Waiting for RAC

Post by **GT750rider** » 25 May 2018, 11:04

This will come as no surprise to those who have broken down and waited for the RAC to come out.

This happened to my wife recently, whilst out on collection. It's 27 miles from her parent office.

The van refused to start, luckily it was parked in a parking space, not double parked, which is rare. This all kicked off at around 17.45.

She phoned the RAC, and was told it'll be at least 90 minutes. Tried phoning the office, no reply. Eventually got through 30 minutes later. Explained the siutation, i.e. live mail on board, including specials. Told to sit tight, wait for RAC.

The RAC came within the 90 minutes quoted ( just ). The man couldn't start it, and the trailer he had wasn't big enough to carry the van. He phoned his HQ, and said they'd send a bigger trailer. This arrived an hour and 40 minutes later. This RAC man diagnosed a duff starter motor, and recovered the van.

They eventually got back at 22.20. Too late for the collection ( and specials ). The mail centre's 40 miles away.

Then there was the argument over the amount of overtime ( she was due off at 19.00 ).

To say the service has been run down is an under statement. I've been in the job long enough to remember that all attempts would be made to get that collection to where it needed to be. Of course, now there aren't the spare vans, and staff aren't interested any more. You can't blame them.

redneck · Post by **redneck** » 25 May 2018, 14:01

It's a second rate service compared to having your own staff available dealing solely with company van difficulties. You are thrown in with all the other issues with domestic vehicles, yet another lowering in standards. And in the exxample, to top it off, arguments about claiming overtime while you are stuck waiting for a company that Royal Mail thenselves have contracted!

I personally have had several incidents with punctured tyres, and three hours is the norm. We are told not to attempt changing the tyres yourself and vans don't have spares.

LaggyBand · Post by **LaggyBand** » 25 May 2018, 16:55

A natural consequence of prioritising shareholder profits and striving for infinite growth. Many corporatised services go this way.

Post by **97gaz** » 25 May 2018, 19:27

Post by **wacko74** » 26 May 2018, 06:22

Wait until you break down in a hire van, phone the RAC on the PDA, only to be told the RAC doesn't cover hire vans.... then the fun really begins.

robbertwhitton · Post by **robbertwhitton** » 26 May 2018, 16:01

Yep as ever it’s a service and system not fit for purpose,that needs addressing,

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 27 May 2018, 15:52

wacko74 wrote:Wait until you break down in a hire van, phone the RAC on the PDA, only to be told the RAC doesn't cover hire vans.... then the fun really begins.

There is a different firm/phone number for hire van breakdowns on the PDA.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 27 May 2018, 16:01

Maybe I have been lucky. My van seems to spend more time in the garage than with me on delivery. The last two times it broke down on delivery the RAC arrived in about 45 minutes. It's still a pain in the **** of course but I didn't think that was too bad. Last time it needed a jump start but I knew that was going to happen as the charging circuit had broken and I could not get them to take it to the garage. The time before there was another engine fault and the RAC guy fitted a metal tow bar and towed me back to the delivery office. Ah I remember - that was a strange one - the van would only move in reverse gear!! I contemplated trying to drive back backwards but decided against it. I don't think I got any overtime for either of those incidents.

Post by **97gaz** » 28 May 2018, 23:32

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 30 May 2018, 17:16

97gaz wrote:
Celgar wrote:Maybe I have been lucky. My van seems to spend more time in the garage than with me on delivery. The last two times it broke down on delivery the RAC arrived in about 45 minutes. It's still a pain in the **** of course but I didn't think that was too bad. Last time it needed a jump start but I knew that was going to happen as the charging circuit had broken and I could not get them to take it to the garage. The time before there was another engine fault and the RAC guy fitted a metal tow bar and towed me back to the delivery office. Ah I remember - that was a strange one - the van would only move in reverse gear!! I contemplated trying to drive back backwards but decided against it. I don't think I got any overtime for either of those incidents.
You seem to put up a lot of posts where you mention that you haven't been paid for your efforts. Stop doing stuff for them if it isn't going to Be paid for. We are hourly paid.

It's not just me in my office - it's likely fairly widespread within RM and the TUC recently reported it as a nationwide problem.

Your late today · Post by **Your late today** » 30 May 2018, 17:44

Celgar wrote:
97gaz wrote:
Celgar wrote:Maybe I have been lucky. My van seems to spend more time in the garage than with me on delivery. The last two times it broke down on delivery the RAC arrived in about 45 minutes. It's still a pain in the **** of course but I didn't think that was too bad. Last time it needed a jump start but I knew that was going to happen as the charging circuit had broken and I could not get them to take it to the garage. The time before there was another engine fault and the RAC guy fitted a metal tow bar and towed me back to the delivery office. Ah I remember - that was a strange one - the van would only move in reverse gear!! I contemplated trying to drive back backwards but decided against it. I don't think I got any overtime for either of those incidents.
You seem to put up a lot of posts where you mention that you haven't been paid for your efforts. Stop doing stuff for them if it isn't going to Be paid for. We are hourly paid.
It's not just me in my office - it's likely fairly widespread within RM and the TUC recently reported it as a nationwide problem.

Yeah we’re told if we break down and go over hours we don’t get paid as we finish early on Tuesday.