Good service - GEM Breakdown

[Andy Norfolk]

The day before our first trip of the year we decided it would be a good idea to check the caravan tyre pressure. Have a battery operated pump that reaches the desired bar. Used it successfully on both cars.

Put it on the caravan set it working, take it off and the tyre deflates. Tried again same problem.
Decided to call out GEM Breakdown who cover all our vehicles and the caravan. It's Sunday and a very unhappy looking man arrives.

Looks at it says we've probably damaged the valve. He doesn't have one. Ok he'll put the spare on. He does this and we realise it means we can't fit the wheel clamp as the spare doesn't have the aperture for it. So that invalidates the insurance.

He sees we're concerned. He takes the original tyre to his van. Twenty minutes later he comes back. He's fixed the valve. He takes off the spare and puts back on the original. Job done. He didn't have to help us like this. He could have just put the spare on and left us to go to a tyre shop to sort it. Gave him a tip and thanked him. Excellent service.

 

[Buckman]

first he doesn't have the valve and then a valve miraculously appears? Not quite what I would regard as excellent service

 

[Andy Norfolk]

first he doesn't have the valve and then a valve miraculously appears? Not quite what I would regard as excellent service

He didn't replace the valve miraculously. He repaired the valve we damaged. All he was obliged to do was put the spare on.

 

[Buckman]

He didn't replace the valve miraculously. He repaired the valve we damaged. All he was obliged to do was put the spare on.

Surely as a breakdown person he should be carrying spare valves? Service many have been good, but not excellent however as long as he sorted you out and you are happy with the service that is all that counts.

 

[Dustydog]

Never heard of Gem Breakdown.
Seems they started in 1932 and are well respected having access to circa 450 recovery operators.
It’s made me wonder if the same “operators “ also work for Green Flag and others? Multitasking maybe 😉

 

[Martin_E]

Surely as a breakdown person he should be carrying spare valves? Service many have been good, but not excellent however as long as he sorted you out and you are happy with the service that is all that counts.

Sadly breakdown companies can’t carry every spare with them, if they did they would be driving round in artics!

 

[Buckman]

Sadly breakdown companies can’t carry every spare with them, if they did they would be driving round in artics!

A valve is fairly common however in this case at first he did not have the valve and then he found the valve. No one expects them to carry every spare, just the most common spares.

 

[Martin_E]

A valve is fairly common however in this case at first he did not have the valve and then he found the valve. No one expects them to carry every spare, just the most common spares.

I wouldn’t class a valve as a common spare unless your a tyre fitter of course.

 

[Gafferbill]

GEM is the Guild of Experienced Motorists and used to be known as the Veteran Motorists Club.
Members used to display a white V badge on the front of their cars containing the number of accident free years they had been driving.
They promote road safety and sell various vehicle related insurances including breakdown.
They are based at Forest Row In Sussex and have a good reputation.

 

[Somersetboy]

We're with GEM, decided last year to join having looked GF, AA, RAC and Mayday. Renewal around early July so will interested to see what if any increase in membership will be, last year it was £86 for full cover.