Recovery

[KEN33Y]

I came out of the bathroom on Saturday morning to find my wife had picked up my clothes and stuck them in the washing machine. Like any sensible woman she checked the pockets (not) which contained the keys to the CLK which was parked at the front of the drive.

 

Frantically, with someone coming over from Paris to collect my Son's car for which he had sold there I got the hair dryer out and kept a constant heat on the fob (we do not have a spare fob). Stuck the key into the ignition and it was not recognised. Panic stations called the RAC who retrospectively sent out a local recovery agent (Celtic Recovery) in all fairness he was not long attending and loaded my CLK on to the recovery vehicle and took in down to my parents house where there is a spacious drive. During this time the key fob was in my pocket.

 

Whilst unloading the vehicle the alarm went off a couple of times and we tried the key fob again. On this occasion it was recognised and the car started and we could drive it off the back of the recovery vehicle. I assumed the fob had dried out with the heat in my pocket ha ha.

 

I decided to leave the car there until Sunday evening not needing it until Monday for work. However on the way to work Monday the steering did not feel right so I took the car into National tyres (I know the chaps there quite well) and they put it on the ramp for me. The pillock who rescued my vehicle had place his hooks on the track rod arms and now they are banana shaped.

 

The RAC want me to pay for the damage to be repaired myself until they can investigate the issue which can take up to 20 days. I will be going through the Courts, It was the RAC who employed this company therefore, it is the RAC who is responsible for the damage in my mind and I truly believe the Judiciary would hold in my favour. The Judiciary look at matters through reasonability and would ask the question is it reasonable to expect a recovery company to be professional and know where they can and cannot hook up to on a vehicle. The car is supplied with an eye bolt which should have been employed for the task.

 

Whats the members opinions

 

Following the threat of legal action through the County Court for damages the Recovery Company have responded with the fact that they will come and collect my car (its unsafe to drive) and if they believe the damage was caused by themselves then they will repair it at no cost to me. I will also be expecting two new tyres.

 

Furthermore, the RAC following legal threats have called me to advise that a hire car is on its way to me at no cost. I hope its not a Fiesta or the likes it won't compare to the CLK

[Old Peter]

You did the right thing, Kenny.  Sometimes the threat of legal action is enough when to an ordinary person what the offender has done is wrong.

 

I have just recently changed my recovery company [britannia Rescue - LV] because the "Agent" they sent out with an enormous tow truck to deal with a stuck handbrake [electric] said that he knew nothing about "these modern cars".  My daughter's boyfriend who was in the house googled the issue and found that if you disconnected the battery it would release the handbrake.  When I told the man that he opened the bonnet to look for the battery [which is in the boot]. The same man came some years ago when my then car had a loss of power. I was late Tuesday evening and I know my mobile mechanic goes out with his motorbike on Tuesdays.  The man said there was nothing wrong with the car. The next day my mobile mechanic diagnosed a faulty coil pack.

 

That is the problem with some recovery companies. The operators now nothing about cars!

 

Peter.

[KEN33Y]

It helped Peter that I actually do have a LLB (Law Degree) even though I am an electrical engineer therefore, I knew all the right phrases and wording to use arguing my case. Always happy to help someone out if stuck

[KEN33Y]

You did the right thing, Kenny.  Sometimes the threat of legal action is enough when to an ordinary person what the offender has done is wrong.

 

I have just recently changed my recovery company [britannia Rescue - LV] because the "Agent" they sent out with an enormous tow truck to deal with a stuck handbrake [electric] said that he knew nothing about "these modern cars".  My daughter's boyfriend who was in the house googled the issue and found that if you disconnected the battery it would release the handbrake.  When I told the man that he opened the bonnet to look for the battery [which is in the boot]. The same man came some years ago when my then car had a loss of power. I was late Tuesday evening and I know my mobile mechanic goes out with his motorbike on Tuesdays.  The man said there was nothing wrong with the car. The next day my mobile mechanic diagnosed a faulty coil pack.

 

That is the problem with some recovery companies. The operators now nothing about cars!

 

Peter.

 

Knob head, thats an obvious one the electrical charge holds the relay on, disconnect the power will release the relay's hold

[Old Peter]

It helped Peter that I actually do have a LLB (Law Degree) even though I am an electrical engineer therefore, I knew all the right phrases and wording to use arguing my case. Always happy to help someone out if stuck

It does, Kenny.

 

I have a bit of legal knowledge in Employment Law having been a member O Employment Tribunals for 18 years.  I have also represented people at Tribunals and was once told by a Chairman that I should have been a Barrister.  I found  too that sometimes the right words and a phone call were good enough.

 

Peter.

[Old Peter]

I had not long had the S Type when it happened and was just about to set off for Leeds.  I found out later when it happened again that I had not got any metric sized spanners!

[KEN33Y]

It does, Kenny.

 

I have a bit of legal knowledge in Employment Law having been a member O Employment Tribunals for 18 years.  I have also represented people at Tribunals and was once told by a Chairman that I should have been a Barrister.  I found  too that sometimes the right words and a phone call were good enough.

 

Peter.

 

I have also made representation mostly in Road Traffic cases involving speeding. In one case the Judge turned to the CPS a fully qualified young attractive Barrister and uttered I would suggest young lady you leave the Court Room with Mr. Donovan and ask him for contact details should you need legal advise on any further RT offences. I won the case  :D its all a bluff

[Old Peter]

I have also made representation mostly in Road Traffic cases involving speeding. In one case the Judge turned to the CPS a fully qualified young attractive Barrister and uttered I would suggest young lady you leave the Court Room with Mr. Donovan and ask him for contact details should you need legal advise on any further RT offences. I won the case  :D its all a bluff

I was a witness in an Employment when a Barrister asked me the same question 5 times.  I gave him the same answer fire time which was "No".  He put his head in his hands and said  "Forgive me for being dim  .. " but before he could go on i replied "I do"

 

It is sometime almost music hall.

[KEN33Y]

I was a witness in an Employment when a Barrister asked me the same question 5 times.  I gave him the same answer fire time which was "No".  He put his head in his hands and said  "Forgive me for being dim  .. " but before he could go on i replied "I do"

 

It is sometime almost music hall.

 

You have to have quick wit Peter, the so called experienced Judges are not exactly top class either. I served on a jury for a murder trial whereupon the accused was a chap who allegedly murdered his wife. The jury was chosen and I was the only male selected. I sent a note via the clerk to the Judge advising that it would give grounds for appeal if convicted with an imbalanced jury and he ignored my advice. The chap was found guilty, later appealed on the grounds I mentioned and the case went on to the high court

[KEN33Y]

The recovery company (Celtic Recovery, Cardiff, South Wales) repaired the CLK and returned it to me however, not with two new front tyres for which I requested.

 

I got back in touch with the RAC who instructed the aforementioned company to recover my car therefore, it is down to the RAC to ensure the repairs and damage to include tyres are corrected in full.

 

Both Celtic Recovery and the RAC retrospectively are declining to supply me with new tyres so I have now written to them advising that I have taken it on my own back to purchase new tyres to replace the defective front tyres caused by their agent due to the fact I do not wish to place myself, family or others in danger due to the defective tyres for which the are declining to replace.

 

I furthered by requesting the names and contact details for the;

 

          1.   RAC Legal Department

          2.   RAC Personal Liability Insurance

 

I will draft papers to serve in the County Court to recover my costs and damages