MB Club , known member assistance scheme

[Pontoneer]

Following on from a member asking for advice about travelling here to Scotland , I offered assistance should he get into difficulties , and also details of a local MB Indy who could look at his car .

Obviously a lot depends on distance ; I intimated that for known club members I'd recover them for free within a 50 mile radius of Glasgow , and for those stuck further away at actual petrol cost ( with me filling up on departure and again on recovery , with recovered party paying for actual fuel used ) .

I'd be wary of people joining the club one week , then expecting a car to be transported the length of Britain the next week ; however , for longer recoveries , and for bona fide club members , could we look at some sort of mutual assistance scheme ? wh knows which of us might need help one day ?

Please reply with either some sort of willingness to help , or positive/negtive comments why you might think it a good/bad idea ?

Isn't this what being a club is part of about ? I'm happy to help within my local area ( Glasgow ) ; who else will sign up ?

 

[Headhurts]

I would normally try to help out any members in difficulty if possible, I guess though if you break down or need a lift on an ad hoc basis would you need to PM a member which is hit and miss and I would be reluctant to post my phone number on a forum but your gesture is very kind.

Robin

 

[Gollom]

The idea is laudable - indeed the MBCCS (MB Club Courier Service) has helped me on a couple of occasions! As it has others. However, IMHO it would be much better to just leave it as an ad hoc service. Once you formalise things it can get messy and people change. Also, there may well be legal implications as it could well be considered as an informal contract?
If people ask for help, in amongst all the teasing there is genuine assistance offered. In fact I'll bet that there is more goes on privately than is publicised on the forum itself

 

[colinallcars]

Best left to the existing organisations IMO.

 

[BIGDOG]

2 of my cars are under manufacturer warranty which includes breakdown cover, the other has a policy covering such situations.

Why would I need a flaky chat room (sic) solution?

 

[Pontoneer]

I appreciate , and understand , the concerns of anyone on here who has replied .

However , if it is someone I 'know' even from just having corresponded on the forum over the years ; if they don't have breakdown cover , of course I will come out and help them if I can .

It was a number of years ago now , when I was down in Largs , can't remember which car I was in , I think maybe one of my W126s , but this Dutch registered W123 pulled up , asking for help ; I recall it was over a weekend , but I phoned up Stef from Merparts , explaining that these Dutch tourists were having trouble and could he help ; he agreed to come out and I led them up to his premises .

Agreed , if it is not some I've heard of , I might leave them to RAC/AA , but if it is an established member of our community , and especially someone I know , then I will do anything I can to help .

I'm not on the forum 24/7 to monitor for people needing help , but I have no problem posting my mobile number 07973 772 724 for genuine club members needing help in West Central Scotland .

My involvement might only be making a few phone calls and putting them in touch with one of the several local indys in my area ; but if someone was broken down in the middle of the night , then of course I'd tow their car to a safe place and run them to a local hotel or train station as appropriate .

 

[colinallcars]

I appreciate , and understand , the concerns of anyone on here who has replied .

However , if it is someone I 'know' even from just having corresponded on the forum over the years ; if they don't have breakdown cover , of course I will come out and help them if I can .

It was a number of years ago now , when I was down in Largs , can't remember which car I was in , I think maybe one of my W126s , but this Dutch registered W123 pulled up , asking for help ; I recall it was over a weekend , but I phoned up Stef from Merparts , explaining that these Dutch tourists were having trouble and could he help ; he agreed to come out and I led them up to his premises .

Agreed , if it is not some I've heard of , I might leave them to RAC/AA , but if it is an established member of our community , and especially someone I know , then I will do anything I can to help .

I'm not on the forum 24/7 to monitor for people needing help , but I have no problem posting my mobile number 07973 772 724 for genuine club members needing help in West Central Scotland .

My involvement might only be making a few phone calls and putting them in touch with one of the several local indys in my area ; but if someone was broken down in the middle of the night , then of course I'd tow their car to a safe place and run them to a local hotel or train station as appropriate .

You’ve put your phone number on again, not sure if it’s intentional?

 

[W1ghty]

Your cars insurance could be impacted by some things like this . Car insurance is quite restrictive.
( Not in anyway to take away from the generosity being offered )

 

[Pontoneer]

You’ve put your phone number on again, not sure if it’s intentional?

Of course it's intentional - that's why I did it .

 

[colinallcars]

Of course it's intentional - that's why I did it .

Suit yourself, you removed it previously.

 

[Harrythedog]

While your offers of help are most laudable any permanent scheme as such requires a commitment to be available and that’s something most are unable to guarantee.
However a countrywide “advice” section with people offering verbal or posting help in their respective area of the country i.e. local Indy contact info, hotel info, parking info etc may be feasible. I know people have often asked similar type questions prior to visiting certain areas but I understand your idea of offering “emergency “ help.
Having said that, to do it within this forum may add unnecessary workload to the current admins.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Suit yourself, you removed it previously.

I previously removed it, its not a good idea to post your personal numbers on a public forum.

 

[Pontoneer]

Your cars insurance could be impacted by some things like this . Car insurance is quite restrictive.
( Not in anyway to take away from the generosity being offered )

I wouldn't be doing it often , or commercially , only accepting a contribution towards fuel if any significant distance , and that is normally allowed .

I already do rescue people a few times a year , family and friends mostly , but I will only tow someone who knows how to be towed . I do have access to a car trailer , but then you have to start looking at weights , whereas towing a disabled car on a strap , with someone responsible at the wheel isn't such an issue and usually looked on as an emergency recovery .