If I were American, I'd vote for you as President. Hands down!

YOU GO GIRL!!! That's a great plan and Triple A sucks for treating you like that.

I love a woman with a plan. I may have to use that one myself! Safe travels.

what bastards!

Two words: Farmers Insurance.

A little story: Those heartless/brainless fuckers at AAA did this to my mother after 30-odd years of being insured with them while married. My parents divorce and, suddenly, it's like they never knew her... even though she had been the one writing them cheques for 30-odd years.

Moral of story: We hate AAA.

*hugs*

Oh, and there's a limit to how many times in a year AAA will come out and help you. Isn't that nice of them?

Bastards.

You are an inspiration.

Better check into their Policy On How Many Consecutive Tows They Will Give In a Very Short Period Of Time. Of course you already know to call under an assumed name.

yeah, what kristen said!! make sure!!

They have a lot of nerve.

AAA should DIE. I no longer have a car, so I no longer have AAA, but I imagine they might do the same thing to me if I try to sign up again (even though I was a member for like 10 years)? Screw them. Good plan by the way!

A woman with a plan, look out!

I've paid for AAA for more years than I like admit and never got my money's worth out of them. I know if I quit the membership I would need them immediately.

Laurie, I'm praying for a flock of seagulls with intestinal distress to be flying over that heartless AAA person as she heads out to her car at the end of the day. How stupid can they be? They suck. But you rock.

Call these people and tell them the story. I gotta believe that they'll have something that will help you out.

http://www.betterworldclub.com/

I don't have a membership here OR at Triple-A-ho because I can't afford one yet after my similarly deformed X got me to pay for all the credit card bills...not to mention his life/auto insurance and his cell phone for the 2 years we've been separated.

Of course, maybe this comment is too late and you've already left town. In which case, I hope you make it back because your blog brightens my day!

Sorry to tell you this, but AAA has recently changed their rules... only 1 tow per breakdown. :( Ask me how I know this?

AAA sucks... have a great weekend with Grandma Purl.

CAA isn't much better - they left me at the side of the highway in the middle of nowhere with a flat because I couldn't find my updated card in my wallet before my cell phone battery died, despite my having been a member for three years. Luckily a very nice policeman happened to stop and rescue me and change my tire.

Better than the crummy various "AA" people. Heh.

Bring it, girlfriend. ;-)

Triple A Blows! I live in the OC, just call me & I'll be your schauffer! (sp?) I swear I'm not crazy, honest.. :)

good advice: for all of $4 a YEAR i have towing on my auto insurance- prudential. when i need a tow, i pay, and they reimburse me up to $50. check with your car ins, they're prolly nicer than AAA. and better looking.

bad advice: if you break down, call AA. i know they'll understand, esp. if you've lost the cap to the wine bottle.

Your ex-husband is an ASSHOLE. Ditto for AAA. Sorry for the loud CAPITAL LETTER CURSING, but it's true. You are too good for both of 'em.

I dropped my triple A about a year ago. Heartless bastards. Oops. Sorry for the language but you did say "pissed" and my students informed me today that that is a bad word. Damn little rugrats. Most car insurance companies offer roadside service as an option to add to your policy. I'd check into that if I were you.

Amen! These California women have no idea what hit them when a Southern woman gets mad :-)

That full-scale map of Southern California that you're going to need? You can get that for free at AAA!!!! How ironic would that be?

You used the F-word. I think you're getting to the end of the rope. This is a good place to be.
May the force be with you!

And I think it's only in SoCal that 3A does that, because I remember the same thing happening to me, but when I moved back to IL, there was no problem.
It's a brilliant plan. I like it.
So, I seriously watched 9 hours of Grey's Anatomy today...Seriously.

If you put your payment into a separate bank account instead of into AAA fathomless coffers, you would be able to pay for a tow with your own money. You would get faster service and most tow companies will bring you gas and help out with minor repairs in exchange for immediate payment.
Of course, if you are like us, the separate bank account is too accessible and there is never any money in it. In which case, try a different company.

If'n I see 'em, I'll dig my steel-toe boot into a shin!

Can you go corporate? I mean, does AAA have a corporate office? I'd write me one heated, but polite and to the point letter. I hate injustice. Actually, I hate AAA. We have them too and they have never done us one iota of good.

Dorothy... it's the principle of it all, you know? Why should a woman lose her built-up years of membershipness because she gets a divorce? Is it fair?

