We have been members of the Good Sam Club for RVers on and off for years – before we became Full-timers, and ever since we hit the road two years ago. We have also taken advantage of their Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) as well. We’ve always been happy with the service when we’ve had the rare occasion to use it, and it has been invaluable on those occasions (a dead battery in Truth or Consequences, NM our first year out, and a tow vehicle mis-hap back in 2003 on our first extended RV journey). The service was fast and friendly, and we couldn’t have been more pleased. That was until today.

The annual renewal date is upon us, so I went online today to pay our dues for the ERS Platinum Membership. Turns out, the Good Sam ERS website gives an Introductory price of $109.95 for Good Sam members. The price is $119.95 for non-Good Sam members. What is my price, after being a loyal Good Sam and ERS Platinum member for years? $129.95.

Now, paying more than even non-members to renew my membership just didn’t seem fair, so I called the 1-800 number provided to ask about the difference. I spoke to someone named Kendall. To be honest, it was difficult to speak to him, as it was obvious he was in a ‘boiler-room’ type setting. There were so many loud voices in the background that it was hard to hear or understand him, however, I did explain to him why I was calling and asked him why I would be paying more than a new or even non-member for renewing my ERS Platinum Membership. He had no answer except that the $109.95 and $119.95 is an introductory price and that’s just the way it is. There was a long pause as I expected some kind of additional explanation, or perhaps an offer to reduce my rate to the same price listed on their website (hey, one can hope), but was met with total silence. I then explained to him that I felt I was being penalized for being a loyal customer and member for many years. He just repeated that the price listed on the website was the price listed and that if I wanted to renew I would have to pay $129.95. I very politely told him that under those circumstances, I would shop around for another ERS service, as I didn’t feel this was fair. He basically told me to go ahead and that was the end of our conversation.

So much for our previously positive experiences with Good Sam Club and Good Sam ERS. This was the first time we have called and received such a callous and disinterested response. If this is how Good Sam treats its long-time members — not just the rates, but the phone conversation as well — then perhaps we need to re-think our membership. We certainly will be price-shopping for another ERS service, that’s for sure.

How about you? What are your experiences with Good Sam Club and/or Good Sam ERS? What other ERS services do you use or would recommend?