Topic: Ford Roadside Assistance Sucks

[Schmengie]

what if it was January not April.  My point is that I had no idea roadside was so bad.  I would have signed him up with CAA+ if the sales people hadn't touted roadside as the best thing since sliced bread.  The difference from where he broke down to Peterborough vs. Oshawa is about an additional 10 minute drive.  The dealership where I had bought 3 cars in the last 7 years wouldn't even give me a loaner so my son could get back to college.  They are not inconveniencing my son, they are inconveniencing me. 

It was your son that inconvenienced you, not roadside assistance. Obviously, the poor boy had a phone. Since it was HIS car, he should've called roadside assistance himself and then called a cab to take him home. It's called self-reliance.

I do know why you are so hard on the kid, he could be as young at 17 and never had a car brake down on him. We do not know kids side of the story
If my car broke downan hour away I would call my wife to pick me up. Number 1 reason my wife does not let me have that much cash 

You probably would have had to sign up under CAA plus to get a long tow to Holiday Ford

When I was in college, I was responsible for my own transportation, not that my parents ever gave me a brand-new muscle car or even paid for my bus-pass. The mere suggestion would've gotten me 1) laughed at, and 2) immediately disinherited.  Calling Mommy when I was in a bit of trouble didn't even enter my head, either I got myself out of it or no one did. Believe me, that happened more than once...

And what better time to teach the lad self-reliance and responsibility? If he's old enough to drive he's old enough to deal with the occasional headaches that come with that privilege.

[safristi]

Feelings Oooh Oh FEELINGS of DASH   dashes............. ...cue the VIOLINS...or the OBOE..... ......when I was 17teen it was a very good year............and all the subsequent ones...........

[airbalancer]

what if it was January not April.  My point is that I had no idea roadside was so bad.  I would have signed him up with CAA+ if the sales people hadn't touted roadside as the best thing since sliced bread.  The difference from where he broke down to Peterborough vs. Oshawa is about an additional 10 minute drive.  The dealership where I had bought 3 cars in the last 7 years wouldn't even give me a loaner so my son could get back to college.  They are not inconveniencing my son, they are inconveniencing me. 

It was your son that inconvenienced you, not roadside assistance. Obviously, the poor boy had a phone. Since it was HIS car, he should've called roadside assistance himself and then called a cab to take him home. It's called self-reliance.

I do know why you are so hard on the kid, he could be as young at 17 and never had a car brake down on him. We do not know kids side of the story
If my car broke downan hour away I would call my wife to pick me up. Number 1 reason my wife does not let me have that much cash 

You probably would have had to sign up under CAA plus to get a long tow to Holiday Ford

When I was in college, I was responsible for my own transportation, not that my parents ever gave me a brand-new muscle car or even paid for my bus-pass. The mere suggestion would've gotten me 1) laughed at, and 2) immediately disinherited.  Calling Mommy when I was in a bit of trouble didn't even enter my head, either I got myself out of it or no one did. Believe me, that happened more than once...

And what better time to teach the lad self-reliance and responsibility? If he's old enough to drive he's old enough to deal with the occasional headaches that come with that privilege.

So you would give you kid if he need help 

[Schmengie]

what if it was January not April.  My point is that I had no idea roadside was so bad.  I would have signed him up with CAA+ if the sales people hadn't touted roadside as the best thing since sliced bread.  The difference from where he broke down to Peterborough vs. Oshawa is about an additional 10 minute drive.  The dealership where I had bought 3 cars in the last 7 years wouldn't even give me a loaner so my son could get back to college.  They are not inconveniencing my son, they are inconveniencing me. 

It was your son that inconvenienced you, not roadside assistance. Obviously, the poor boy had a phone. Since it was HIS car, he should've called roadside assistance himself and then called a cab to take him home. It's called self-reliance.