They're a business, after all. Don't they want my extra money? Don't they think I am eligible for this service even though I am now divorced and paying a separate fee?

Does divorce = start all over with everything everything? Even what you already earned?

Anyway. My folks are worried that my car will catch on fire and I'll be alone in Drive By City with no help, so they want me to wait until my mom is back in town. It's icky, all of it. And at some point it just made me feel bad and stigmatized all over again for being the dreaded "D" word, which as we all know is not such a stigma after all, just a description.

Lead the charge, Laurie. We post-marriage girls need to stand up for our rights.

From one Southern sistah to another...you tow girl!

Heaven help the poor idiots, for they shall not forget what happens when they inflict the wrath of a southern lady.

I don't think there's much I enjoy more than a solid rant against a wrong-headed commercial or government entity. Bring it ON.

Laurie, you rock! I've been reading fro ever so long, but I think this is my first comment. I seriously laugh every day.

hell hath no fury crazy aunt purl pissed off and in an idignant rage.....or something like that....

well at least you have a plan.
thats good.

Heck, when I got divorced (11 years ago) I wasn't even able to get car insurance in my name with the same insurance company. They told me that even though my credit was good and I hadn't had an accident, being "a divorced woman" was too big a risk. I asked if they renewed my ex and they had. Apparently, gender was a factor. Can you imagine? I felt like I had fallen into the 1950's or something. Don't stop now, Laurie. You shouldn't have to start all over.

ah that's a REally good plan. screw AAA

WOOOOOOORRRRD!!!!! I HEARBY NOMINATE YOU for president of the "Divorced Southern Womens Business Alliance. (OK I just made it up, but you would be PERFECT!)Go forth and represent!!!!!!

YOU GO GALLIE! Stick it to the man! I mean, you know.

Laurie, I think your plan is genius, just genius. It will be a great way to screw them, seeing as how they are trying to screw you over.

Laurie, I think you should post us all a form email here, and then give us the Triple F'ing A email address and we could all inundate them with our outrage over this situation!!!

I have auto service, albeit limited, through Cingular. Only $3 a month. Granted you only get about 3 calls a year but they are very nice.

Honey, it's been that kind of week. I just tapped into a wine IV of my own, though why I waited 'til 9:30 at night is beyond me ('cause it's sweeter when the kid's in bed, that's why).

A mini road trip may be just what you need! Wishing you good carma (sic) and if you wanna keep on drivin' all the way to Tucson, give me a shout. The cabernet will be flowing.

Best to your gran.

UNbelievable. Really. (Hoped it helped some to vent about it.)

Laurie, next time rather than getting all upset, remember that you have POWER. You are not a small innocent little girl. You have a popular blog that many other strong women read. A simple addition of this to your blog post might help when it is spidered by Google: "the Automobile Association of Southern California (AAASC) is UNFAIR TO WOMAN CUSTOMERS, a story of interest to the LOS ANGELES TIMES, the NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN, SENATOR BARBARA BOXER, and the many, many FEMALE CUSTOMERS OF THE AAA! This should help get the ball rolling.

Yeah...what they said. Plus,make certain you file a complaint online with the BBB in your area. www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/General/Home.aspx
Sometimes this actually works to get a situation resolved, and it's easy enough to do. At the very least it will show up as a complaint against them whenever someone looks up their corporation. Good luck!

Cookie is right - Farmers Insurance has gotten someone to unlock my car (with the keys inside thanks), towed my car to my dealership and then again to Sears Auto .. no cost, all included with insurance. Plus they helped out my son all the way across the country even tho he is on our policy here in CA. Forget AAA. They gouge their customers. No service whatsoever. I'm done with them. Even the maps aren't worth it.

I used to work for AAA in Colorado and honestly despise and loathe them. I am a AAA member, however, because I never know when I'll need them to unlock my truck, start it, tow it, change my tire (I don't do that myself if I don't have to get dirty), or get gas for me when I run out accidentally. It ALWAYS pays for itself when I use the discounts on the Show Your Card and Save program. 30% off at LensCrafters, a discount at Souplantation, Joe's Crab Shack, lots of stuff. Plus the tourbooks and maps come in handy especially when family visits and I can shove a book and a map in their face and get myself off the tourguide hook.
So, while AAA does, in fact, suck...the trick to having them work for you is to use them more than they use you. If you get mad at them, go into the office and tell them you want a copy of every map and every tourbook they have. And they have to give them to you. It will take them quite some time to round it all up too. And once you have them, drive them over to a recycling bin and drop them off. You'll feel divine.

