I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy one van....

wait time on hold both times overa hour and a half..... finally got my questions answered by stopping by one of their stores for lack of a better term.. one time they never answered when i finally gave up .

I complained loudly about the rotten service. was told all the AAAsare now owned and managed from california. where they consolidated all their telephone call centers. unfortunately they arent able to answer calls from pennsylvania in a timely fashion. they are attempting to move their phone help back to pennsylvania

what is wrong with america? service is non existent, college grads in suits give the orders how to cut costs while they enjoy all the perks.

in triple aaas case a rep promised me someone would call me back.

not only did they never call me back they tell me theres no way to complain......

no address no phone number andmany levels you cant get thru to complain

On 9/16/2015 3:33 PM, bob haller wrote:
I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their
service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy
one van....

wait time on hold both times overa hour and a half..... finally got my
questions answered by stopping by one of their stores for lack of a better
term.. one time they never answered when i finally gave up .

I complained loudly about the rotten service. was told all the AAAsare now
owned and managed from california. where they consolidated all their
telephone call centers. unfortunately they arent able to answer calls from
pennsylvania in a timely fashion. they are attempting to move their phone
help back to pennsylvania

what is wrong with america? service is non existent, college grads in suits
give the orders how to cut costs while they enjoy all the perks.

Service is still available. But, you often have to pay dearly for it!

We recently purchased a vehicle. Talking with friends/colleagues, *many*
recommended Lexus. Almost universally, their reason was "The service is
excellent!" Folks mentioned the "free" loaner car while yours is being
serviced. Or, that they get a little gift on their birthday. Or, that
they are greeted by name. Or, stroke, stroke, stroke

Of course, from my cynical perspective, the service is also EXPENSIVE!
Apparently, *they* don't consider expense in their "assessment" of the
"brand". I aim for "it just works!"

I do an oil change for ~$25 and 30 minutes of my time. Having the
dealer do it will cost me $60 and almost 2 hours of my time: 20 minutes
to drop the car off; a few minutes to talk to the service rep and pick
up keys for a "loaner"; 20 minutes to get home; then repeat this to
return to pick up *my* car when it is ready.

What *I* look for in a vehicle is not *needing* service. If everything is
just routine maintenance, then I can predict the TCO at the time of the
sale. I know how many hassles I am likely to have to face in the future.
If "things tend to break", then the fact that the dealer recognizes me and
knows my name when I drive up is NOT an asset! I want him to look at me
and wonder "where have I seen this guy, before?" not, "Hey! Welcome BACK!"

in triple aaas case a rep promised me someone would call me back.

not only did they never call me back they tell me theres no way to
complain......

Look them up in D&B and send a letter to their CEO. I've heard that
each written complaint a firm receives is seen as representative of
hundreds (thousands?) of folks who have similar sentiments but weren't
motivated enough to put their thoughts to paper.

no address no phone number andmany levels you cant get thru to complain

Cancel/don't renew your membership. Share your experience with others.
Post an entry in a blog, facebook, etc.

On 9/16/2015 7:05 PM, Don Y wrote:
On 9/16/2015 3:33 PM, bob haller wrote:

no address no phone number andmany levels you cant get thru to complain

Cancel/don't renew your membership. Share your experience with others.
Post an entry in a blog, facebook, etc.

Got to be some alternative service that
does towing?

-
..
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
.. www.lds.org
..
..

On Wed, 16 Sep 2015 20:22:40 -0400, Stormin Mormon
wrote:

On 9/16/2015 7:05 PM, Don Y wrote:
On 9/16/2015 3:33 PM, bob haller wrote:

no address no phone number andmany levels you cant get thru to complain

Cancel/don't renew your membership. Share your experience with others.
Post an entry in a blog, facebook, etc.

Got to be some alternative service that
does towing?

-
.
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
. www.lds.org
.
.

My car insurance includes (and I pay for) towing. And they provide a
phone number to call them and they arrange towing. For new cars
there is often towing included during the warranty period and a phone
number provided. Both my fords included it... no need to pay Lexus
prices. My Dodge dealer does oil changes for between $15 to $30
dollars depending on whether I catch a special. They also run a
Shuttle for free if I don't want to wait. No wait needed for oil
changes but other service might take longer.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 6:05:20 PM UTC-5, Don Y wrote:
On 9/16/2015 3:33 PM, bob haller wrote:
I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their
service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy
one van....

wait time on hold both times overa hour and a half..... finally got my
questions answered by stopping by one of their stores for lack of a better
term.. one time they never answered when i finally gave up .

I complained loudly about the rotten service. was told all the AAAsare now
owned and managed from california. where they consolidated all their
telephone call centers. unfortunately they arent able to answer calls from
pennsylvania in a timely fashion. they are attempting to move their phone
help back to pennsylvania

what is wrong with america? service is non existent, college grads in suits
give the orders how to cut costs while they enjoy all the perks.

Service is still available. But, you often have to pay dearly for it!

