Yesterday we packed the van and headed out of Lightning Ridge for St. George. We traveled 30kms crossed a cattle grid BANG then the noise of metal dragging on gravel. Stopped on the shoulder. Head under the bonnet. Exhaust has separated from manifold. No mobile service. First passing vehicle stops. A younger couple,with adolescent daughter. All three had more modern phones than mine and all of them called into NRMA on my behalf one of them was successful. How lucky did we feel. NRMA arrive from Lightning Ridge. The guy could not be more helpful, but,"sorry mate its a tow job, the converter is cactus". Back at Lightning Ridge the patrolman has a yarn with K&M Auto repairs and repair is organised for today. How's that for service? but wait there's more. The van had been towed by the NRMA to a caravan park of my choice. An hour after setting ourselves up one of the pop top struts broke its mooring. "Oh no not something else". Sorry no caravan repair man in the Ridge. Two phone calls and the guy fixing the car says "Yeah we can mate come and get your car tomorrow morning and bring your van in tomorrow lunchtime". At 3.30 pm today both car and van are back in a serviceable condition. I cannot praise enough the people and businesses involved. We spend three months every year mostly in the bush, is it any wonder why?
Its always a good news story to read how small business operators go the extra mile to help strangers who likely they will never get business from again. Pity their genuine "customer service" didn't flow over into the large retailers like the supermarkets, insurance co's, Telcos etc who prat on about customer service and actually provide none
-- Edited by Bruce and Bev on Thursday 30th of June 2016 10:04:21 PM
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
We have had two tow's by RACQ, and cannot fault them. Fantastic service. First one was water pump up on Barkly Table Lands. Cruiser on truck and towed van behind back to Camooweal. Second time was a broken valve spring just south of the border on the Stuart Highway. That time they loaded both van and cruiser on a truck and trailer rig and shipped us down to Port Augusta. Top service in my opinion.
Do W.A's RAC provide great service like these two motoring bodies?
I've heard back things about RAC and would like to hear if anyone has had good experiences and what service they got.....(and which year as the service levels have been changed recently)
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
We broke down 30ks south of Balranald at a fruit fly check point (flat battery) . One bar of phone reception if standing in a certain direction. Rang roadside assist & gave them our rego number which we ended up repeating 3 times. Yes, your car is a yellow Mazda sedan! NO its a white Ford Ranger 4x4 ute!!!! 3 times!! What STREET are you in? We're on the main road between Balranald & Tooleybuc 30ks south of Balranald!!!!!! What suburb is that in? It's a country road!!!! We might get someone out to you in the next few hours. Turned the ignition key & it started so we drove off. Called into Ouyen for a new battery. Got a phone call from roadside assist asking if we were happy with their service. We said yes!!!!!
BL**DY HOPELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Friday 1st of July 2016 06:48:36 AM
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Friday 1st of July 2016 06:50:53 AM
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Cheers Keith
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts, of beauty rich & rare. We'll be out there enjoying it somewhere, camped by ourselves much of the time.
Do W.A's RAC provide great service like these two motoring bodies?
I've heard back things about RAC and would like to hear if anyone has had good experiences and what service they got.....(and which year as the service levels have been changed recently)
I have been WA Rac member forr 11 years......since we moved to the city ......used four or five times ....great service on all ocassions.
When I lived in country WA i didnt bother as I had contacts that could assist when needed some of which were the RAC contractors.......bearing in mind the remoteness of some areas make their job rather difficult.
I wont be without my RAC membership when we get back on the road ......van and all
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I Remember It ...............All Too Well
Wherever the four winds blow. I'm restless, I'm ready
Only thing to check on really.
Is any radius from Metro areas.
Most have/had a radius. after that you get private contractor to that point
at a VERY hefty price.
Unless it has changed over last few yrs.
Nissan were the only mfg that covered back to workshop from anywhere... in Australia.
Nowadays we have 50 plus gold RACQ card. covers Overseas insurance. everything.
Well worth the extra $$'s.
I'd be checking other RAC branches too.
We are members of the largest club in Queensland ...
The RACQ.
I guess if we add all of the States roadside assist clubs together they would also form the largest club in Australia.
We have had fantastic service from RACQ. Especially when experiencing breakdown with the tow and or van.
We have twice.. had the tow vehicle on the tray top and the van attached to the roadside assist vehicle and both taken to the nearest town. Tow to workshop and they then placed the van on site in the local caravan park.
best $$$ we have ever spent to be a long time member.
Anyone travelling this great country without roadside assist, could only be described as a fool.
Had a flat battery last Friday in the Prado at home when leaving to travel 60 km away , Rang the RACQ someone was there in 30 minites . Yes the battery was dead I said put a new battery in went to his truck and found he didn't have the right battery on board , He said he could have one to me in 30 minites after telling him I was now already 30 minites late he ask where are you heading we can have someone come out to you there and install a new battery there ok so he arranged for that to happen and how good is that , Would not leave home without it RACQ.