I do know why you are so hard on the kid, he could be as young at 17 and never had a car brake down on him. We do not know kids side of the story
If my car broke downan hour away I would call my wife to pick me up. Number 1 reason my wife does not let me have that much cash 

You probably would have had to sign up under CAA plus to get a long tow to Holiday Ford

When I was in college, I was responsible for my own transportation, not that my parents ever gave me a brand-new muscle car or even paid for my bus-pass. The mere suggestion would've gotten me 1) laughed at, and 2) immediately disinherited.  Calling Mommy when I was in a bit of trouble didn't even enter my head, either I got myself out of it or no one did. Believe me, that happened more than once...

And what better time to teach the lad self-reliance and responsibility? If he's old enough to drive he's old enough to deal with the occasional headaches that come with that privilege.

So you would give you kid if he need help 

If it was a true emergency, of course I'd help. This doesn't qualify IMO because the young man could've easily dealt with the situation himself, other people do it all the time. Giving him the keys to a new Mustang is already more than enough 'help'....

[vdk]

what if it was January not April.  My point is that I had no idea roadside was so bad.  I would have signed him up with CAA+ if the sales people hadn't touted roadside as the best thing since sliced bread.  The difference from where he broke down to Peterborough vs. Oshawa is about an additional 10 minute drive.  The dealership where I had bought 3 cars in the last 7 years wouldn't even give me a loaner so my son could get back to college.  They are not inconveniencing my son, they are inconveniencing me. 

It was your son that inconvenienced you, not roadside assistance. Obviously, the poor boy had a phone. Since it was HIS car, he should've called roadside assistance himself and then called a cab to take him home. It's called self-reliance.

I do know why you are so hard on the kid, he could be as young at 17 and never had a car brake down on him. We do not know kids side of the story
If my car broke downan hour away I would call my wife to pick me up. Number 1 reason my wife does not let me have that much cash 

You probably would have had to sign up under CAA plus to get a long tow to Holiday Ford

When I was in college, I was responsible for my own transportation, not that my parents ever gave me a brand-new muscle car or even paid for my bus-pass. The mere suggestion would've gotten me 1) laughed at, and 2) immediately disinherited.  Calling Mommy when I was in a bit of trouble didn't even enter my head, either I got myself out of it or no one did. Believe me, that happened more than once...

And what better time to teach the lad self-reliance and responsibility? If he's old enough to drive he's old enough to deal with the occasional headaches that come with that privilege.

So you would give you kid if he need help 

I would tell him to deal with it, and call me back in 30 minutes. What can a parent do to help you from 100kms away? I would only call home after everything had been handled.

[airbalancer]

what if it was January not April.  My point is that I had no idea roadside was so bad.  I would have signed him up with CAA+ if the sales people hadn't touted roadside as the best thing since sliced bread.  The difference from where he broke down to Peterborough vs. Oshawa is about an additional 10 minute drive.  The dealership where I had bought 3 cars in the last 7 years wouldn't even give me a loaner so my son could get back to college.  They are not inconveniencing my son, they are inconveniencing me. 

It was your son that inconvenienced you, not roadside assistance. Obviously, the poor boy had a phone. Since it was HIS car, he should've called roadside assistance himself and then called a cab to take him home. It's called self-reliance.

I do know why you are so hard on the kid, he could be as young at 17 and never had a car brake down on him. We do not know kids side of the story
If my car broke downan hour away I would call my wife to pick me up. Number 1 reason my wife does not let me have that much cash 

You probably would have had to sign up under CAA plus to get a long tow to Holiday Ford

When I was in college, I was responsible for my own transportation, not that my parents ever gave me a brand-new muscle car or even paid for my bus-pass. The mere suggestion would've gotten me 1) laughed at, and 2) immediately disinherited.  Calling Mommy when I was in a bit of trouble didn't even enter my head, either I got myself out of it or no one did. Believe me, that happened more than once...

And what better time to teach the lad self-reliance and responsibility? If he's old enough to drive he's old enough to deal with the occasional headaches that come with that privilege.

So you would give you kid if he need help 

I would tell him to deal with it, and call me back in 30 minutes. What can a parent do to help you from 100kms away? I would only call home after everything had been handled.