We recently purchased a vehicle. Talking with friends/colleagues, *many*
recommended Lexus. Almost universally, their reason was "The service is
excellent!" Folks mentioned the "free" loaner car while yours is being
serviced. Or, that they get a little gift on their birthday. Or, that
they are greeted by name. Or, stroke, stroke, stroke

Of course, from my cynical perspective, the service is also EXPENSIVE!
Apparently, *they* don't consider expense in their "assessment" of the
"brand". I aim for "it just works!"

I do an oil change for ~$25 and 30 minutes of my time. Having the
dealer do it will cost me $60 and almost 2 hours of my time: 20 minutes
to drop the car off; a few minutes to talk to the service rep and pick
up keys for a "loaner"; 20 minutes to get home; then repeat this to
return to pick up *my* car when it is ready.

What *I* look for in a vehicle is not *needing* service. If everything is
just routine maintenance, then I can predict the TCO at the time of the
sale. I know how many hassles I am likely to have to face in the future.
If "things tend to break", then the fact that the dealer recognizes me and
knows my name when I drive up is NOT an asset! I want him to look at me
and wonder "where have I seen this guy, before?" not, "Hey! Welcome BACK!"

in triple aaas case a rep promised me someone would call me back.

not only did they never call me back they tell me theres no way to
complain......

Look them up in D&B and send a letter to their CEO. I've heard that
each written complaint a firm receives is seen as representative of
hundreds (thousands?) of folks who have similar sentiments but weren't
motivated enough to put their thoughts to paper.

no address no phone number andmany levels you cant get thru to complain

Cancel/don't renew your membership. Share your experience with others.
Post an entry in a blog, facebook, etc.

I knew that AARP had an auto club but there are a bunch of others. ^_^

http://roadside-assistance-services-...enreviews.com/

[8~{} Uncle Road Monster

On 9/16/2015 8:30 PM, Uncle Monster wrote:

I knew that AARP had an auto club but there are a bunch of others. ^_^

http://roadside-assistance-services-...enreviews.com/

[8~{} Uncle Road Monster


AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
.. www.lds.org
..
..

On 2015-09-17, Stormin Mormon wrote:
AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.

I'm an old phart but will not join AARP because I loathe their politics.

--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger Blake (Change "invalid" to "com" for email. Google Groups killfiled.)

NSA sedition and treason -- http://www.DeathToNSAthugs.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Roger Blake" wrote in message
...
On 2015-09-17, Stormin Mormon wrote:
AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.

I'm an old phart but will not join AARP because I loathe their politics.


That is why I don't join either.

The should kep out out of things that don't directly effect us like gun
control.

On 9/16/2015 10:13 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
On 2015-09-17, Stormin Mormon wrote:
AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.

I'm an old phart but will not join AARP because I loathe their politics.


As a born and raised American, I don't much like
socialists.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
.. www.lds.org
..
..

On Wed, 16 Sep 2015 21:58:43 -0400, Stormin Mormon
wrote in

On 9/16/2015 8:30 PM, Uncle Monster wrote:

I knew that AARP had an auto club but there are a bunch of others. ^_^

http://roadside-assistance-services-...enreviews.com/

[8~{} Uncle Road Monster


AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.

+1
--
Web based forums are like subscribing to 10 different newspapers
and having to visit 10 different news stands to pickup each one.
Email list-server groups and USENET are like having all of those
newspapers delivered to your door every morning.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 8:58:46 PM UTC-5, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 9/16/2015 8:30 PM, Uncle Monster wrote:

I knew that AARP had an auto club but there are a bunch of others. ^_^

http://roadside-assistance-services-...enreviews.com/

[8~{} Uncle Road Monster


AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.
-
.

AARP is run by a bunch of old Hippie Democrats who use the money collected older Conservative Americans to lobby Congress to advance Leftist causes. It's a lot like union bosses that take money from union members to lobby Democrats and Conservative union members have no say. There are Conservative leaning alternatives to AARP such as "AMAC", "ASA" and "NASCON". There's even a Christian alternative to "AARP" called "CAP". ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Old Monster

On 9/16/2015 9:58 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 9/16/2015 8:30 PM, Uncle Monster wrote:

I knew that AARP had an auto club but there are a bunch of others. ^_^

http://roadside-assistance-services-...enreviews.com/

[8~{} Uncle Road Monster


AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.

-
.
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
. www.lds.org
.
.

AARP is an insurance company with an old folks home in the back.

Their administration makes money off the backs of its members.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 9:58:46 PM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 9/16/2015 8:30 PM, Uncle Monster wrote:

I knew that AARP had an auto club but there are a bunch of others. ^_^

http://roadside-assistance-services-...enreviews.com/

[8~{} Uncle Road Monster


AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.

-
.
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
. www.lds.org
.
.

There's an alternative group: https://amac.us/

On 9/18/2015 5:54 AM, Pavel314 wrote:
On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 9:58:46 PM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 9/16/2015 8:30 PM, Uncle Monster wrote:

I knew that AARP had an auto club but there are a bunch of others. ^_^

http://roadside-assistance-services-...enreviews.com/

[8~{} Uncle Road Monster


AARP, those are (some of) the guys who want to protect
old folks from crime by disarming the old folks. While
leaving the dobads alone.

-
.
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
. www.lds.org
.
.

There's an alternative group: https://amac.us/

Saw their web site. They look like a bunch of right wing wackos. I
counted about 60 lies in just three minutes.

