To tip or not to tip...

[RedLCRB0b]

I had to call the RAC out yesterday (no brake lights due to a faulty switch). Obviously the guy that came out couldn't fix it as they don't carry spare switches. He did say that if I could locate a switch for him then he would go and pick it up, bring it back and fix my car. I found a dealer that had the part in stock and he is now on his way back to fix the car.

If this is part of the standard RAC service (I've never had to call them out before) then I am pretty impressed. If he is doing this to help me out then I think a tip is in order.

What do the PH masses think ?

Bob

[cobra kid]

Pretty standard, the guy who came out to me yesterday talked about the car spares in the area that he uses.

[eltax91]

Depends ont eh guy really, some would maybe take offence, others would just pocket it. For me, i'd walk to the nearest off license and buy him a four-pack to help this evening go smoothly!!

[evil len]

Hang on, am I missing something here ... you called the RAC out because ... your brake LIGHTS aren't working ?

[robinhood21]

I will always tip for good service!

[speedychrissie]

If it has all been done with a smile I would try and tip, but I have heard that RAC blokes are not allowed to accept tips (or even offers of cups of tea/coffee) so dont be too surprised if he says that he cant take it.

[Gareth350]

i thought the RAC/AA were a breakdown service, not a mobile mechanic? If you called him out JUST for no brake lights, if i were him i would have been pretty pissed off! Yes, i think you should tip him!
Mnd you, having owned a Morris Marina before, explains a lot of things!! Hehe!

Edited by Gareth350 on Saturday 27th June 14:12

[Pigeon]

Better than having to call out the recovery truck because the car behind didn't clock you were braking...

[Engineer1]

Dunno, getting brake lights fitted sounds a good idea, I have made 2 trips to Halfords in an attempt to get replacement bulbs, I bought the ones listed as correct get home come to fit them and they aren't right so back i go to find they don't stock the correct ones, and the screw holding the nearside rear light is spinning rather than coming undone so if the job is heading that way i would pay someone else who could get the parts to do it.

[Stevenj214]

I was recovered by an AA appointed private recovery truck last week. The guy went out of his way to drop my 3 passengers off before me, even though he wasn't obliged to. £10 in thanks was gratefully received.

[RedLCRB0b]

evil len said:

Hang on, am I missing something here ... you called the RAC out because ... your brake LIGHTS aren't working ?

The brake light switch was broken (as I did mention in the post).

[swiftpete]

Whenever I've used aa or rac in the past if they've done the job I've always given them a tip. I go to customers houses daily in my job and the tips are always very much appreciated, just not often enough!

[Los Palmas 7]

swiftpete said:

I go to customers houses daily in my job and the tips are always very much appreciated, just not often enough!

Me too. It's always nice to get a little recognition for your efforts, especially after delivering a huge kitchen to a second floor flat in this balmy weather.

[evil len]

RedLCRB0b said:

evil len said:

Hang on, am I missing something here ... you called the RAC out because ... your brake LIGHTS aren't working ?

The brake light switch was broken (as I did mention in the post).

And that stopped you driving your car did it ? What was wrong the with car that you couldn't drive it to the garage yourself ? Why did you call out a BREAKDOWN service, was the car broken down ?

[evil len]

Pigeon said:

Better than having to call out the recovery truck because the car behind didn't clock you were braking...

Um .... handsignals ?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...

[Famous Graham]

evil len said:

RedLCRB0b said:

evil len said:

Hang on, am I missing something here ... you called the RAC out because ... your brake LIGHTS aren't working ?

The brake light switch was broken (as I did mention in the post).

And that stopped you driving your car did it ? What was wrong the with car that you couldn't drive it to the garage yourself ? Why did you call out a BREAKDOWN service, was the car broken down ?

If he wasn't at home then I'd prefer someone to call out the AA/RAC to try and get it fixed rather than carry on driving on the road with no brake lights, tbh.

[evil len]

Famous Graham said:

If he wasn't at home then I'd prefer someone to call out the AA/RAC to try and get it fixed rather than carry on driving on the road with no brake lights, tbh.

Possibly I'm in the minority with this one, but it seems rather OTT to me. True, if the OP was (say) half way down to Devon or something, possibly worth getting fixed, but the original post hinted that he was at home (assumption). Bearing in mind the Highway Code allows for this (hand signals) coupled with gentle breaking and forward anticipation rather than slamming on, surely a drive to the main stealer would hardly be risking lift and limb ...

[RedLCRB0b]

evil len said:

RedLCRB0b said:

evil len said:

Hang on, am I missing something here ... you called the RAC out because ... your brake LIGHTS aren't working ?

The brake light switch was broken (as I did mention in the post).

And that stopped you driving your car did it ? What was wrong the with car that you couldn't drive it to the garage yourself ? Why did you call out a BREAKDOWN service, was the car broken down ?

It is illegal to drive a car with no brakes ! I've never had the need to use before, but just for good measure you can have another one

I phoned the RAC and told them the problem, they said it qualified as a breakdown because the car could not be driven legally.

Please don't bother replying, I can't be bothered with your responses any more.

[bonsai]

RedLCRB0b said:

evil len said:

RedLCRB0b said:

evil len said:

Hang on, am I missing something here ... you called the RAC out because ... your brake LIGHTS aren't working ?

The brake light switch was broken (as I did mention in the post).

And that stopped you driving your car did it ? What was wrong the with car that you couldn't drive it to the garage yourself ? Why did you call out a BREAKDOWN service, was the car broken down ?

It is illegal to drive a car with no brakes ! I've never had the need to use before, but just for good measure you can have another one

I phoned the RAC and told them the problem, they said it qualified as a breakdown because the car could not be driven legally.

Please don't bother replying, I can't be bothered with your responses any more.

Quite. Driving with broken brake lights would be idiotic. I guess the joker above doesn't realise how many people drive on autopilot and take brake lights of the car in front as a cue to brake.

I would wager that you could drive around for a few hours with no brake lights and have an extremely high chance of being rear ended.

[Gareth350]

Well i think the breakdown service is for breakdowns, a garage is the place to have brake light switch fixed. Use handsignals & a notice in the back window saying "caution, no brake lights". Its abusing the system, puts up everyones renewel costs. As bad as people who make insurance claims for a £100 dink in a bumper or wing!