Yeah, AAA's definitely slipped a bit. I used to swear by them for peace of mind, but lately their response times have been iffy. Local services seem hungrier for your business—more responsive and actually invested in repeat customers. Makes a difference when you're stranded...
"Local services seem hungrier for your business—more responsive and actually invested in repeat customers."
Yeah, I've noticed that too. AAA's still decent overall, but local outfits often go the extra mile these days. Might be worth keeping a reliable local number handy, just in case...
I've had decent luck with AAA overall, but I'm not sure I'd trust a smaller local outfit to have the same resources in a pinch. Sure, local services might seem hungrier now, but what happens if they get swamped or short-staffed? Can they really match AAA's network and reliability when you're stranded at midnight on some rural road? I'm all for supporting local businesses, but when it comes to roadside assistance, I'd rather play it safe...
I've actually had pretty good experiences with smaller local companies, even late at night. Sure, AAA has the big network, but have you ever waited forever because they're juggling a ton of calls? Local outfits often know the area better and can sometimes get to you quicker—even on rural roads. Maybe it's worth giving them a shot sometime...you might be pleasantly surprised.
"Local outfits often know the area better and can sometimes get to you quicker—even on rural roads."
Fair point, though I'd say it depends a lot on where you are. I've seen some local companies absolutely nail it...and others, well, let's just say they're still 'finding their way' around town. Maybe try a smaller company, but keep AAA as your backup plan?