On Wed, 16 Sep 2015 16:05:35 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

Snip

Of course, from my cynical perspective, the service is also EXPENSIVE!
Apparently, *they* don't consider expense in their "assessment" of the
"brand". I aim for "it just works!"

I do an oil change for ~$25 and 30 minutes of my time. Having the
dealer do it will cost me $60 and almost 2 hours of my time: 20 minutes
to drop the car off; a few minutes to talk to the service rep and pick
up keys for a "loaner"; 20 minutes to get home; then repeat this to
return to pick up *my* car when it is ready.

You need to buy from a different dealer.

My BMW dealer will bring the loaner, usually a brand new BMW, and
drive my car back for whatever service I have scheduled. Then when the
service is completed they will bring my car back to me and pick up
their loaner. My BMW is now 10 years old and I live about 30 miles
from the dealership and I always get excellent service from them.

My wife's Mercedes is 2 years old and that dealer will do the same
thing for her car too. That dealer is in the same town as my BMW
dealer.

Snip

On 9/16/2015 6:44 PM, Gordon Shumway wrote:
On Wed, 16 Sep 2015 16:05:35 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

Snip

Of course, from my cynical perspective, the service is also EXPENSIVE!
Apparently, *they* don't consider expense in their "assessment" of the
"brand". I aim for "it just works!"

I do an oil change for ~$25 and 30 minutes of my time. Having the
dealer do it will cost me $60 and almost 2 hours of my time: 20 minutes
to drop the car off; a few minutes to talk to the service rep and pick
up keys for a "loaner"; 20 minutes to get home; then repeat this to
return to pick up *my* car when it is ready.

You need to buy from a different dealer.

If I want to drive 120 miles to the next metropolitan area, I could
possibly get a dealer with different policies. OTOH, I don't think
he'll be willing to drive the 120 miles each way to pick up my
vehicle for service. And, *I* surely won't be interested in
driving those 120 miles -- both to drop off and pick up!

My BMW dealer will bring the loaner, usually a brand new BMW, and
drive my car back for whatever service I have scheduled. Then when the
service is completed they will bring my car back to me and pick up
their loaner. My BMW is now 10 years old and I live about 30 miles
from the dealership and I always get excellent service from them.

My wife's Mercedes is 2 years old and that dealer will do the same
thing for her car too. That dealer is in the same town as my BMW
dealer.

Snip

On Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:33:07 -0700 (PDT), bob haller
wrote:

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy one van....

wait time on hold both times overa hour and a half..... finally got my questions answered by stopping by one of their stores for lack of a better term. one time they never answered when i finally gave up .


There you go. I have had AAA since 1967 and it never occurred to me to
call them about a title issue.
I mostly use them to get good paper maps (remember those?) and I have
had one road service call in the last 20 years.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 11:17:29 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:33:07 -0700 (PDT), bob haller
wrote:

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy one van....

wait time on hold both times overa hour and a half..... finally got my questions answered by stopping by one of their stores for lack of a better term. one time they never answered when i finally gave up .


There you go. I have had AAA since 1967 and it never occurred to me to
call them about a title issue.

That was my first reaction. What does AAA have to do with titles?

I have 6 family members covered under my AAA membership. I have 2 daughters away at college and 2 boy out-of-my-state. They all have older vehicles. We've always had older vehicles. I'm paying for peace of mind.

I mostly use them to get good paper maps (remember those?) and I have
had one road service call in the last 20 years.

I feel I have gotten my money's worth over the years. Mostly tows, but also some paper maps just for pre-trip reviews. My GPS and phone are my drive-time navigation tools, but I like to look for alternatives to the main routes. Sometime I program my way-points based on the AAA info so my nav tools take me on the route I want to go.

I renew the kid's memberships every year and wrap up their cards as a Christmas present.

On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 06:15:39 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I mostly use them to get good paper maps (remember those?) and I have
had one road service call in the last 20 years.

I feel I have gotten my money's worth over the years. Mostly tows, but also some paper maps just for pre-trip reviews. My GPS and phone are my drive-time navigation tools, but I like to look for alternatives to the main routes. Sometime I program my way-points based on the AAA info so my nav tools take me on the route I want to go

I have not embraced GPS/Nav yet. It is certainly not what I want on
vacation. Some of the most interesting things we have found were
because we were "lost". I prefer a paper map so we can get an overview
of where we are and look for things we might want to see. Google Earth
is the new technology we use the most. We are mostly old school using
travel books and paper maps.

Businesses change so much that if you don't buy the updates every
year, your nav is not going to be right that often. It is pretty
discouraging to drive to a place that is out of business.

wrote in message
...
On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 06:15:39 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

Businesses change so much that if you don't buy the updates every
year, your nav is not going to be right that often. It is pretty
discouraging to drive to a place that is out of business.

Garmin and maybes others (never looked at other GPS) have lifetime maps
updates now when you buy the GPS. I had an older Garmin that did not have
the lifetime maps. It would have cost me almost as much for the maps as it
did for a new unit,so I found a new one on line that was listed as
refurbished for about $ 115. It is warrented for 1 year and looks like it
is factory new.

I think you can update them 4 times a year for free.