They must get their customer service training from the IRS.

When you're finished screwing AAA, you may want to consider switching automobile clubs. I can't vouch for this one at all, but it was recommended by The Ideal Bite (a fun online newsletter about ecofriendly products and tips for ecofriendly living). They do all sorts of ecofriendly things, like carbon-offsetting, apparently. And, the prices seem pretty reasonable. Check it out, if you're interested...

http://www.betterworldclub.com/partners/ideal-promo.htm?join_code=IDEA2121

When you're finished screwing AAA, you may want to consider switching automobile clubs. I can't vouch for this one at all, but it was recommended by The Ideal Bite (a fun online newsletter about ecofriendly products and tips for ecofriendly living). They do all sorts of ecofriendly things, like carbon-offsetting and discounts on hybrid car rentals, apparently. And, the prices seem pretty reasonable. Check it out, if you're interested...

No, I swear I don't work for them. I don't even live in the US anymore, so I couldn't even use them if I wanted to.

http://www.betterworldclub.com/partners/ideal-promo.htm?join_code=IDEA2121

Your tow plan is all well and good but why don't you unleash the weapon we all know and love: the Soba?

What possible business reason could be behind this rule? It's idiotic. American Family Insurance gives me towing for like $10 a year. No I can't go get maps and junk from them. No they don't provide me with a handy dandy Old Person AAA sticker that I would never stick on my car anyway. And they won't plan my road trip for me but that's what maps on the internet are for.

Ooooooh. I have had Bad Experiences with AAA. Hate 'em, but can't live without 'em, you know? I think your plan is ingenious and sneaky. Woe to AAA if they have another run-in with you!

Hope you get it sorted out soon. You should write to Arnie - as you're being discriminated against!!

Triple A sucks. Plain and simple. We've had problems in the past with them that lead us to the question "Why are we paying for this shit?"

Fiendish!
But maybe you would want to consider renting a car for the w/e if you're worried about your Jeep? The rental company probably has some sort of towing thing you can get with insurance, if you get their plan.

This is one of those "little" ways that women get screwed by divorce (in addition to the big ways). btdt. It is so unfair. But I do believe that what goes around, comes around--if not with big automobile agencies, at least with individuals. Take that, ex! (Yours and mine)

I also have towing on my car insurance. Who needs AAA? And getting 50some women to hate them with you is great revenge!!

Here are some ideas for you.....
1. start heading the Spited Divorced Women Against AAA write in program, because clearly there are more of you ladies than you thought, flood there HQ with letters of how upset you are at this outrage. While you are flooding their HQ, flood the Better Business Bureau as well- what the hell do they exist for if not to Better Businesses?
2. Go in to the AAA office once a week and request a copy of all of their maps as per Frank's suggestion. Use it as wrapping paper for gifts, then when you have enough, do it for someone else you know, and so on. If truly spiteful go in multiple times a week. If truly truly truly spiteful, have yourself and every divorced AAA spited woman you know do this, gather in their parking lot on a Sunday night or whatever, and plaster their parking lot with the maps, the colorful ones to spell out "Stop Screwing Divorced Women AAA!" then call Action News or whatever.
3. Stage a Knit In at their office. If some poor AAA employee who knits sees you knitting, she will start getting the junkie urges and may feel more inclined to do something about her crap company. While Knitting In, call Action News
4. Pretty much whatever you do, call Action News or whatever thing you might have where reporters report on bad products, bad service, little league injustice, what-have-you. Action News rarely gets called enough, they be full of spitfire if you get them on this. The longer it takes, the more that reporter gets to report it.... you never know she may be a Spited By AAA Divorcee` too.

I had the same experience with AAA after my divorce. I used the word *discrimination* in my conversation, and then they were as nice as pie. Key lime pie.

A plague on all organizations staffed by rut-lovers and trainees. This is the terminology of a friend of mine who worked briefly for the IRS, and who explained that the first thing you learn is the rut is your friend, never leave the rut, never question the rut, you see nothing, you know nothing outside the rut. Anyone not appreciating this view of life never gets beyond trainee.

Anyway. That is totally awful. I totally sympathize. Bloody rut-lovers. As for Mr. X, I watched an episode of Dr. Who last night wherein people were afflicted with literally every possible disease.

