FAQ
How It All Works
Everything you need to know — whether you’re getting help or giving it.
How does In a Pickle work?
Whether you’re a customer needing help or a provider offering it, everything starts on the website. Customers post a job, and providers see it instantly when they’re Online. Providers choose whether to accept, and customers get real-time updates from there.
What happens when a customer posts a job?
Customers choose between Roadside Assistance, Recovery, or Unsure / Assistance with Possible Recovery. This gives providers a clear idea of what might be needed. The “Unsure” option gives providers who can accommodate both roadside assistance and recovery the opportunity to attend.
How do providers receive jobs?
Providers simply switch Online to appear available. Jobs in their area appear instantly, and they choose which ones to accept.
When does the customer pay?
We place a hold on the customer’s card when they request help, so the funds are ring-fenced and the provider knows the job is real. The money is only taken once the job is complete and the customer confirms it. If nobody accepts, the hold is released and nothing is charged.
What happens after payment?
The provider receives the customer’s exact location and can contact them through the website or by phone. Customers can track the provider’s arrival in real time.
What happens on a Roadside Assistance job?
Providers attend the customer and carry out an initial assessment (up to 30 minutes) to identify the likely issue and next steps. If more work is needed, the provider charges their own rates — the only rule is that pricing must be transparent.
What happens on a Recovery job?
Providers load the vehicle safely and recover it to a location within 10 miles of the pick-up point. If the customer needs to go further, the provider may charge additional mileage at their own transparent rate.
What if the customer isn’t sure what they need?
They select Unsure / Assistance with Possible Recovery. This gives providers who can handle both roadside assistance and recovery the opportunity to attend, ensuring the customer gets the right support without delay.
How much does In a Pickle cost?
For customers: you only pay when you need help — no subscriptions, no hidden fees. For providers: no subscriptions, no advertising costs, no lead fees — only a fixed platform allocation on the core service tiers. All labour, parts, and additional mileage are 100% yours.
Can I cancel after a provider accepts?
Yes. You can request cancellation at any point while your booking is open, including once a provider has arrived. Before a provider accepts there is no fee. After acceptance a £25 fee applies — £20 to the provider for their time and fuel, and £5 to us. If you have to cancel because you feel unsafe, no fee is charged.
Who provides the roadside or recovery service?
The independent provider who accepts your request. Your direct service contract is with that provider, and they are responsible for the work itself. We run the platform, arrange the match and administer the payment.
What if no provider accepts?
No service contract is formed and the unused hold on your card is released — your bank controls when that visibly updates. You are not charged anything.
How does the Unsure option work?
Your request goes to providers who can do both roadside assistance and recovery. If recovery is needed, the amount is £115. If roadside assistance is all that is needed, the final amount is £55 — the difference is never taken from your card, so there is no refund to wait for.
What about extra parts, labour or mileage?
Anything beyond the included service must be explained and agreed with you by the provider before that work is carried out. Those charges are directly between you and the provider.
What if there is a problem with the service?
Use “Report a problem”, which stays available throughout your booking and for 24 hours after it completes. Where we can, we hold any pending payment to the provider while we look into it. Questions of workmanship are between you and the provider — we don’t decide those — but we can investigate what happened on the platform and with the payment.
Where do you operate?
We are currently launching across selected areas of Yorkshire. Availability depends on a suitable participating independent provider accepting your request.
Do providers have to accept every job?
No. Providers choose what suits them. There are no penalties for declining.
How do providers get paid?
Call-out and recovery fees are handled automatically through the platform. Any additional labour or mileage is paid directly by the customer to the provider.
Can customers and providers communicate?
Yes — you can message your provider through the website, or call them. This keeps everyone informed, safe, and on the same page.
