I received my annual subscription renewal form from the Automobile Association today. Although I'm not pleased to see that my subscription fee has gone up a whopping £10 since last year (a huge increase, especially compared with the £7.50 one the previous year), the enclosed leaflet put a smile on my face - specifically, the very first point:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND CHANGES TO YOUR AA MEMBERSHIP
Valid for UK Members whose AA Membership renewal date is on or after 1st January 2010.
1. USEFUL CONTACT INFORMATION
We have provided two geographical phone numbers as we appreciate that some mobile phone tariffs may charge extra for calling 0800 and 0870 numbers.* The two additional numbers are detailed below:
For help following a breakdown in the UK..................................................... 0121 275 3746
To make changes, cancel or enquire about your AA Membership.................. 0161 332 1789
In addition, please note that SMS text messaging is available for use by deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired Members in a breakdown situation by sending an SMS to 07900 444 999.
*my emphasis!
This is excellent news, and the AA is to be congratulated, not only for listening to its members in providing these alternative numbers, but in openly publicising them - giving them prominence by listing them as point 1 in an information leaflet and sending this leaflet out to all of its members, even members like me whose renewal is due
before 1st January 2010 when the changes come into effect. Thanks to the AA's honesty, we need never feel guilty about using these alternative numbers!
I note that these official new numbers are not currently listed in the 'Say No to 08' database. I propose that they be included immediately and the AA added to the 'Hall of Fame'. Both numbers, together with their non-geographic counterparts, are listed on its website here (under 'Breakdown cover'):
http://www.theaa.com/aboutaa/contact.htmlStrangely, their website still gives 0845 788 7766 as the breakdown number to call from mobile phones. I guess they've just forgotten to delete it! I never understood why they offered that number as an alternative for mobiles anyway, as the standard 0800 one would surely cost the same or even slightly less to call from a mobile, and the 0845 one certainly wouldn't be included in any 'inclusive minutes'.
The AA's action makes me feel that, perhaps, this campaign is not in vain after all. With so many organisations unapologetically switching to NG numbers these days it's very easy to lose hope and feel that we're fighting a losing battle, but cases like this make it all seem worthwhile! I shall be writing to the AA to congratulate them.