Never had the service. Now I am glad I've thrown all those AAA applications in the trash. Bastards! How dare they discriminate and not have some sort of rule that covers this type of situation. People divorce everyday and they need to please their paying customers. What the Fuck? I don't get it! Why wouldn't they want to help their customers?
I am so proud of you that you stood up and said something. It just isn't right. I just wish you could have made your trip to see Grandma as planned. {{HUGS}}

Ha, you have just proven...why the AAA is in MY NAME and not his! Actually, our lease is in my name, our utilities are in my name, the car is in my name and the credit card is my name first! Hahahahaha....oh, by the way...the consecutive towing thing..doesn't work. Tried it already. However, they will unlock your car when you lock your keys in it seven times in one day. They actually applauded when I got a soft top Jeep.

You go girl and F*#K Triple A.

That's the spirit! (And that's why I have bank accounts in MY name only...and NO Triple A coverage! *g*)

OH! Can I tell you our AAAsss experience this year?

Our car broke down while my husband was at work, 23 miles from home. No problem, we paid them like 90 dollars this year for upgraded towing. We're all set. We have a hundred miles of towing.

Called for a tow and they say, You have upgraded towing, that's fifteen miles."

FIFTEEN MILES? Are you freeking kidding me? I paid you 90 dollars for the upgrade, etc etc.

Their response: Well, you are upgraded from the five miles of towing you get with regular membership!

YES people, check the fine print. Don't know how it is where ya'll live, but in the big Mitten state, you get FIVE miles of towing with your 45 dollar membership and 40 more to add your spouse.

Here was my big issue with that. when I joined AAA about 10 years ago, it was 25-50 miles of towing. I kept renewing, not knowing that as they were charging me more, they were vowing to tow me less. Meaning, that when we finally NEEDED a tow 10 years later, that after paying them hundreds of dollars they were basically willing to tow us to the corner.

When I asked, then, exactly what I had paid for in my upgrade if not the 100 mile towing package, the woman said, "You paid for 10 extra miles of towing, ma'am."

"But I was told I would get 100!"

"That's if you get the RV upgrade package."

I blink, several times.

"I do not own an RV, why the hell would I buy the package marked RV towing upgrade if I am renewing for my ford Crown Vic and have clearly checked the box that SAID "Upgrade to 100 mile towing package?!"

"I'm sorry, that's the way it is."

I hung up, swore like a drunken sailor, and then called my car ins. people and got their towing rider. AAA renewal next year? Bloody unlikely!!!

Someone needs to start a blog purely for AAA nightmares. Hmm...maybe I shall...

Be safe on your trip, dear, and do not count on AAA to tow you farther than they could throw you.

Ro

p.s. Do you know that when my buick died, the one I got in my divorce with 98,000 miles on it while my parents gave my ex a brand new company car? wait, make that two brand new company cars, he totaled the first one within a month, but I digress...it made it to 142000 miles and finally died. When I called AAA to have it towed literally 2 miles to the scrap yard, they WOULD not tow it. They will only tow a vehicle to get repaired, not for final resting place. What good are they?

YOU ROCK, Girl! And I like Amanda's suggestion A LOT! Post a form letter & let OUR fingers do they walking for you! They want to mess with ONE woman? Fine. When they TRY, we've gotta to have each other's backs. And they DO NOT want to jack with a whole BUNCH of us! LOOK OUT, Triple A - you just upset a beehive filled with nothing BUT Queen Bees!

I think it was 1990. Friend Maggie and I drove her VW bus from upstate NY to rural NC (outside of Asheville, high in dem hills). Did I mention Maggie had just rebuilt that motor to that 1972 bus? You can guess what happened. Somewhere around the border of TN adn NC the bus broke down and we called AAA (Maggie had gold). We got out tow to a VW dealer where the mechanics gathered around the bus, surrounded by shiny new Jettas and Foxes, talked of never seeing something so o-wold.
So another call to TripA and this time we were towed over 100 miles by a Tennessean who had to stop halfway for some pushwater. So we rode in his rollback through roads that got smaller and smaller, with a driver who got crankier and crankier, and asked repeatedly, "How much further?" when we were finally unceremoniously dumped at the end of a dirt road where our friends lived a mile away.

Short story: this is entirely possible and good luck on your trip. May grape water prevail.

I actually had a nice experience with Triple A the other day, but this happened after a man-creature put gas in my diesel Golf.