What a mean lot
Peterborough to Oshawa is not that far
Do any of have children?

[vdk]

what if it was January not April.  My point is that I had no idea roadside was so bad.  I would have signed him up with CAA+ if the sales people hadn't touted roadside as the best thing since sliced bread.  The difference from where he broke down to Peterborough vs. Oshawa is about an additional 10 minute drive.  The dealership where I had bought 3 cars in the last 7 years wouldn't even give me a loaner so my son could get back to college.  They are not inconveniencing my son, they are inconveniencing me. 

It was your son that inconvenienced you, not roadside assistance. Obviously, the poor boy had a phone. Since it was HIS car, he should've called roadside assistance himself and then called a cab to take him home. It's called self-reliance.

I do know why you are so hard on the kid, he could be as young at 17 and never had a car brake down on him. We do not know kids side of the story
If my car broke downan hour away I would call my wife to pick me up. Number 1 reason my wife does not let me have that much cash 

You probably would have had to sign up under CAA plus to get a long tow to Holiday Ford

When I was in college, I was responsible for my own transportation, not that my parents ever gave me a brand-new muscle car or even paid for my bus-pass. The mere suggestion would've gotten me 1) laughed at, and 2) immediately disinherited.  Calling Mommy when I was in a bit of trouble didn't even enter my head, either I got myself out of it or no one did. Believe me, that happened more than once...

And what better time to teach the lad self-reliance and responsibility? If he's old enough to drive he's old enough to deal with the occasional headaches that come with that privilege.

So you would give you kid if he need help 

I would tell him to deal with it, and call me back in 30 minutes. What can a parent do to help you from 100kms away? I would only call home after everything had been handled.

What a mean lot
Peterborough to Oshawa is not that far
Do any of have children?

It's not being mean I don't think. The guy needs to assume some responsibilities, he's in college now. No way I would call my parents who paid for my pretty Mustang to come pick me up in the middle of the night.

[airbalancer]

I would expect my children to call me if they are touble.

[Schmengie]

what if it was January not April.  My point is that I had no idea roadside was so bad.  I would have signed him up with CAA+ if the sales people hadn't touted roadside as the best thing since sliced bread.  The difference from where he broke down to Peterborough vs. Oshawa is about an additional 10 minute drive.  The dealership where I had bought 3 cars in the last 7 years wouldn't even give me a loaner so my son could get back to college.  They are not inconveniencing my son, they are inconveniencing me. 

It was your son that inconvenienced you, not roadside assistance. Obviously, the poor boy had a phone. Since it was HIS car, he should've called roadside assistance himself and then called a cab to take him home. It's called self-reliance.

I do know why you are so hard on the kid, he could be as young at 17 and never had a car brake down on him. We do not know kids side of the story
If my car broke downan hour away I would call my wife to pick me up. Number 1 reason my wife does not let me have that much cash 

You probably would have had to sign up under CAA plus to get a long tow to Holiday Ford

When I was in college, I was responsible for my own transportation, not that my parents ever gave me a brand-new muscle car or even paid for my bus-pass. The mere suggestion would've gotten me 1) laughed at, and 2) immediately disinherited.  Calling Mommy when I was in a bit of trouble didn't even enter my head, either I got myself out of it or no one did. Believe me, that happened more than once...

And what better time to teach the lad self-reliance and responsibility? If he's old enough to drive he's old enough to deal with the occasional headaches that come with that privilege.

So you would give you kid if he need help 

I would tell him to deal with it, and call me back in 30 minutes. What can a parent do to help you from 100kms away? I would only call home after everything had been handled.

What a mean lot
Peterborough to Oshawa is not that far
Do any of have children?

Mean?? Just because I refuse to jump every time little Johnnie gets into a spot that any reasonably mature person could deal with themselves?? Please...

"Peterborough to Oshawa is not that far" 
Exactly. That's what cabs are for.

Yes, I have children. I help them when they need it, but that doesn't mean I handle every little problem life throws their way.

