Breaking Down on the Road and the Garage and Wrecker

On Monday Sept -28 I took a trip to Atlanta from Altha, Florida. During the 260 mile trip the car ran hot. After stopping and attempting to cool off the engine I realized the thermostat had stuck or that was my best guess at the root of my trouble. I eventually called my State Farm insurance company as I have emergency road service with them for a cost of $1.68 per six month period.

The lady that answered quickly gave me a phone number for a wrecker and another for a garage. After getting the car towed to the garage the part needed, a thermostat was ordered. Not finding one at an auto parts supply one was ordered from a dealership. This is the reason I write of this. The garage was told on several phone calls that the part was on the truck for delivery. Four hours later when the truck arrived with my part the driver stated that he brought it right over, and that he no other parts delivered.

Breaking down on the road away from home is never fun, although I had an interesting conversation with the garage owner over several topics during the four hours. Breaking down with the State Farm Road service was not too bad at all. My only problem is the time it took for my part to be delivered. Had I not been clubfooted I could have walked to and from the dealership for my part in less than 4 hours.

Taking 4 hours for my thermostat to be delivered caused me miss an appointment which cost me over $25. I also had to reschedule that appointment causing more delay. My car was repaired and as far as I know as of yet the repair fixed the problem for a while. My breaking down on the road and calling my road service will get me a refund on the $75 wrecker bill and at least some refund on the work done.

I guess I really don't have a reason to complain, this has never happened before with a part being delivered from a dealership, with a garage making my repair instead of me or a mechanic friend I use. Thus I do not know how this kind of repair and delivery usually goes. But my opinion is when in business you do not take four hours to deliver a part for someone with an automobile broke down. That just seems like a ridiculous amount of time.

Out of this situation I have great respect for State Farm Road service. I had a vehicle towed once before and also a windshield replaced which was not the road service but my insurance which paid the $260 dollars that time.
If you break down I wish you better luck than I had. Happy traveling.