comments
I Hate U-Haul Truck Rental (And So Does Everyone Else)
Email
 Print
|
U-Haul is, in my personal opinion, quite possibly one of the most poorly managed businesses still in business and the only way they get away with it is because they’re almost the only game in town. The U stands for Unreliable. Ask anyone if they’ve ever had or heard of someone having a bad experience with U-Haul and prepare yourself for an intricate story about how U-Haul screwed them This is exactly what happened to me this weekend. (I added to the title because everyone else hates U-Haul too!)
I was to help my girlfriend and her roommate move out of their apartment in New Jersey starting at 10am on Saturday. The night before, her roommate called and confirmed (the guy said they had the truck on site and she could pick it up at 10ish the next day) that the truck they reserved was ready for us tomorrow. She calls the next day right before she is supposed to leave – truck isn’t there. Truck was never there. In the general area, there were no one-way trucks available for rental because it was the end of the month and they were all booked (reserved! ha!). We didn’t get a truck until 7pm, didn’t depart until 11pm, and worked all through the night until 6am unpacking.
One year ago, when my roommate and I moved out of our apartment (and into another), we too ran into the same situation. The U-Haul site had decided, even with our reservation, to rent our truck out to a walk-in customer because they didn’t know if we would show up. We didn’t get a truck that day until 2pm. This year, we opted to use a minivan from a reputable rental agency.
U-Haul is unreliable and dishonest. While they’ll gladly take your cancellation fee, they won’t give you any money if they screw you and rent out a truck you need. Most of the time we’re talking about end of the month moves where you need to follow a strict schedule in order to check out of the apartment, complete the final walk-through, and get on your way. If we didn’t move, we would have to continue paying a rent because of U-Haul’s unreliability. Don’t call it a reservation if you don’t reserve anything.
My fellow bloggers who read this, write a post about how U-Haul has screwed you and trackback to this one. Non-bloggers, send this to a friend and have them comment and/or pass it along. Spread the word, like a virus, that U-Haul is a business that should go down the tubes.
If you need to move, use these alternatives (I haven’t used them but U-Haul has screwed me two out of two times, so I’d use any of these before U-Haul ever again):
- Budget/Ryder – Ryder was acquired by Budget, so try Budget for your moving needs.
- Penske – I see their trucks all the time and the drivers are always smiling, so they can’t be all that bad.
- Hertz – Word on the street is that Hertz rents trucks as well.
- Public Storage – Storage companies typically will let you use their truck if you rent from them and with the smallest storage closets running about $30 a month, this is a great deal for in-town moves.
From the comments, it also sounds like even if you get a truck (the “lucky” ones), they aren’t reliable (surprise!) and could die on you.
U-Haul CEO’s Cell Phone Number
Courtesy of the Consumerist:
The CEO of Uhaul gave out his cellphone number last night on an episode of Inside Edition, inviting consumers to call with complaints or questions. Joe Shoen explained saying, “People can’t get this organization to behave, I can.” That number is 602-390-6525.
Let him have it!
{ 359 comments, please add your thoughts now! }
Related Posts
 By Jim |
 Stumble It! Bookmark reddit.comTags: U-Haul Aug 01, 2005 | Read more in Product Reviews, The Home |
Like this article? Get all the latest articles sent to your email for free every day. Enter your email address and click "Subscribe." Your email will only be used for this daily subscription and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Don’t you just love U-Haul? Well I don’t and I work for them. There are so many unfair labor practices, on top of the poor management, it isn’t funny. I’ve been working for them for a couple of years now; and get this, I now make less then the new hires. They upped the pay because minimum wage raised but didn’t bump my pay, then, when it was time for a raise (which is now), I have been totally ignored by all management. Seriously, they are hiring people at a higher wage then I make. Basically, I am being told that if I go to the labor relations board that I am going to be fired. U-Haul’s policy is that they can fire you at any time for no reason on the spot and you can quit for no reason on the spot. Wow, some policy. I’m being ripped off and I can’t quit because there are no other jobs out there. Funny thing is; I am a woman, and all the men make more then me. It’s total bull.