In any situation, my strategy upon the first "I'm sorry we can't do that" is to request that the call be recorded for reference. Then I ask the question again, and if I get another "I am sorry we can't do that," then I ask to speak to a supervisor, and if they say no, I work my way up the line, reminding each one that the call is being recorded. This is often very effective.

I adore your blog in a pure form of adoration that only a fellow Southerner can achieve.

I hope you don't break down in the first place! Don't rely on these lame-a$$es and their little scams. Before you go on a long trip, always get an oil-change or a tune-up so you can trust your car. I know how it is though, the last time I drove to Monterey from SF, my transmission broke (on a 4 year old car), so I haven't really wanted to drive even half that far again. I don't have AAA either, but I'll only do that trip after I've had the car serviced. Good luck and best wishes to your granny!!!

Damn them all to hell!!! Can we talk about cell phone contracts now???

Gaaakk. I have learned from long hard experience that AAA does not automatically transfer your membership, either. We moved 10 times in 12 years (once overseas, which I guess doesn't count) and in preparation for the moves I have always asked the branch in the town I'm leaving to transfer me to the branch in the town I'm moving to. "I'm sorry, I can't do that." Frig. How hard is it? There is an internet. Why aren't they hooked up to each other? But, since we move around a lot and family always wants to come see where we've landed, those maps and books HAVE come in mighty handy.

Fuckers!! I hope they get the nasty crotch itch. o.0

Good Luck!! Be safe!!

I have had AAA for 13 years, (ever since my divorce) never made a claim. My 16 year old daughter was in a minor accident and they cancelled me....

I had just bought both my daughters their own AAA memberships for safety.

Won't be renewing all three memberships next year.

AAA SUCKS!!!

Nice plan!!!

I know people with Better World membership and they swear by it. They'll even come pick you up if you're out riding your bicycle and it breaks. Amazing.

You go Purl!

When I was married, which seems to have been another lifetime ago, I kept my own name. My X and I talked to AAA about car insurance, and the saleswoman informed me that they couldn't sell insurance to us because we didn't have matching last names. She then insisted that I change my name. Just like it was actually any of her business.

I like what Neil said--Involve the media. I always had the best luck when I could say those magic words, "you don't want to give me bad service because I work in the media, and TRUST ME, I will make a big deal out of this--I've got nothing better to do."

Also, drop the "D Bomb"--discrimination. Everybody is afraid of that word.

Oh, and, as I have said to so many of my girlfriends in the past: "They are soooo not worth it--drop them"

You want to get the AAA love? Be the good Southern girl and play hard to get.

I cancelled about three years ago after I got lackluster roadside assistance, I get an offer to re-join at their premium level almost every month. Want my junk mail?

Girl, if the car dies, just use your charm into suckering someone to help you out. Turn on the accent and the smile- it works- trust me.

Back when my mom was the assist. principal of San Fernando High school, she used to brave the long commute (from Whittier) in her trusty Honda Accord. While one day, the battery died while she was at school (And this was before the era of cell phones so she couldn't track down my dad). Well the school was pretty empty because she had stayed late, so her only hope for help was a group of homeboys loitering in the parking lot. So she went over to them, smiled and asked for their help- immediatly the homies diagnosed the problem, one went to get his other homie who owned a garage, and returned with a tow truck. My mom got towed to the garage, where the group of homies took her (in their lowrider no less- apparently a very nice lowrider, because I remember my mom being very impressed by the lowrider) and they waited with her while a new battery was put in, and then they saw her off. To this day my mom remebers her "group of sweet cholos that helped her out so nicely."

Somtimes much needed help comes from unexpected places...

Yes, divorce=start over with everything, even what you earned already. It bites ass, for sure. AAA is not the best - get another service, and complain, complain, complain until these people all understand that this behavior is not acceptable, and that they are turning away people with money in their hands. Next time, and there will be a next time for someone as charming and lovely as you, make sure you keep the bare bones of your life in your own name. If you're fortunate you will never have to start over, but it always put you in a position of strength and confidence to know you don't have to take any crap ever again.

AAA is like the mystical extended warranty all the computer & appliance stores want to sell you: a waste of friggin' money.

With decent car insurance you don't need AAA. I have State Farm (I don't work for them or their advertisers!) and it doesn't matter if I'm clear on the other side of the country, they will have my locks popped or have my car towed to a repair place of my choosing & provide me a rental car. Also, I never have to deal with the other driver's insurance company in case of an accident. They do what's called "service first" -- they fix my car while they're still fighting with the other company. They did almost $5000 worth of work on my truck when I got T-boned. This only bites you if you actually were at fault, 'cause then you have to pay them back. Never been my fault, though.

