Do you belong to an auto club? I was glad I did!
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
May 11, 2010 8:07am CST
On Saturday I was doing my weekly shopping, not the day I usually do--I try to do it on weekdays when I don't have to hear the screaming, miserable children throughout the store...it hurts to hear them cry so I try to avoid it. That's a rant for another day, though.
I loaded my groceries in the car and put the car in the corral and noticed that my right front passenger tire was flat. Arrggghh!! Well, out comes the seldom-used cell phone and the AAA card. I waited only 10 minutes for the guy and he plugged the tire for me so I don't have to go have it fixed--I used to do that myself when I was young and poor!
I was so glad I had AAA and also glad that it didn't happen to someone who wasn't prepared for such a thing, like the new father in front of me at the cash register who was so capable and loving with his 3 week old little boy.
Do you belong to an auto club? How often do you need yours? I've only used mine three times in 8 years but it's saved me a few hundred dollars!
3 responses
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
13 May 10
Yes, I'm a AAA member. We've been members for a gillion years. To the best of my recollection, I've used it three times during the time I was still working. One of those times, I was over 250 miles from home, alone, and my car started overheating. An AAA wrecker came and pulled me to the nearest Nissan garage. It was the radiator hose. I was on my way again shortly. I have not had to use the service since I retired but plan to keep my membership so long as I can still drive.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 May 10
I think the membership fee is well worth it when you need help. Several people have said they have free road service from their insurance companies but I haven't heard of a company that offers that and I don't think I'd give up my AAA! It gives me peace of mind to know I can count on them, especially these days when you don't dare accept help from strangers.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
11 May 10
These services are provided by my Auto Insurance and I have use them several times.
In fact that is the best thing that our insurance has provided us with in all the years we have been with them. And I'd like to keep it that way, no accidents.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
12 May 10
My insurance charges for their auto service so I just stay with AAA. I haven't had any accidents, either, at least none that I caused! I hope you stay accident free and don't have to use your roadside service! 
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
11 May 10
No, we don't belong to an autoclub. It's not worth it. My cell company offers roadside assistance, so does my car insurance. I just dial one of those numbers. I don't have to pay yet a third party to provide that service.
Glad AAA came through for you that quickly. I have heard some stories where people had to wait so long, a kind stranger ended up changing the tire.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
11 May 10
I used to work at an answering service that handled AAA calls and yes, it took a LONG time sometimes for the guy to get there!! That's because there were so many other calls for him to handle.
With the towing I got a few years ago, the battery jump I would've had to call a tow truck for and this tire repair, I would have spent more than the membership fees. My insurance company offers roadside assistance but at the same price as AAA. I'm a Net 10 customer, a no-frills cell service that doesn't offer it either! I'm glad you have roadside assistance, it can certainly come in handy and it's much safer sometimes than doing it yourself.