You should really call “labor standards” or “labor relations” in this country and tell them what you put on here. I once worked for a company in Illinois, a work at will state, where you don’t have to give two weeks notice. When I decided to quit a job because of an overbearing boss, I wrote him a letter to tell him why and I didn’t come in Monday morning. He then sent me a letter telling me his lawyer told him that he could change my wages from $12/hr to $5/hr because I quit and minimum wage that all he was required to pay me under the law. Well, I wrote labor standards in Illinois and they said he was completely wrong and what he was doing was completely illegal. So I wrote him back and told him, this might be what your lawyer says, but this is what the Illinois labor standards says. He backed down and paid me what I was owed. he had tried to intimidate me and told me something that seemed legitimate but I called him on it. you should do the same with these people. There should be no reason why this is happening to you. Perhaps you could recover some of what you feel you’ve lost over the time working for these clowns. If they do one illegal thing, you can be sure they’re doing something else shifty, as well. In the case of the place I worked for, he was hiring his techs out at Union Rates (22/hr)and paying them 12/hr, which was also illegal. The tech is supposed to get that wage. I recovered some money there too. Good luck with it.
I am getting ready for a move about half way across the country. I was considering using an outfit called upack. You essentially pack up their trailer and then they drive it to your destination and drop it off. It actually worked out to be the same price as renting 2 uhauls and driving them myself. So it seems like a good way to go. Anyone have any experience with them?
I have used U haul a handful of times and I guess I have been lucky so far. Haven’t had anything major pop up with them.
I have nothing but praise for upack by abf. I used them twice, relocating from Seattle to San Diego and then San Diego to Connecticut. Their customer service is incredible, you talk to real people who are very nice and informative..and even steer you towards the most economical option (partial trailer vs container). I did shop around during both moves and found not only are they a good deal but priceless for the simple peace of mind. They are SUPER flexible, I changed the load in location from my apartment (no off street parking) to loading at their terminal which saves you money too and terminal is open late. I was delayed in my travels and they kept my shipment and dropped off when and where I needed it – waiving a day or two extra storage costs. Go use them and never look back! BTW, I couldn’t load the trailer at my apartment (no off street parking) so I had to rent a U Haul to bring my stuff to the terminal to load – and guess what, two days later I’m half way across the country only to find out that the U Haul claimed I broke a tail light on their vehicle (which I didn’t) and charged me without notification. AND I had bought the “covers all” insurance to boot!
FYI, was also thinking of driving a uhaul across the country and was told by others who had done it that you pay for any savings in both gas money and time…passed many poor U haulers who were barely doing 40 mph up hills, many breakdowns, bad on road service, etc.
Gosh you folks must live in wrong part of the country. I have had many dealings with the local U-Haul here in Va. and have never had anything but pleasant dealings with them.. I have bought boxes, rented trucks and even gotten good packing advice from them. Could not have ask for better service.
The LA Times ran an expose of U-Haul about a year ago. It’s an interesting read, if you want to dig it up in the archives. Basically, the paper showed that the company was mismanaged, the trucks were dangerous, and that some people had been in serious accidents because of negligence. I’ve used U-Haul to move several times, with okay experiences, but after reading the expose, I realize how lucky I was!
Everybody hates something in life. And one of yours is U Haul. I myself haven’t ever had any problems with them. In fact, they’ve went out of their way to help.
Lest we forget, we’re in a “dog-eat-dog world. All people have bad experiences with someone. So suck it up and get on with life. I’m sure this isn’t the only bad experience you’ve ever had.
Hi
I have never had problems with them. They were needed when I arrived int own and was able to use their storage for rates affordable. The employees assisted me each time I went there. I rented a truck to move in town and it was there. I think it has to do with management. Why would a widely known company reserve a truck and when you call to pick it up, it is not there? Sounds like some management problems as well as lack of automobiles available. Why take the customers money? It sounds like a case that needs investigating by the Consumer Board. Otherwise as the previous poster stated go on with with your life. At least you did something about it so the anger will not build up.However if it is a crucial problem (ex. money exhausted, children, family, lost home, job, sickness) call the city emergency line.