I hope you do this and I hope you document it in photographs!!!

lol! you're a genius. :)

My AAA customer service experience: some years ago, after being a member about 10 years, I called them to see if I could upgrade to a family membership with my same-sex partner of 7 years. The answer, almost-of-course, was no. My big issue was that the person on the phone acted like she was offended I even asked. Grrr.

You Go Girl!!!
You tell them where to go and not come back!
they truly suck.
a lot.
hope your weekend went well. can't wait to hear about it. :o) drink some wine for me...

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What a BLEEPIN' BLEEPHOLE. If that was me, I would have inflicted some SERIOUS JERSEY GIRL on her. Fer realz! How stupid of them. You're telling them you'll pay them more and they won't accept that? What kind of business is THAT? One that wants to be broke. Reminds me of the Sears, K-Marts, and Radio Shacks of the world. Sheer stupidity.

First of all, my ex-husband did the SAME thing to me! Strolled into the room shortly before he moved out and announced he had canceled all the utilities and I had better call them all and sign up for them again in my own name because they were all going off in a week!

One of the utilities was going to charge me the deposit fee as a "new" customer, but I started to cry over the phone and explained to the nice woman that the utility was in his name but I paid all the bills (he was in grad school) and she felt sorry for me and waived the deposit.

Luckily, I have always had credit cards in my own name, so I had an EXCELLENT credit history.

I think you should call or e-mail the LA Times, OC Register and Los Angeles Daily News business desk and suggest they do a story on how divorced women are discriminated against, with this as a prime example. Explain how these corporate fat-heads are doing themselves out of millions of dollars of business revenue by pissing off women, who as I'm sure you remember, are more likely to have college degrees now, and thus greater earning power, than MEN. (True stat - more women attend college and more women complete college than men now.)

THEN I think you should write a long letter to the head of AAA of SoCal documenting everything, using the word "discrimination" and cc'ing the above newspapers PLUS the Better Business Bureau. Toss in the fact that you ahve a blog read by an awful lot of people (90 responses per post is indicative that you have a ton of eyeballs, girlfriend) and that should learn 'em.

And Karma WILL get your ex. Six years post my divorce, he's living alone with his cat, making $20K a year - I make more than triple that, and have a wonderful fiance.

Me, personally, I have never had a bad experience with AAA - had a flat about a month ago that the first guy couldn't fix because the !%#! garage had stripped the lug nuts the last time they rotated my tires, so he called a SECOND AAA guy, who arrived with a flatbed and he towed me to a 24-hour garage to get it fixed. Had to get a ride home from the fiance, but AAA couldn't have been nicer or more helpful, and the garage - Shell at Ventura and Reseda - couldn't have been better.

Make sure to send your cancellation to AAA in writing-- they just renew without telling you if they have your card number.
Another reason to hate AAA. They lobby, on your behalf, w/o asking you, to build roads where no roads ought to be.

Sweetie - responded on the wrong day...too many bloody mary's! I would have let you use my trusty but boring Toyota Corolla to visit Granny...just ask!

love,
Holly (allwoundup)

BASTARDS!
You know, that's why I am persisting on getting my damned grad degree and making sure I have a nice fat career and paycheck besides everything else. Because while my new hubby is a darling, I had too many of my friends' moms go through the same pariah-ness when THIER husbands up and decided that the wife who had borne their children and paid their way through med/law school was too worn out and they deserved the new "Bimbo model".
WHY don't we have the fab car insurance companies JUST for women like in the UK? ("Sheila's Wheels" insurance- it EVEN pays for a year of confidential therapy in case of accident or trauma from any cause, insurance for in case you get your purse stolen out of the car..all kinds of girl-friendly stuff!!).
Women are better safty risks, and so WE deserve the better rates and treatments--and WHY shouldn't Laurie get credit for the ten years SHE paid for???

Whaaaaa?? I was just reading all kinds of stuff about Jane Austen and Regency marriage laws and customs, then I come here and see that Triple-A still practices them. :( All I can say is, [sarcasm]I wish I was married.[/sarcasm]

I love this. Because sometimes this is my life.

