse does. So when you called there might have been no real wait. But since your car was somewhat moveable and in a safe parking lot you had the least priority. If someone called ten minutes after you but there car stalled on the 401, they would go to them first.

I had there premium membership for years. But after sunoco stopped there 2% cash back and I had multiple other coverages from credit cards, insurance company, and OEM concurrently, I cancelled caa.

[Ctrl-Z]

CCA is great unless you're in need of their services at the same time as thousands of other members are. Like during a winter storm. Like waiting 3 DAYS for a battery boost while stuck in an airport hotel parking lot with no way home.

[vaportech]

Not gonna lie, caa helped me and my boys out when we got stuck off roading. The tow truck driver came and he's like i was told you guys couldn't get the car started, i figured it was a dead battery or something. But this? This isn't clearly covered under any of our packages. But w.e i'll tow you out. Came in less than 10 mins

[l69norm]

CCA is great unless you're in need of their services at the same time as thousands of other members are. Like during a winter storm. Like waiting 3 DAYS for a battery boost while stuck in an airport hotel parking lot with no way home.


Under severe weather conditions and periods of intense service activity, ..... Your patience and understanding in these circumstances is greatly appreciated. If you aren’t able to get service from CAA, or its affiliated contractors, we’ll reimburse you for services provided by another facility.

If you have contacted our Emergency Road Service and assistance is not available, you may obtain your own service, pay for it and submit the receipt to your Club within 60 days. Reimbursement will be based on the prevailing commercial rate for the region where the vehicle was disabled. If the CAA service WAS AVAILABLE but not used, reimbursement will be made at the local contract rate, subject to approval by CAA.

If it's really busy, you can call someone else and then bill CAA. Next time you are in a similar situation, call a cab for a boost service. Its about $30, then send the bill to CAA

CAA wait time to pickup the phone can be pretty long after hours. It can be 10 mins+ just to answer the phone on a regular weekend evening

[Pete_Coach]

Just like your post
Ooooh...good one :D.
I got my point across to you....obviously :lol:


OP: CAA prioritizes service calls in the same manner an ER's triage nurse does. So when you called there might have been no real wait. But since your car was somewhat moveable and in a safe parking lot you had the least priority. If someone called ten minutes after you but there car stalled on the 401, they would go to them first.

I had there premium membership for years. But after sunoco stopped there 2% cash back and I had multiple other coverages from credit cards, insurance company, and OEM concurrently, I cancelled caa.
I agree, I think that that may be the reason for delay. A certain number of calls and a fewer number of trucks on the road. someone has to wait.
All, roadside assistance companies will suffer the same situations, CAA is no better or worse than any of them.