Greenflag Mayday - a cautionary tale
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You are not on your own there.
We have had the pleasure of having to use the services of the Green Flag/ May Day services. The first time the diesel return pipe came off the engine of our L-R. They sent a kid out in a van with a computer and a bag of spanners. There was no where to plug the computer into as my L-R was built before that sort of thing was used. as for the Bag of spanners, I don't think the kid knew was I was talking about when I opened the bonnet and showed him what the problem was.
He said that he would check with his garage to find out if they could repair the fault at the road side. while he was doing that a passing motorist told me there was a car parts place just down the road.
The kid was still on the phone to his Boss when I returned with the parts having walked down and back, fixed the problem and shut the bonnet just as the kid came back.
His boss said that they could not fix fuel faults at the side of the road as it was against the conditions of the Health and Safety code. He then said that his Boss was going to send for a bigger tow truck to tow us and our caravan to their garage where we would have to stay over night on the forecourt so that their Mechanics could fix the problem in the morning.
I took great Pleasure in explaining to the kid what I had done while he was on the phone to his Boss and that the Problem was now fixed at the side of the ROAD.
The kid couldn't understand why I wouldn't sign his form for the repair
When I had done all the work!!
The second time we had the Need to call on the services of Green Flag / May day was in Late July 2018 when as we were about to leave the clubs site at Brighton. The nearside front swivel bearing and stub axle Broke, We had just got out side of the approach road when we came to a sudden stop.
We called the breakdown number and the help line lady said the agent had been informed and that someone would be there soon.
Twenty mins later a young man arrived ready with his overalls on ready for action. When I told him what I thought it was, just smiled and said well you won't mind if I just Jack the front up and have a little look. No of cause you can, I said. he said after jacking it up that the wheel would have to come off so that he could feel if there was any play in the bearing. I said to him that is not the main problem, the fact that the road wheel was at such a funny angle and the grinding noise when you turn the wheel means the inside swivel has collapsed. Oh he said. You know a bit about these L-Rs then. Yes I said. it just needs transporting back home where I will be able to repair it my self. Oh he said. We've got a little problem there. Why I said. Well it's been a very busy weekend and to day being Monday we haven't got a recovery wagon big enough to get you on and tow your van. So what are you and the firm going to do, I asked.
My Boss has said that we will repair your L-R here or back at our yard. I asked him who is going to foot the Bill as I have Paid to have my Vehicle and Caravan recovered to my home destination.
After a long phone call to his boss and to the caravan Club. I was told that the Club would stand the whole bill and that we would get 2 nights free to stay at Brighton while the job/ repairs were carried out. the Club had to then work out how our onward travel arrangement would have to be arranged as it would take me 2 days to get home. I have no idea how much it cost the Club, I have little faith in our Club break down services.
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At the end of the day this company relies on franchised recovery units, up and down the country, thus service will be variable to say the least.
Whilst there are tales of woe, there are also stories how well they did.
I for one, despite the above horror stories, will remain with them on the grounds that my experience could not have gone better.
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Used green flag twice ,great service ,( another old l/r owner } one recovery tried the we will take it to our yard tactic . Good earner for them . No you wont i said .soon got car back home .
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We have always had mayday cover as far back as i can remember.
2 instances have made me decide we will never renew or take out this cover again. It has declined beyond belief.
1st instance year before last our mondeo broke down. Guy comes out in a transit fitted with towing wheels and explains mondeo is too big for him to tow all the way back. Needs a bigger tow truck so can only take us part way. Leaves us at services for 4 hours waiting for a bigger tow truck. Guess what? Same transit arrived different driver. Tows us home. I complained. Got £30 refunded.
This year volvo plus caravan breakdown. First thing the engineer says oh we cant take the caravan!!!!
Yes you can I inform him.
Keep getting texts, jo will be with you , fred will be with you, Arnold will be with you etc etc. Kept calling to be told oh yes they're almost there. 6 hours we waited. Kept being lied to continually.
I complained. They weren't bothered.
Not getting our custom again.
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My van was due an MOT but the local council run centre couldn't fit it in until 4 days after it expired even though i booked it around a month in advance but no worry I didn't need to use it in that period.
On the way to the MOT an engine warning light came on and a message to stop. This was only around 400 metres from the MOT centre. I checked under the bonnet and there was diesel leaking from somewhere. Since I knew that even with a quick response from Greenflag It was unlikely there would be time to complete the MOT in the slot booked I rang and told them of the problem and cancelled the MOT.
I then rang Greenflag to get someone to attend to the problem. The operator told me the MOT had expired and I explained that I was actually on my way to the MOT centre. The operator then said she would have to check with the MOT centre so I gave her the details.
When the operator rang back she reminded me that calls were monitored. This stated the alarm bells ringing. She then went on to tell me that they would not send someone out as I was no longer going for an MOT. I explained that the only reason I wasn't going for an MOT was that the van was actually broken down but she continued to insist that they wouldn't attend. I just hung up at that point since what I wanted to say wouldn't have been polite.
I wonder if this is part of Greenflag's modus operandi to weasel out of any calls they can. I won't be using them in future.
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A sad tale Nelson and really sorry to hear about it. But I suppose if one of their conditions for their services is having a valid MOT then they are within their rights however harsh and horrible that is for you. I know you and others wouldn't abuse the rule but many others might and they have to cover themselves?
Just from your post would you have been covered if you had not cancelled the MOT? If so that is useful to know for others faced with your situation.
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