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U-Haul Complaint - Careless, Unhelpful And Rude - Truck Rental
Truck Rental - Complaint
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- A couple years ago, a Chicago U-Haul outlet rented me a truck with no license plates. To be entirely honest, I was at fault for not noticing this stupid mistake. Half way through Illinois, a trooper stopped me and said, "I could take you to jail for this but I will let you drive to the next town so you can get plates faxed to you" [and then he handed me a moving violation ticket]. <- Added 1/13/09
So I drove to a motel and convinced U-Haul to fax me temporary plates. They offered absolutely no apology. I taped the plates to the back of the truck and drove the remaining 500 miles to my destination, followed all the while, by various troopers.
When I arrived (in Joplin, Missouri), the local shop did not care in the least about the trouble U-Haul had caused me because, "They were just a franchise and [I] would have to call corporate." Of course, that was my intention. I just wanted a bit of understanding from them, I guess.
To make a very long story short, I called and called, over and over, to every single person in U-Haul that I could, on every single business day for two entire months asking for a reimbursement for the truck rental fee. I did not ask for payment of the police ticket or the attorney fee, court fees or the plane ticket back to Illinois to go to court.
Literally every single person that I talked to either callously said they were not able to help me and that I should call "Person X in department Y" or they assured me that they would resolve the situation and immediately call me back. I was never once called back; not even a single time. This happened quite often. After a few, I was entirely disillusioned and swore to never use those careless, unhelpful morons ever again.
I caution you to never use U-Haul, not because they are not useful but because they are totally rude and unhelpful if you ever have a problem that they caused.
(I will publish this complaint every single place I can. I will tell every single person I know about they way this sad company mistreated me for the rest of my natural life.)
So I drove to a motel and convinced U-Haul to fax me temporary plates. They offered absolutely no apology. I taped the plates to the back of the truck and drove the remaining 500 miles to my destination, followed all the while, by various troopers.
When I arrived (in Joplin, Missouri), the local shop did not care in the least about the trouble U-Haul had caused me because, "They were just a franchise and [I] would have to call corporate." Of course, that was my intention. I just wanted a bit of understanding from them, I guess.
To make a very long story short, I called and called, over and over, to every single person in U-Haul that I could, on every single business day for two entire months asking for a reimbursement for the truck rental fee. I did not ask for payment of the police ticket or the attorney fee, court fees or the plane ticket back to Illinois to go to court.
Literally every single person that I talked to either callously said they were not able to help me and that I should call "Person X in department Y" or they assured me that they would resolve the situation and immediately call me back. I was never once called back; not even a single time. This happened quite often. After a few, I was entirely disillusioned and swore to never use those careless, unhelpful morons ever again.
I caution you to never use U-Haul, not because they are not useful but because they are totally rude and unhelpful if you ever have a problem that they caused.
(I will publish this complaint every single place I can. I will tell every single person I know about they way this sad company mistreated me for the rest of my natural life.)
Comments:
Posted by Stew on 2008-11-25:
U-Haul is always big gamble. I had a friend who operated a franchise out of her feed and seed store. She couldn't care less about her U-Haul franchise. She treated it like a soda vending machine. A fringe source for a little extra money. She put no effort into at all. The equipment was trash. Reservations meant nothing. It's obvious that U-HAUL the corp imposes no standards on their franchisees.
Posted by Ponie on 2008-11-25:
Isn't it uncomfortable carrying that grudge around from 'a couple of years ago?' You're not going to hear from them--so give it up! Your BP will go down and your ulcer will heal.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2008-11-25:
Well-written and a great review. It may have taken the OP two years to find M3C and other consumer sites where he/she could air their complaint. BTW...have you filed a civil action against U-Haul for your ticket-related expenses. As a consumer, you have a 'reasonable expectation' that a rented vehicle will be safe and legal to operate. U-Haul failed in this. Check for any time limitations for a (small claims) suit to recover your damages. Good luck...and thanks for a great post.
Posted by dan gordon on 2008-11-25:
You said the trooper told you to go to the next town and get plates faxed to you. Then you kind of sneak in there was tickets and court costs. Don't understand why a court appearance was necessary. If you had all these problems why didn't you contest the charge with your cc company when this even occurred. Filing a small claims action isn't a bad way to go. They have to appear or you get a judgment.
Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2008-11-25:
Is missing plates a fix-it ticket? That might be why an appearance was necessary? I'm not sure how that works. After all of these posts I have seen I would not rent from U-Haul. I would not feel safe using their equipment/trucks.
Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2008-11-25:
Is missing plates a fix-it ticket? That might be why an appearance was necessary? I'm not sure how that works. After all of these posts I have seen I would not rent from U-Haul. I would not feel safe using their equipment/trucks.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2008-11-25:
depends upon your looks, your wallet, and the leo that stops ya!
Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2008-11-25:
oops, why did my comment post twice?
Posted by Sparticus on 2008-11-25:
U-haul burned the bridge with me long ago. They are usually the cheapest, and I have vowed to pay more to avoid them in the future.
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