Croatia - Breakdown Warning even with Red Pennant

Kenf
Kenf Forum Participant Posts: 11
edited May 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

For the benefit of anyone travelling to Croatia this summer and probably other European countries. Please be aware that should you breakdown on the motorway and are awaiting assistance/recovery via Red Pennant DO NOT ACCEPT RECOVERY FROM A BREAKDOWN TRUCK UNLESS YOU KNOW 100% IT IS THE ONE DISPATCHED SPECIFICALLY FOR YOU!! Last summer I broke down and was on the hard shoulder on a high bridge with lots of traffic noise, called RP and was told someone would be with me. Shortly afterwards a kindly Croatian M'way patrol guy (who was just passing) parked on the opposite carriageway hard shoulder and came across to check we were ok. Meanwhile a recovery truck turned up and quickly proceeded to start hitching me up. My phone rang and it was the designated Croatian recovery firm! The patrol man spoke with them and it transpired that those trying to hitch me up were not kosher, but were in fact (as per the patrol man) bandits, mafia, etc. and just "fishing the motorway" for anyone in trouble. God only knows what would have happened and how much it would have cost me had he not been there and I'd allowed them to tow us off. The designated truck arrived shortly after the patrol guy had told me their name and phone number and that it would be on the side of their truck.  Please, if you have to call RP you must get the name and phone number of the breakdown company that is being sent out to you so that you can check the livery on the tow truck when it arrives. RED PENNANT it must be part of your policy/procedure for staff to warn people about this and to ensure that those in trouble do not accept recovery until you have confirmed the name and number of the recovery firm with them. PLEASE!!!

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #2

    Even if you breakdown on a French motorway Red Pennant cannot help you - but a local contractor, of whom you have no knowledge, will tow you in and give you a bill. You pay with a card, get a receipt  and claim it back from Red Pennant later. I have had breakdown service from other contractors in Austria too. 

    Is Croatia vey different? Just pay up and claim it back. 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited May 2018 #3

    Think I`ll go along with "kenf" you could be towed off to be literally taken for a ride.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #4

    Let me put it another way.

    I stand outside the station and phone for a taxi - one arrives and takes me home. Does it matter much if it's the taxi I ordered or another one? 

    Our friend was standing by a motorway phoning for a breakdown truck and one arrived. Does it matter much if it was the one he ordered or another one? 

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #5

    I would think if the motorway patrol "advised"they were bandits then who knows what was going to happen when they took off with your pride and joy, a very good heads up for the majority of red pennant users,and as for taxis surprised

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #6

    There be bandits out there ?  . Those who worry as much as that should stay at home. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #7

    Thanks for the heads up kenf. If we get there I will heed your advise

  • DJG
    DJG Forum Participant Posts: 277
    edited May 2018 #8

    Like you!

  • Kenf
    Kenf Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited June 2018 #9

    Eurotraveller from Cornwall... we have travelled many times all around Europe and fortunately never had to use Red Pennant. We are experienced Eurotravellers and do not worry so will not stay at home thank you. Yes there are Mafia, thieves, robbers, bandits etc out there as many on this forum have sadly fallen pray to. Let me put it another way, if I ordered a taxi to take me home (nr Leeds) which is usually a fiver and ended up in a different taxi who took me to London and demanded £250 or he'd break my legs... now see where I'm coming from? Where off next month for a four week trip round Germany, Poland, Netherlands and Belgium and we will enjoy it. I wish you safe and enjoyable travelling wherever it takes you. Stay safe friend!

  • Kenf
    Kenf Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited June 2018 #10

    Eurotraveller... PS ...you would also not be able to claim anything back because you took off with the wrong lot! frown

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #11

    Worrying.  The reason Uber are successful is that you know the colour, make, registration and arrival time of the car you have booked. Mate of mine was in Peru and jumped in a taxi.  When he was dropped off he got out and the driver drove off with all his gear! Anything can happen if you accept unsolicited help so this is a good reminder.

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