to expect to be told the best price right away

I think they have lots of hard sell tactics now.

Didnt know WHICH are now less than reputable?

I find it quite disturbing that companies like the AA, which started life with laudable aims, and worse still WHICH, which is supposed to be protecting us from rogue trading and poor products, have been sucked into this sort of marketing.

My car insurance is also due at the end of this month - quote from existing insurer £220, went online and found a quote for exactly the same cover for £155, rang existing insurer to tell them I wouldn't be renewing with them and they immediately dropped the quote to £186, went back to second insurer who knocked off another £6 - guess which one I have gone with.

The insurance companies rely on people being like my husband, and automatically renewing each year, without question, because, in my husband`s case, he just can`t be bothered with the hassle. Our daughter number 3 has taken us in hand over the last few months, and has saved us a small fortune in insurance for house, car, water problems and AA. That said, the AA did come to our rescue a few years ago when the organization we were with refused to come out to us, citing that we weren`t members, when we`d been with them for several years. An AA man who was nearby offered to help if we joined on the spot, and we`ve been with them ever since. A definite no-no to us is Green Flag, even though they did apologise later for their error.

The AA are one of the worst at this, we have 2 relatively new cars and called them out once last year, albeit on Christmas Eve, and they didn't come. Had to leave the car in a side street and get home and sorted it out after Christmas. They wanted some extortionate renewal figure this year so we saved over £150 by going elsewhere. They did phone and offer us a reduction but they should have done that in the first place.

I hate it when companies do this. It's just a way of getting the maximum they can out of customers. I barter on most things now. Sometimes my husband cringes in shame but I often get money off so it's worth it.

If anyone does that to me, like my last car and home insurer, I say thank you and goodbye. If more people did that the first offer would soon be the best offer.

They appear to charge what they fancy. I was quoted around £140 a few years ago and told them no thanks. I am now with the RAC and pay nothing. This is something to do with my original car warranty- all beyond me but I have used them x2 this year and it worked perfectly. My car is 12 years old so I need to be with a company.

The AA rang me a few weeks ago offering a charge of £25 because I have buildings and contents with them. sunseeker just choose a number it would seem.