[vdk]

I would expect my children to call me if they are touble.

Yes I agree with you, but there's certain things your adult child should be able to take care of themselves right?

[johngenx]

No matter how old she is, if my daughter phones me for help, I'd give it.  The trick is raise them so that they don't call unless they really need help.  I extend this to all of my family as well as my friends.  We all need help from others at some point...

The OP needs help in learning to make paragraphs.  Perhaps they might seek some assistance...

[Schmengie]

  The trick is raise them so that they don't call unless they really need help. 

You just hit the nail on the head. Having everything handed to a kid on a silver platter doesn't exactly motivate him/her to help themselves. Well, except to the goodies maybe....

[vdk]

No matter how old she is, if my daughter phones me for help, I'd give it.  The trick is raise them so that they don't call unless they really need help. 

+1

[airbalancer]

No matter how old she is, if my daughter phones me for help, I'd give it.  The trick is raise them so that they don't call unless they really need help.  I extend this to all of my family as well as my friends.  We all need help from others at some point...

 I complete agree with johs point. If a friend was broked down I would have no problem drive a couple hundred kms to help them out, but do not ask me to move furniture any more 
Distance is about 76km which to me is not to far but it would be a killer of a cab ride

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

*hit happens with cars, new or old be it a mechanical problem or a simple tire failure. You should read the roadside assistance contract to the letter.

They likely only have to tow it to a Ford dealership/mechanic. They are not taxis. That is why your son should have cash for his own cab, use his credit card or withdraw money from his line of credit to pay for a cab.

If he broke down late at night, no rental cars will be available anyway.

He's an adult not a baby, he should be able to take care of himself.

[Cord]

If all else fails, read the instructions!

Roadside assistance is a minimum cost sales gimmick. Few read the fine print until they're in trouble, some never. Then they discover it delivers far less than suggested. The maximum tow distance is 25 kilometers to a Ford dealer! Not much in the wide open spaces. The correspondent was entitled to lodging and a rental car on Ford's dime if the distance from home exceeded 160 kilometers.

If personal security was a genuine issue police assistance should have been requested.

See the attachment.

That the maximum tow distance is only 25 kms is incorrect.
The attachment states:

Towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford dealership, or your selling dealer if within 25 kms of the nearest Ford dealership (one tow per
disablement).

So, if the nearest Ford dealership is 120 km away then that's where it gets towed to.  If you want it towed to your selling dealer and your selling dealer is within 25 km of the closest dealer (up to 145 kms away in this example) then it will be towed there.

[Cudworthhab]

Good to see you back Cord.

[MKII]

.  No one said to me 'in the event that the car breaks down within 160km of your home you will be expected to walk home or carry at least $1000 for a cab at all times unless you want to pay through the nose not only for the car but an extended warrantee that we will sell you and lie to you when you call it in.  Roadside assistance did not ask if there was an extended warrantee on the vehicle.  And I thought this behaviour was only reserved for used car salesmen.
On our way home from the dealership, we stopped and CAA and got my son covered.  I really had no idea roadside assistance was so bad.

Nasty way to learn anything, but now you know you should read what you get and how you use it with services such as this.....
 for example a couple clicks on Ford.ca and viola

"Emergency Travel Expense Reimbursement Should your vehicle become disabled due to a mechanical breakdown while you are more than 160 km from your residence address, we will reimburse you up to $500 (in total), for the following reasonable emergency expenses, (when not covered by insurance).

Covered Expenses:

Local lodging and meals.
Vehicle rentals from bona fide car rental agencies (excludes gas expense).
Commercial transportation to your destination, and return after repairs are completed"

http://www.ford.ca/app/fo/en/parts_and_services/service_your_ford/general_information.do

For your reading pleasure should you have more questions about Ford Canada Roadside Assistance
http://www.ford.ca/app/fo/en/parts_and_services/service_your_ford/roadside_assistance.do

Experiences whether bad or good, bottom line is hopefully you and your son learned from it.
cheers