I have not embraced GPS/Nav yet. It is certainly not what I want on
vacation. Some of the most interesting things we have found were
because we were "lost". I prefer a paper map so we can get an overview
of where we are and look for things we might want to see. Google Earth
is the new technology we use the most. We are mostly old school using
travel books and paper maps.

My idea of a good day is to hop on my motorcycle and ride aimlessly.
I decide arbitrarily which way to go when I hit an intersection. The
hysterical markers are worth a look too.
A sign outside Greeley, NE says it's home to about 450 friendly
folks and three old grouches.

--
Using Opera's mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 11:27:43 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 06:15:39 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I mostly use them to get good paper maps (remember those?) and I have
had one road service call in the last 20 years.

I feel I have gotten my money's worth over the years. Mostly tows, but also some paper maps just for pre-trip reviews. My GPS and phone are my drive-time navigation tools, but I like to look for alternatives to the main routes. Sometime I program my way-points based on the AAA info so my nav tools take me on the route I want to go

I have not embraced GPS/Nav yet. It is certainly not what I want on
vacation. Some of the most interesting things we have found were
because we were "lost". I prefer a paper map so we can get an overview
of where we are and look for things we might want to see. Google Earth
is the new technology we use the most. We are mostly old school using
travel books and paper maps.

Businesses change so much that if you don't buy the updates every
year, your nav is not going to be right that often. It is pretty
discouraging to drive to a place that is out of business.

That's not an issue with Google navigation on a smart phone. No updates needed. In fact, not only don't I have to worry about a business being out of business, I often don't even have to worry about them being closed for the day. For example, I just searched for a Grainger location in another state. Before even showing me the route, Google displayed the following message:

Your destination may be closed when you arrive.
Open today: 7:00AM - 5:00PM
Estimated arrival at 2:16AM

I'm guessing your paper maps can't do that. ;-)

Now, a major difference between Google Navigation and my GPS is that I can tell my GPS to avoid highways so that it will guide me on the scenic route, which I often like to do. I can't do that with Google (or at least I can't get it to do that) I plan to look for a smart phone app that has that feature. Once I have that app, I won't need my GPS anymore.

On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:43:58 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 11:27:43 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 06:15:39 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I mostly use them to get good paper maps (remember those?) and I have
had one road service call in the last 20 years.

I feel I have gotten my money's worth over the years. Mostly tows, but also some paper maps just for pre-trip reviews. My GPS and phone are my drive-time navigation tools, but I like to look for alternatives to the main routes. Sometime I program my way-points based on the AAA info so my nav tools take me on the route I want to go

I have not embraced GPS/Nav yet. It is certainly not what I want on
vacation. Some of the most interesting things we have found were
because we were "lost". I prefer a paper map so we can get an overview
of where we are and look for things we might want to see. Google Earth
is the new technology we use the most. We are mostly old school using
travel books and paper maps.

Businesses change so much that if you don't buy the updates every
year, your nav is not going to be right that often. It is pretty
discouraging to drive to a place that is out of business.

That's not an issue with Google navigation on a smart phone. No updates needed. In fact, not only don't I have to worry about a business being out of business, I often don't even have to worry about them being closed for the day. For example, I just searched for a Grainger location in another state. Before even showing me the route, Google displayed the following message:

Your destination may be closed when you arrive.
Open today: 7:00AM - 5:00PM
Estimated arrival at 2:16AM

I'm guessing your paper maps can't do that. ;-)

Now, a major difference between Google Navigation and my GPS is that I can tell my GPS to avoid highways so that it will guide me on the scenic route, which I often like to do. I can't do that with Google (or at least I can't get it to do that) I plan to look for a smart phone app that has that feature. Once I have that app, I won't need my GPS anymore.

We are not usually looking for a business on vacation. We are looking
for cool hiking trails and out of the way places that google might not
even know about. A lot of the places we go are less than stellar about
cell service too.

In rural North Carolina this was the only WiFi hot spot
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/North%20Car...Hot%20spot.jpg

and there wasn't much of anything if you were more than a mile or two
from this "office"
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/North%20Carolina/verizon.jpg

If you could manage line of sight from this mountain, your cell worked
but it was pretty hard to do in most places.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/North%20Car...20me%20now.jpg

On 9/17/2015 5:43 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 11:27:43 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 06:15:39 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I mostly use them to get good paper maps (remember those?) and I have
had one road service call in the last 20 years.

I feel I have gotten my money's worth over the years. Mostly tows, but also some paper maps just for pre-trip reviews. My GPS and phone are my drive-time navigation tools, but I like to look for alternatives to the main routes. Sometime I program my way-points based on the AAA info so my nav tools take me on the route I want to go

I have not embraced GPS/Nav yet. It is certainly not what I want on
vacation. Some of the most interesting things we have found were
because we were "lost". I prefer a paper map so we can get an overview
of where we are and look for things we might want to see. Google Earth
is the new technology we use the most. We are mostly old school using
travel books and paper maps.

Businesses change so much that if you don't buy the updates every
year, your nav is not going to be right that often. It is pretty
discouraging to drive to a place that is out of business.