I do agree with the employee, i used to work to this company for a very long time 8 years, they say they truly care about their employees,”THAT IS BIG BULL S” the most un professional managers they can be, its all about the corporation and screw every one else no exceptions.They are careless about problem solving with customers, unethical about many things, for example 3 monitor calls if you fail you are out,must answer phones,make reservations, pull trucks for customers, clean the crappy trucks because no one cares to care enough to clean them before sending them out, must be done all at the same time, what ever comes first do it! i got so sick i had to go to the hospital, expectations are extremely high for a low pay job. u-haul- does sucks i am so happy i am not there anymore.
UHAUL sucks for both renting and empolyee…I gave that company 7 years of my life..it went as far as having my husband work for the company and moved the whole dang family thinking it was a smart move..well after the move being a manger for 3 years i found out wrong….just cause you dont kiss the mcp butt he dont like you.Well i dont kiss any butt.The job was getting done.WEll in the end we had to move becaause they transfere me and my husband lost his job.but the mcp refused to let my husband get his unemployment.i not only lost my job as well because the gm were i was transfered from hated me he some how got his job back.after being told once u are put on the do not rehire list you can never get ur job back..that a line of bull.a month The month we moved i lost my hubby and than lost my job.The reason why hubby left was because he couldn’t support his family and feels like a failure and now not only do i feel like a failure but giving a company my 7 years of life and hard working for this company to not be able to support my kids like i did..this company is a joke and no one should work or rent from them.THEY SCREW PEOPLE OFF BIG TIME!!!!
Everyone is out for a buck these days and you can never be to sure. I say if possible dont call and make reservations in person. Forgive and forget.Pray, live, love, laugh and remember you are still living and try not to let anything stress you if possible. Especially other peoples ignorance because Karma is a “B”!
Oh, and try not to let a few bad apples spoil the whole tree. Its poor management. That’s why one Burger king may be dirty and food greasy and another gets A plus.
I have had problems while helping other people move. They reserved a truck, but when they went to pick it up, there were none available. Worked out perfectly for me, because by the time they did get something, I had a prior engagement and got out of helping them. hehe.
The only time I have personally used UHaul is with one of their trailers (once was a car trailer and once was a box trailer). Both times we just walked in without reservations (they aren’t as in-demand like their box trucks). Once we had them they were no problem (tough for a trailer to break down).
The author shows in their text the problem why they couldn’t get a truck;
“The night before, her roommate called and confirmed (the guy said they had the truck on site and she could pick it up at 10ish the next day) that the truck they reserved was ready for us tomorrow… In the general area, there were no one-way trucks available for rental because it was the end of the month and they were all booked (reserved! ha!).”
Several issue aren’t mentioned on this posting. First, the only indication of reserving a vehicle is that it was done the night before the move. Second, it doesn’t state whether or not they were trying the rental at a UHaul owned retail center or at a UHaul “dealer”. The majority of UHaul locations are “dealers” and they are principly a business that has trucks and trailers available for rental and get commission. Some of the dealers are great, some are terrible.
I have worked in the real estate and moving environment for years. I have used UHaul, Penske, Budget and Enterprise for moves both residental and commercial. I have to say that my experience with UHaul at corporate owned locations has always been very possitive and only a few of the “dealers” have been poor. Budget rental trucks were good in condition, but ALOT of added expenses tagged onto the bill at the end of the rental that was never pointed out prior to signing the contract.
The end of each month there is ALWAYS a large number of people moving. To call to reserve a vehicle to move things on a Friday night and EXPECT any company to have that vehicle available on Saturday morning is rediculous and unrealistic. One has to wonder why the author didn’t reserve the vehicle weeks in advance, not at the last minute.
To put it in a different perspective, if you knew you were going to fly on an airline from the East Coast to the West Coast during the Christmas Season, would you wait until the night BEFORE your expected flight to see if a seat was available, or would you reserve a seat well in advance?
I’m sorry, but I have no sympathy for the author and hopefully they will read my comments and understand that moving at the end of the month does require some advance planning in order to expect ANY company to have equipment available.
I’m yet another unhappy customer that will never use U-Haul again. I rented a car trailer and it was installed by a U-Haul autorized person. When loading car onto trailer the trailer came loose and went into the tailgate on my truck. I had optional U-Haul insurance. insurance company and U-Haul refuses to pay for damage to tailgate – they say since I drove it 30 miles before loading car that it was hooked up properly and is not their fault. Also, I had a brand new 2″ tow hitch on it at failure.