What has happened to the RAC? I had previously been a member, but when I had a breakdown and agreed to a recovery and new membership I was conned out of £150 and left for 7.5 hours in a service station. When they finally arrived, I was told my car could make it home and didn't need a tow. It juddered and stuttered alarmingly all the way back. Now they won't refund me.
When I originally called, there was no mention of how long the maximum wait time could be - but an estimated wait of 2 hours was given. This was pushed back three times, eventually to an unreasonable length of time. I feel this is at best a breach of trust and at worst a breach of contract.
Trying to contact the RAC is very difficult - call waiting times for customer services are many minutes (I have just given up on one attempt after half an hour). I have been promised callbacks that haven't happened. Email correspondents have told me that it would be 'unfair to refund me' and then stopped responding.
I have asked for information on whether recovery service capacity is reduced on a Sunday relative to typical demand when compared to other days, particularly just outside London. I haven't received any response but I suspect that it is, as originally the RAC was going to send a third-party company to me, until those mechanics clocked off and an RAC van was eventually dispatched.
I think the RAC used to have a reputation. Now it seems to be desperately overstretched and willing to take money from beleaguered drivers in exchange for an unacceptable level of service. If you are in any way vulnerable, I would advise that it is not safe to use them because you cannot rely on when they will turn up.