That's not an issue with Google navigation on a smart phone. No updates needed. In fact, not only don't I have to worry about a business being out of business, I often don't even have to worry about them being closed for the day. For example, I just searched for a Grainger location in another state. Before even showing me the route, Google displayed the following message:

Your destination may be closed when you arrive.
Open today: 7:00AM - 5:00PM
Estimated arrival at 2:16AM

I'm guessing your paper maps can't do that. ;-)

Now, a major difference between Google Navigation and my GPS is that I can tell my GPS to avoid highways so that it will guide me on the scenic route, which I often like to do. I can't do that with Google (or at least I can't get it to do that) I plan to look for a smart phone app that has that feature. Once I have that app, I won't need my GPS anymore.

The problem with Google navigation is that it only works if you're in an
area with cellular data. No problem in metro areas, but a big problem in
more rural areas, especially if you're on the T-Mobile or Sprint
networks, but sometimes on Verizon or AT&T. too. Also, Google navigation
uses quite a lot of data.

I have the CoPilot app on my Android devices. I think it was $6 when I
bought it, now it's $10. You download maps onto your phone or tablet
(helps to have a phone with a MicroSD card since map files are large).

For $60, the cost of a 7" tablet and the app for the U.S. you have a
very nice GPS. And the $10 is per Google account so multiple devices
with the same Google account on them can use the app. They also have
maps for other countries. I bought the European maps for a trip to
Europe for a lot less than a GPS for Europe would have cost.

It lets you select non-freeways if you want.

On 9/17/2015 8:27 AM, wrote:
On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 06:15:39 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I mostly use them to get good paper maps (remember those?) and I have
had one road service call in the last 20 years.

I feel I have gotten my money's worth over the years. Mostly tows, but also some paper maps just for pre-trip reviews. My GPS and phone are my drive-time navigation tools, but I like to look for alternatives to the main routes. Sometime I program my way-points based on the AAA info so my nav tools take me on the route I want to go

I have not embraced GPS/Nav yet. It is certainly not what I want on
vacation. Some of the most interesting things we have found were
because we were "lost". I prefer a paper map so we can get an overview
of where we are and look for things we might want to see. Google Earth
is the new technology we use the most. We are mostly old school using
travel books and paper maps.

Businesses change so much that if you don't buy the updates every
year, your nav is not going to be right that often. It is pretty
discouraging to drive to a place that is out of business.

First of all, many GPS devices come with free updates so there is
nothing to buy.

Second, you can buy, for a one time charge of about $10, an app like
CoPilot for Android or iOS and it is updated frequently. I like it on a
7" or 8" tablet because the larger screen is nice but it'd be fine on a
5"-6" smart phone as well. I bought the European maps earlier this year
for a trip to England and Ireland. It was good for walking as well.
There are no data charges, the maps are stored locally on the device,
just like a stand-alone GPS.

I use a 7" Asus Memo Pad (ME170CX-A1-BK) that was $30 after a $60
rebate. Now it's $50
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9561735.
Activate the McAffee subscription with a single-use virtual credit card
so you're never charged for the subscription.

Beware that the WiFi-only iPads don't have a GPS chip, but most
name-brand Android WiFi-only tablets do have GPS functionality.

DerbyDad03 writes:
On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 11:17:29 PM UTC-4, wrot=
e:
On Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:33:07 -0700 (PDT), bob haller
wrote:
=20
I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by thei=
r service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacin=
gmy one van....

wait time on hold both times overa hour and a half..... finally got my q=
uestions answered by stopping by one of their stores for lack of a better t=
erm. one time they never answered when i finally gave up .

=20
There you go. I have had AAA since 1967 and it never occurred to me to
call them about a title issue.=20

That was my first reaction. What does AAA have to do with titles?

The california AAA offices were sort of extensions of the state DMV; various
tasks could be done at AAA without waiting in line at the DMV (e.g.
registration of new vehicles, plate renewals, vanity plates, release of
liability, etc.)

On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 6:33:11 PM UTC-4, bob haller wrote:
I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy one van....


Teach me something:

What title related questions did you go to AAA with?

I've been a member for decades and never once considered asking them a title related question. Please enlighten me.

AAA used to be a fast efficent way for all sorts of vehicle releated questions. a one stop shop of knowldgabe friendly people for help

AAA in pennsylvaniia changes ownership of vehicles, you can renew your drivers licenses there, tags etc. they are a extension of penn dot.

apparently thats not how most of the ****ry handles things/

thanks though i will blast them on facebook, and call the AAA radio show talking travel where they gush about how wonderful AAA is.

I will set them up with a easy to answer question, gush about how great AAA is then go for the juglar ripping them a new ass.

On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 08:45:16 -0700 (PDT), bob haller
wrote:

AAA used to be a fast efficent way for all sorts of vehicle releated questions. a one stop shop of knowldgabe friendly people for help

AAA in pennsylvaniia changes ownership of vehicles, you can renew your drivers licenses there, tags etc. they are a extension of penn dot.

apparently thats not how most of the ****ry handles things/

thanks though i will blast them on facebook, and call the AAA radio show talking travel where they gush about how wonderful AAA is.

I will set them up with a easy to answer question, gush about how great AAA is then go for the juglar ripping them a new ass.

