Typical car breakdown

Background: Our Ford Galaxy has an electrical problem. The other day, set off home, the rev counter was eratic, the LCD mileage display flashing, and the speedometer, well, I was apparently doing 150mph in the Galaxy through the centre of Llangefni. Hmm. Drove it home like this, guesstimating my speed, trying to work out where the dodgy connection might be. Next thing I know, it all comes back to life, working properly. Except the battery warning light is on. Aha! Alternator or relay. So I changed the relay, nope, not this. Bugger.

So it comes to today, and the Mrs has booked the car in the garage for them to deal with it (since i have to work & don't have the time to investigate properly, let alone fix it). She comes off the A55 just by Tesco at Bangor (too much location detail for the masses I suppose), and heypresto, it cuts out. Not even 500m from the garage. Flat battery, all the classic signs.

Problem being, breakdown recovery policy has just expired So she calls me, in a panic, with the lil one in the car too. I spend the next 20mins on the phone to directline (insurance who did the recovery policy), pay commiting card fraud technically (my account is too low so used the Mrs details), so get the account re-activated. Then I get put through to the breakdowns section, who take all the details, including a number for me, and where the car is etc etc.

Sorted. Finally.

Why do things like this always seem to happen? You just run out of cover, and breakdown!

Big thanks to Dawn at directline though (even though I doubt she'll read this), sounds like you deserve those ballons you had delivered whilst I was on the phone. Not a problem at all to sort out the messy situation.

Long shot, but anyone on the forum work (or know anyone that does) at the DirectLine call centre and could get me details on how to get a small gift out that way? Seriously good customer service like that deserves to be rewarded. She's earnt directline their money single handedly in my book!

That reminds me, must renew my breakdown cover!!

As for getting a small gift to the call centre lady, I'd write a glowing letter to her MD, naming her and heaping praise on her. When our MD receives letters like that, he usually frames them and puts them on display in reception for all to see and the employee in question gets a little reward from him.

Top tip El Saxo... that'll get done tomorrow.

Also a little update, £339 for a new 120A alternator fitting. Yes, my screen has coffee on it too!

I'll be paying a parts retailler for the alternator, and fitting it myself!