delwhjr wrote:
fulltimedaniel wrote:
That's very interesting. And what it seems to break down to after the Police calls is economic in descending order of how much it will pay.
And if this is accurate then really as a customer we should be informed BEFORE we buy the road service that any given tow company has the right to decline the service call and thus leave us or in this case the OP stranded. But I fear GSE and all the other Road Service companies corporate ears are closed to this.
I strongly suggest you follow this link to Consumer Affairs to see why GSE want these complaints to come to this site/forum. It makes interesting reading.
ConsumerAffairs-GSE Road Service
I think it's time for a bit more openness and clarity on the part of all of these companies about how this service is really structured. Would it not be better for them to admit this upfront and just promise to pay for the Police or private call to the tow company?
That would certainly satisfy me on this issue and make me a happier customer for sure.
I am very suspect of the review site listed. After reviewing the site it was very interesting that the only company they have as "accredited" is also the company they carry an advertisement for. Even the BBB with their pay to play accreditation does not allow them to advertise on the BBB site.
It is also interesting to see GSRA ahead of AAA and it is the first one that allows RV tow.
I doubt very seriously that tow companies would agree to a contract that would not give them a right of refusal. It would give the other company too much control over their business. The public safety agreement probably goes hand in hand with the fact they have to get permits from them.
GSRA does tell you that they contract with third parties which would indicate someone else has some control over the results.
If you read the site perhaps you saw the link right at the top of the page I linked which was a page of complaints about GSE RServ.
It says: Good Sam Road service is not part of our Accredtation program. There is a link for further information. Below is what you get when you follow that link:
"What is the ConsumerAffairs Accredited Seal?
A company that displays the ConsumerAffairs Accredited Seal has agreed to work with us to resolve consumer complaints. In exchange for a monthly fee, we provide ConsumerAffairs Accredited companies with certain information regarding consumer reviews and complaints and allow ConsumerAffairs Accredited companies to respond privately or publicly to the consumer. While ConsumerAffairs never changes star ratings at a company's request, a consumer may choose to change a star rating after resolving a complaint with a company, and this could increase a company's overall star rating. In addition, if a consumer does not respond to a request for more information, or the consumer’s complaint is resolved privately with the company, or the factual basis for a complaint is unresolved, the consumer’s star rating may not be displayed and will not be included in a company’s overall star rating."
They are completely above board about this and it is up to Good Sam to involve themselves or not. They choose not to participate in that program. That too says something.
And Good Sam is not the first that covers RV's their number one rated company also does. So with those disclosures I feel comfortable with the advertising policy.
And yes you are right I believe that by law they are required to disclose the third party association but what we as buyers need to know is HOW that relationship works and affects us. Not just that it exists.
And just for the record: I am not now nor have I ever been associated with any of the companies under discussion or any tow or road service company. I have no financial interest in any of this except as a good Sam RS member.