In Florida, at least they are honest about the whole title/tag issue.
The whole thing is done at the TAX collector's office. In the end this
is all just taxes. There is no other reason for the government to
title cars.

wrote in message
...
In Florida, at least they are honest about the whole title/tag issue.
The whole thing is done at the TAX collector's office. In the end this
is all just taxes. There is no other reason for the government to
title cars.

North Carolina does it backwards now. You pay the yearly County tax on the
vehicle when you get your tag renewed. They make sure to get the tax before
you get a tag or title.

On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 08:45:16 -0700 (PDT), bob haller
wrote:

AAA used to be a fast efficent way for all sorts of vehicle releated questions. a one stop shop of knowldgabe friendly people for help

AAA in pennsylvaniia changes ownership of vehicles, you can renew your drivers licenses there, tags etc. they are a extension of penn dot.

apparently thats not how most of the ****ry handles things/


DMV does all that.

thanks though i will blast them on facebook, and call the AAA radio show talking travel where they gush about how wonderful AAA is.

I will set them up with a easy to answer question, gush about how great AAA is then go for the juglar ripping them a new ass.

Bring 'em to their knees. Make them moan, groan and gnash their teeth.
Teach them to be humble LOL

Why didn't you call or talk to DMV triple AAA don't have anything to do
with "Titles"

"bob haller" wrote in message
...

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their
service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy
one van....

wait time on hold both times overa hour and a half..... finally got my
questions answered by stopping by one of their stores for lack of a better
term. one time they never answered when i finally gave up .

I complained loudly about the rotten service. was told all the AAAsare now
owned and managed from california. where they consolidated all their
telephone call centers. unfortunately they arent able to answer calls from
pennsylvania in a timely fashion. they are attempting to move their phone
help back to pennsylvania

what is wrong with america? service is non existent, college grads in suits
give the orders how to cut costs while they enjoy all the perks.

in triple aaas case a rep promised me someone would call me back.

not only did they never call me back they tell me theres no way to
complain.....

no address no phone number andmany levels you cant get thru to complain

tony944 posted for all of us...



Why didn't you call or talk to DMV triple AAA don't have anything to do
with "Titles"

"bob haller" wrote in message
...

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their
service etc till now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy
one van....

wait time on hold both times overa hour and a half..... finally got my
questions answered by stopping by one of their stores for lack of a better
term. one time they never answered when i finally gave up .

I complained loudly about the rotten service. was told all the AAAsare now
owned and managed from california. where they consolidated all their
telephone call centers. unfortunately they arent able to answer calls from
pennsylvania in a timely fashion. they are attempting to move their phone
help back to pennsylvania

what is wrong with america? service is non existent, college grads in suits
give the orders how to cut costs while they enjoy all the perks.

in triple aaas case a rep promised me someone would call me back.

not only did they never call me back they tell me theres no way to
complain.....

no address no phone number andmany levels you cant get thru to complain

Yes they do. That WAS one of the "services", overnight to DMV.
Sadly I have to agree with Bob on this issue.

Wife had her drivers license stolen (later found) AAA couldn't/wouldn't do
any thing unless we went to an office about 50 miles away. Bleep that. Went
to tag service and out 15 minutes later. Received with 7 days from DMV.
Licenses are digital so the state must print them.

Went to sell a car; bleep can't find title. AAA person was out of office
three times. Never returned calls. Went to same title place and had new
title in several days. They have to check encumbrances.

Paid slightly more than AAA but got the service.

We even know the office manager and complained but got no satisfaction.

Keep it only for the road service aspect, I used to do AAA road service in
an earlier time and obligated to provide service. They used to stick up for
their customers because one time I miscalculated the tow mileage and had to
give the overage back-only fair...

Now they only want to be a travel agent and sell cruises.
--
Tekkie

bob haller wrote in news:d7cb4e0a-c03e-42f9-aac2-
:

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their service etc till
now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy one van....

Would've made a lot more sense to call your local Dept. of Motor Vehicles branch...

On 9/17/2015 3:48 PM, Doug Miller wrote:
bob haller wrote in news:d7cb4e0a-c03e-42f9-aac2-
:

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their service etc till
now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy one van....

Would've made a lot more sense to call your local Dept. of Motor Vehicles branch...

ROTFLMAO! Perhaps *your* DMV is more "consumer friendly" than most of
those that I've dealt with over the last several decades! I'd imagine
a long wait on the phone -- followed by a dubious answer (with no
"guarantee" of accuracy... sort of like calling the IRS!)

On Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 8:20:56 PM UTC-4, Don Y wrote:
On 9/17/2015 3:48 PM, Doug Miller wrote:
bob haller wrote in news:d7cb4e0a-c03e-42f9-aac2-
:

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by their service etc till
now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about replacingmy one van....

Would've made a lot more sense to call your local Dept. of Motor Vehicles branch...

ROTFLMAO! Perhaps *your* DMV is more "consumer friendly" than most of
those that I've dealt with over the last several decades! I'd imagine
a long wait on the phone -- followed by a dubious answer (with no
"guarantee" of accuracy... sort of like calling the IRS!)

