I have been a loyal customer of the AA for many years but have recently been let down by my wife's dealings with the company. On leaving a theme park my wife's car started to miss fire and the engine warning light came on. She contacted the AA for assistance and a break down van arrived. It was at this point things took a turn for the worst. My wife has limited knowledge of car mechanics and had our two disabled children and a friend with her child in the car. The patrol man informed her that the car need a new coil pack and spark plugs and that the cost of parts would be below £200 ( the parts end up costing nearly £400). My wife attempted to contact myself but I was away on Exercise with the Army and had no phone reception. She informed the patrolman that she wanted the car recovered to our home and that we had relay on the policy. At this point the patrol man took advantage of her situation and bullied her in to having the car repaired and not recovered. He went off to collect the parts and would not call a recovery vehicle. He returned and fitted the parts. The car now works but we were charged double the retail price for the parts and were billed for a out of hours sourcing parts charge (even though it was a standard part that should be held in the patrol vehicle),which my wife was not informed of before she was forced into excepting. The AA has taken advantage of a stranded mother and two disabled children. I will not be renewing my policy.