AAA blows, babe. They've screwed my brother and his family over TWICE in the last five years with the towing/service baloney. The latest was when my sister-in-law blew a tire on a country road with both small kids in the car, and they refused to go "assist" her because she didn't have her card ON HER PERSON at the time. It took my brother making several heated phone calls using his best military officer persona to get them to circumvent that. Then he said "screw it" and went out to get them himself. As he was changing the spare, the tow truck finally showed. Go ahead -- imagine what he told them. It's worth the amusement.

In short -- cancelcancelcancel that waste of good money membership. Liberty Mutual Insurance (not a plug, just a fact) also offers you the roadside assistance. The first question they ask when you call is "Are you in a safe place?" not "Are you prepared to jump through hoops?"

Luvyalongtime, girl. Hope you get this straightened out. Oh, and if your ex wanders out this way, I'll give him what-for with a cast iron fry pan, 'k?

From one southern belle to another you fucking rock! I've had a similar situation with the phone company.

1. Auntie, do you still have Mr X's old AAA number? The only people who ever want to know it are the people on the phone when you call AAA. I have NEVER had a tow guy ask for my card. Get your own back, girl.

2. AAA Maps? MAPS??? Are they actually allowed to refer to those useless pieces of folded colored paper with that terminology? Following my 2 year old's scribbles would do a better job of getting me to a desired destination than using AAA's so-called "maps".

Aw, girl. Sucks that you rec'd such HORRIBLE service from AAA. I sent your blog entry to my friend who works at AAA (of Oregon) and HR is going to use it to discuss how you could have been better served. May not help you at this point, but hopefully will help others. ;) Their call centers could use some training for SURE.

--Doodle

98 comments is a lot - and I should've really read through to see if this is in here - but I know you're way ahead of me on these anyway..

I'm going to bet that your auto insurance carrier has a plan that is scary similar to AAA - just without the travel "benefits" - and their plan is most likely a lot cheaper. Wouldn't it be fun to call AAA and let them know you don't need their basic service & could you please refund my money!

Purl,
I went through the SAME DAMN THING with Sears when I got divorced from the dickhead - - er, I mean - - my ex-husband (yeah yeah - - I KNOW they are one an the same!) - - I had a Sears credit card since I was 18 years old. When I got married, I had his name put on the account also. When we got divorced, THEY TOOK ME OFF THE ACCOUNT AND GAVE IT TO HIM!!! And then told me I had to be employed at the same place for a full year before I could apply for a new card! (I did not work when married to fuckhead and got a job just before moving out and proceeding with the divorce). All, this, after having been a Sears card-carrier for TEN YEARS!!!

OBVIOUSLY - - I do NOT shop at Sears, and never will again. They have lost literally THOUSANDS of dollars from me and other family members and friends who have been told about this. And to think - - they could have avoided that by just giving ME my account instead of HIM . . .

I had the same issue with divorce and Triple A. I was a member before marriage, then when I got married his family put us on the family plan (my cards showed I had been a member longer than I had been alive!). Then when we divorced at SOME point they dropped me, but no one told me anything. I didn't find out until I tried to use my card and they told me I was no longer a member. Wouldn't you think it would make alot of business sense for them to send out a letter to anyone who drops coverage to try and sign them up again?

At least you have a plan! Hope you don't need it, though...

Can those people at AAA be any more stupid??? I don't think so.

Just so you know...I am a Gemini...and I am in desparate need of a good Hor-o-scope this month! Luv ya!

Um... this is going to be an unpopular comment, but don't you ever get tired of the hallelujiah chorus?

When a hurricane is predicted in an area lots of people rush to buy insurance that they had neglected to buy until then. That's why there's a waiting period.

You wanted extended towing coverage because you thought your car was going to break down when you were far from home. You wanted to buy the coverage just before you took this trip. It's not completely different from the hurricane insurance situation, and is likely why AAA has the one-year waiting period.

I haven't had the best of luck with AAA myself (just ridiculously long hold time when I needed a jump start), and your continued membership status vis a vis your divorce was probably not handled the best way possible.

But you were trying to buy insurance before the hurricane.

Hey, the corporate office of AAA is right near me in the DC burbs. I used to work for a different company in the same building and EVERYONE at AAA wore polyester...everyone, everyday. Ugly, did you say? Fo'Sho'!!!!! I can
testify.

Oh, please tell me that you sent this blog entry (with comments) to Triple A. You make me wonder why I renew it every single year........

Go Better World. AAA exists to promote auto travel - in other words, to promote global warming. Dump 'em, and dump 'em now. We'll all appreciate it.