My local DMV office is very "consumer friendly" and my recent title/registration questions asked via the main DMV phone number for my region were answered accurately and efficiently. Granted, getting through was tough at times. The hold times weren't long because you simply are told to call back later. Actually, that's even more frustrating, because I can sit in my office and work while on hold, hanging up whenever I want. It's more annoying to have to keep calling back.

However, the local office is pretty good. I have registered 2 used vehicles in the past few months. In each case, there was a problem with the paperwork (sort of my fault). In one case I had to get a different Bill Of Sale which was going to take me a few hours. The nice lady at the counter gave me a rain check so that I wouldn't have to wait on the main line once I had the paperwork. I could get a window number immediately. The second time I needed a different insurance card, but my agent's office didn't open for another 20 minutes. The (different) nice lady gave me the fax number of that DMV office, told me to call my agent and have her fax it to the DMV and then come right back to her window, "don't wait in any lines." I was in and out in a matter of minutes, even though the line was out of the door.

I grew up in NYC, so I know what a brutal DMV experience feels like. Unfriendly, unhelpful employees, long customer lines, hot crowded offices. It's not like that where I live now.

On 9/17/2015 6:06 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 8:20:56 PM UTC-4, Don Y wrote:
On 9/17/2015 3:48 PM, Doug Miller wrote:
bob haller wrote in news:d7cb4e0a-c03e-42f9-aac2-
:

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by
their service etc till
now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about
replacingmy one van....

Would've made a lot more sense to call your local Dept. of Motor
Vehicles branch...

ROTFLMAO! Perhaps *your* DMV is more "consumer friendly" than most of
those that I've dealt with over the last several decades! I'd imagine a
long wait on the phone -- followed by a dubious answer (with no
"guarantee" of accuracy... sort of like calling the IRS!)

My local DMV office is very "consumer friendly" and my recent
title/registration questions asked via the main DMV phone number for my
region were answered accurately and efficiently. Granted, getting through
was tough at times. The hold times weren't long because you simply are told
to call back later. Actually, that's even more frustrating, because I can
sit in my office and work while on hold, hanging up whenever I want. It's
more annoying to have to keep calling back.

However, the local office is pretty good. I have registered 2 used vehicles
in the past few months. In each case, there was a problem with the paperwork
(sort of my fault). In one case I had to get a different Bill Of Sale which
was going to take me a few hours. The nice lady at the counter gave me a
rain check so that I wouldn't have to wait on the main line once I had the
paperwork. I could get a window number immediately. The second time I needed
a different insurance card, but my agent's office didn't open for another 20
minutes. The (different) nice lady gave me the fax number of that DMV
office, told me to call my agent and have her fax it to the DMV and then
come right back to her window, "don't wait in any lines." I was in and out
in a matter of minutes, even though the line was out of the door.

I grew up in NYC, so I know what a brutal DMV experience feels like.
Unfriendly, unhelpful employees, long customer lines, hot crowded offices.
It's not like that where I live now.

I've only had to visit the local DMV (here) twice (at least, for *my*
needs) in the past ~20+ years. Once for a DL, and again for a DL
renewal (I think when the Feds instituted the new DL requirements;
I recall having another photo taken, etc.).

Unlike other places I've lived (New England, Midwest and West), a DL
is issued "until you're 65" -- none of this renew every 4 years sort of
crap. And, other places seemed to like to zing you with tehnicalities:
"Oh, you forgot to bring your birth certificate? Gee, you'll have to
come back another time..." "Hmmm, this birth certificate isn't
*notarized*. You'll have to fetch one that *is*..."

When SWMBO moved, she contacted DMV regarding getting a new license with
her updated address: "Oh, sweetie, just write your new address on a
slip of paper and attach it to your DL with a paper clip..."

[Yikes!]

The last two vehicle purchases had titling all handled by the dealer
so we just waited for a title to appear in the post. We kept the
plates (transferred) so didn't even have to pick those up.

OTOH, I've had friends who've been spontaneously notified that they
must have new photos taken (!) and had to sit through the process.

The local office is probably the size of a football field. With a
"split" in the center ("50 yd line"). You roll the dice when you
decide where to sit -- you may be serviced by staff on either side
based (apparently) on some random criteria (e.g., whoever is FREE
when it's your turn).

There appears to be some specialization involved among the staff as
you will often see folks who arrived *after* you getting serviced long
*before* you! Observers failing to realize this would undoubtedly
sense some "unfairness" in the system! They try to push folks to their
web portal -- though we're not keen about doing many things "on-line".
You never know *where* your packets are being routed/processed.

[E.g., our local library is serviced by a firm in *Canada*! What
privacy guarantees are *they* required to observe?]

As with most bureaucracies, it's not something I'd want to deal with
unless I absolutely *had* to!

On 2015-09-18, Don Y wrote:
OTOH, I've had friends who've been spontaneously notified that they
must have new photos taken (!) and had to sit through the process.

It seems that most if not all states are amassing huge databases of facial
recognition data. Real police-state stuff. To do this they need high-res
digital photos. (Of course they assure us the data won't be misused,
will be protected, etc. Maybe they have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell
us as well.)

--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger Blake (Change "invalid" to "com" for email. Google Groups killfiled.)

