"Either way, I'm seriously considering learning how to change a tire myself...seems like it'd save a lot of hassle."
Honestly, learning basic car maintenance like changing a tire is always a good idea—saved me more than once. But I wouldn't jump to conclusions about AAA or roadside assistance in general just yet. Could be regional differences or even staffing shortages lately. I've had mixed experiences myself, some great and some not-so-great. Maybe it's less about AAA specifically and more about the current state of service industries overall?
Learning basic maintenance is definitely worthwhile—I've had a couple late-night flats where knowing how to swap the tire myself was a lifesaver. But regarding AAA, I've noticed a shift lately too. It seems response times have gotten longer, and customer service isn't always consistent. Could it be they're overwhelmed with more drivers on the road, or is it just cost-cutting measures finally catching up with them? Curious if others have noticed similar trends with different roadside services lately.
I've been shopping around for insurance and roadside assistance options lately (first-time buyer here), and I've noticed a few things:
- AAA isn't alone in having slower response times. Friends have mentioned similar delays with other services like Allstate's roadside assistance and even some independent towing companies.
- Seems like staffing shortages might be part of the issue—fewer drivers, more cars on the road, and maybe even higher call volumes post-pandemic.
- Cost-cutting could definitely be a factor too. Companies everywhere seem to be tightening belts, sometimes at the expense of customer experience.
I'm curious though, has anyone tried any app-based roadside services like Honk or Urgent.ly? Wondering if these newer, tech-driven options offer quicker responses or better reliability compared to traditional providers...
I've used Honk a couple times on road trips, and honestly, it was pretty smooth. Response times felt quicker than my old AAA experiences, and the app updates were reassuring. Might be worth giving it a shot...
"Response times felt quicker than my old AAA experiences, and the app updates were reassuring."
Interesting... I'm usually skeptical about these newer apps (old-school AAA guy here), but if they're actually quicker, might be worth a try. Still, hard to trust my '68 Mustang to an app named "Honk"...