Hey RB -- your post made a lot of sense to me in so many ways, and no, I never get tired of the amens LOL.

I did drive down there and my Jeep was fine. No tow needed. I guess for some folks my desire to purchase more insurance against disaster could be seen as Preparing for The Hurricane. But in other ways it was just sensible: get insurance so you have peace of mind. That is why we buy insurance, to repair what may or may not break.

In my case, I was upset because I was denied something on the basis that I had not been a member for a year, yet I have paid for AAA for ten years. I was also emotional, I'll be honest, because it sucks to feel damaged goods all over again just because my marriage ended.

In the end, it may be wrong to insure against (perceived) impending doom, but isn't that the entire basis of the insurance business?

And I was only mad about the point of the thing. As a divorced woman, my participation in our joint (married) membership should not count less than his. I know, I'm bringing emotion to it, too. I'm flawed. I do tend to see these things through a filter.

In the end, my Jeep was awesome and I did not need AAA, but they could have made $160 off me had they been more willing to work with me. It would have been win-win, they get money, I get peace of mind.

Now I will just move forward knowing I have to investigate other places to spend my money, and other ways to get peace of mind. I haven't worked out my little remnant of hurt on feeling second class all over again, but I figure I'll get over it because that's part of just learning to be an adult. And sometimes I want to be five LOL.

soft and pink regions...

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

To echo other comments, AAA uses membership money to lobby against anything that might hinder new road construction (e.g., clean air initiatives, mass transit).

Although AAA has provided me and mine with adequate service, their political agenda outweighs it. When the contract runs out, it's "buh-bye"!

They suck. If you know of ANY family member in the military, try USAA. They are the BEST! Free towing for hundreds of miles...and awesome tow truck drivers named Mike who says,"Y'all ever been so drunk you couldn't walk?" when you get in the car. (He was really nice, actually, and not drunk).

Great plan you have though! And I LOVE asking for the supervisor when they're being lame. Good luck.

I just saw RB's comment. I don't know anyone who get's sick of hallelujiahs!?!?

I'm sure she's nice and all, but the big corporate jerks are the dumb ones here! It's not like you were trying to con them. It just made NO sense! Okay, obviously I am one of your newest blog stalkers.

Those fuckers!

I'm glad that you made it okay though. There's really nothing worse than being stranded because your car broke down.

Exactly the point. Customer service has just gone all to shit hasn't it. Don't exactly know when the downward slope started but it just doesn't go away.

What a PITA! If they don't upgrade you there will be a serious outrage in the CAP blog fans...we'll sign a petition! We'll send to the damn AAA president! You should at the very least send a letter to these idiots!

I FEEL your pain!!! Triple A** - is the worst!! I cancelled them and will NEVER get them again. My insurance Century 21? or 21st Century.. sorry no commercial since I can't even remember their name - but anyhow - they have FREE towing, lockout, etc service!!! And there is NO limit to how many times a year you use them!!! LOVE that!!! Also - a super great site to complain about these injustices is http://www.consumerist.com/
I love the fact that people can use their 1st ammendment right in a complaining manner on blogs and sites like the Consumerist!
Just lettin you know - from 1 knitter to another!

Most motor club memberships are not sold to more then one person. When you and your x-husband purchased a membership it was oviously purchased in his name and he added you as an additional insured for a small fee for certain services. Most clubs have a standard policy that you are only entitled to one tow service per break down. Apart from that I hate to see the general public supporting non-profit clubs that compete with private business and monoplize private industry across the world. Corporations that gain such control over industry kill jobs in this country and support slave wages paid to people providing roadside services. Most motor clubs are just marketing companies that gain XYZ's persmission to use their name and market roadside programs. For example for years GM Roadside was AAA. When you called for assistance they answered GM but in actual fact you were talking to AAA. You could call 10 different motor club programs and they are all be owned by the same marketing company.

I've been out on vacation and just getting caught up. . .

WTF? Why do businesses get SO fucking caught up in the "rules" that they forget they're dealing with individual human beings, each with their own particular needs, and sometimes the rules are just stupid? I really don't get this situation--you were willing to pay them for the upgrade. Grrrr.

Hope it all works out for you. If not, find a way to take them for the full worth of your membership, and then some. Idiots.

In my practice as a communication specialist, I have spent thousands of hours listening to stories about toxic people. As I heard story after story, I began to discover different patterns of people and companies. AAA is a very toxic company they offer something and never gave what they offer... I hate AAA...