AUTO EXPRESS READERS VOTE GEM NUMBER ONE IN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SURVEY
2 July 2008, Auto Express No.1,019 (p 58)
We were delighted to read the roadside assistance survey in the 2 July edition of Auto Express magazine, in which the feedback of more than 32,000 readers placed GEM Motoring Assist at the top of a line-up of 11 breakdown providers.
A combination of value for money, friendliness and helpfulness, general presentation and overall service saw GEM sweep the board with a score of 84.5% - more than three per cent ahead of Autonational, its nearest rival.
Auto Express’s analysis summed up its readers’ comments: “GEM was the only organisation to secure marks over four (80%) in every sector, showing the size of the firm is not always an indicator of quality.”
The RAC took third place (79.55%), with Green Flag in sixth place (78.32%), the AA seventh (78.25), Tesco ninth (77.18%), Direct Line 10th (76.60%) and Churchill at the bottom (75.32%).
We particularly liked the comment about Tesco, with its position among the bottom three providers. ‘This goes to show,” say Auto Express, “that some services are best left to the experts. After all, GEM Motoring Assist doesn’t sell fruit and veg!”
At GEM we are constantly striving to grow our membership in order to help support our road safety initiatives. Most important, though, is our pledge to offer the very highest overall levels of service, regardless of how big or small we may be.
AA slumps to seventh best breakdown service as drivers vote smaller firms better
6 July 2008, Daily Mail
It may once have billed itself as the fourth emergency service, but the AA isn’t even in the top four roadside breakdown firms, according to a survey. The motoring giant limped in at seventh out of 11 in the poll of 32,000 drivers. On value for money, the AA came bottom, though it scored highly for its mechanics’ general presentation. Motoring organistions were also rated for friendliness and helpfulness, and overall service in the study for Auto Express magazine.
Overall, top spot went to the lesser known
GEM Motoring Assist. Bottom of the list was Churchill, famous for its cuddly dog adverts. David Johns, editor of Auto Express, said: ‘Biggest isn’t always best. The lesser-known and smaller recovery firms generally outshone the big boys.’
An AA spokesman said: ‘Regular independent polling among our 15million members consistently shows that 95 per cent would recommend the AA to family and friends.’
The full list, in order of overall rating, was:
1 GEM Motoring Assist
2 Autonational Rescue
3 RAC
4 National Breakdown
5 More Than
6 Green Flag
7 The AA
8 Norwich Union
9 Tesco
10 Direct Line
11 Churchill
Click here to view the Daily Mail article.
9 July 2008, GEM press release
AA manages only 7th, and ranks bottom for value
Tesco, Direct Line and Churchill take ninth, 10th and 11th places respectively
When it comes to choosing the right roadside recovery package, it pays to remember that size is not always an indicator of quality. That’s the resounding message from more than 32,000 people taking part in Auto Express’s 2008 Driver Power survey, who voted GEM Motoring Assist the UK’s best breakdown cover provider.
People were invited to give marks out of five for value for money, friendliness and helpfulness, general presentation and overall service. Of all the operators, GEM was the only one to secure marks over four in every sector.
GEM chief executive David Williams said: “You’ve heard it from us. Now you’re hearing it from the people who really matter – motorists themselves. Auto Express asked more than 32,000 of them about how they rated their recovery providers. They responded with a ringing endorsement of our service.
“We are totally committed to offering the best possible service to our members. That includes not only providing prompt, professional help at the roadside but also being available to them. They can pick the phone up and speak to me about motoring issues, they can have their opinions published in our free quarterly magazine and they can take advantage of some superb offers and discounts.
“Historically the name GEM derives from our former title, the Guild of Experienced Motorists. These days we like to think that GEM is all about Going the Extra Mile for our members. Our message to motorists is that you don’t have to settle for seventh best, or even second best, so when your renewal time comes along, why not give us a try!”