NSA sedition and treason -- http://www.DeathToNSAthugs.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Friday, September 18, 2015 at 12:28:01 AM UTC-4, Don Y wrote:
On 9/17/2015 6:06 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 8:20:56 PM UTC-4, Don Y wrote:
On 9/17/2015 3:48 PM, Doug Miller wrote:
bob haller wrote in news:d7cb4e0a-c03e-42f9-aac2-
:

I have been a AAA memberfor 40 years. I have always been pleased by
their service etc till
now..........

i called them twice about some title issues when thinking about
replacingmy one van....

Would've made a lot more sense to call your local Dept. of Motor
Vehicles branch...

ROTFLMAO! Perhaps *your* DMV is more "consumer friendly" than most of
those that I've dealt with over the last several decades! I'd imagine a
long wait on the phone -- followed by a dubious answer (with no
"guarantee" of accuracy... sort of like calling the IRS!)

My local DMV office is very "consumer friendly" and my recent
title/registration questions asked via the main DMV phone number for my
region were answered accurately and efficiently. Granted, getting through
was tough at times. The hold times weren't long because you simply are told
to call back later. Actually, that's even more frustrating, because I can
sit in my office and work while on hold, hanging up whenever I want. It's
more annoying to have to keep calling back.

However, the local office is pretty good. I have registered 2 used vehicles
in the past few months. In each case, there was a problem with the paperwork
(sort of my fault). In one case I had to get a different Bill Of Sale which
was going to take me a few hours. The nice lady at the counter gave me a
rain check so that I wouldn't have to wait on the main line once I had the
paperwork. I could get a window number immediately. The second time I needed
a different insurance card, but my agent's office didn't open for another 20
minutes. The (different) nice lady gave me the fax number of that DMV
office, told me to call my agent and have her fax it to the DMV and then
come right back to her window, "don't wait in any lines." I was in and out
in a matter of minutes, even though the line was out of the door.

I grew up in NYC, so I know what a brutal DMV experience feels like.
Unfriendly, unhelpful employees, long customer lines, hot crowded offices.
It's not like that where I live now.

I've only had to visit the local DMV (here) twice (at least, for *my*
needs) in the past ~20+ years. Once for a DL, and again for a DL
renewal (I think when the Feds instituted the new DL requirements;
I recall having another photo taken, etc.).

Unlike other places I've lived (New England, Midwest and West), a DL
is issued "until you're 65" -- none of this renew every 4 years sort of
crap. And, other places seemed to like to zing you with tehnicalities:
"Oh, you forgot to bring your birth certificate? Gee, you'll have to
come back another time..." "Hmmm, this birth certificate isn't
*notarized*. You'll have to fetch one that *is*..."

When SWMBO moved, she contacted DMV regarding getting a new license with
her updated address: "Oh, sweetie, just write your new address on a
slip of paper and attach it to your DL with a paper clip..."

[Yikes!]

The last two vehicle purchases had titling all handled by the dealer
so we just waited for a title to appear in the post. We kept the
plates (transferred) so didn't even have to pick those up.

I do all of my registration and license matters on-line, whenever possible. A used vehicle purchased from a dealer was handled by the dealer. The 2 recent private sale purchases had to be handled in person.


OTOH, I've had friends who've been spontaneously notified that they
must have new photos taken (!) and had to sit through the process.

The local office is probably the size of a football field. With a
"split" in the center ("50 yd line"). You roll the dice when you
decide where to sit -- you may be serviced by staff on either side
based (apparently) on some random criteria (e.g., whoever is FREE
when it's your turn).


Our local office might be smaller than a football field but is still pretty large. A cool feature is they recycled a large number of church pews as seats for their customers.

There is a "reception" counter staffed by 2-3 employees. First, you wait in line to talk to one of those individuals. They handle some transactions, such as license photos, eye exams, etc. For vehicle related matters, they ask you what you need to do, they may review your documents quickly just to make sure you have the correct forms - they don't review the details - and then they give you a number. Off you go to the pews to say your prayers that the wait won't be too long. There is a "wait time clock" behind the reception counter but it is far, far from accurate. A big board announces your number and the window you should go to.

In some cases, if there is long line for the reception counter, they will call out "Anyone just turning in plates?" or "Anyone have a rain check?" These folks get a number immediately and get sent to the pews.

There appears to be some specialization involved among the staff as
you will often see folks who arrived *after* you getting serviced long
*before* you!

Yes, this appears to be the case at my DMV also. The numbering system includes "A" and "B" series. I can only assume that these letters designate certain types of transactions but I haven't gone there enough (thank God) to figure out the pattern. As far as I can tell, the "A" and "B" numbers get called up sequentially within their letter group, but you might see more than one "A" get called before the next "B" or v-v. That's what leads me to agree with the "specialization" aspect.

In any case, it does take time, it will always take time. I accept it and deal with it.

On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 21:28:08 -0700, Don Y
wrote:
Snipped

[E.g., our local library is serviced by a firm in *Canada*! What
privacy guarantees are *they* required to observe?]


Generally a LOT more privacy protection in Canada than in the US of A
As with most bureaucracies, it's not something I'd want to deal with
unless I absolutely *had* to!