U-HAUL U-HAULInternational ripoff Phoenix Arizona

I have been renting from U-Haul since I was 17, I am now 57 years old. I too have had my share of breakdowns, its a fact of life. But one hopes a good company will kept there unit in great working order, that why one rents a truck. I'm have always chalked it up{these minor items}, as the cost of doing business with the company that rents trucks. However about nine months ago I rented a U-Haul truck, to go down to Langley Air Force Base were specifically NASA to pick up some equipment and office furniture on the way back both cables fell down and drag behind the truck unbeknownst to me. When I arrived at place in Providence Forge Virginia and pulled around behind to unload, I found it impossible to let the door. After examining the situation us all one of the cables that was back up under the truck, as I was backing up to where I was to unload. I've pull the cable out from under the truck and it showed signs of being ground and had come undone, however one had only slightly been ground and had not come undone. I call the one 800 number to report the problem, at some point I got response that they had no cables in stock and would need to come I on Monday this being a Thursday evening, as I best recall. I told the man on the phone, I wouldn't be here until after 12 Monday, and he said that was OK.

As I drove up the following Monday at approximately 12:45 I didn't see anyone so I called you all to explain no one had come to fix my truck. He then explains someone they came by but couldn't find the truck. I now believe that was a lie, he came by and found the truck, but no one was here. As I have now have learned, the door is too heavy for one man to lift, and re string the cables. As I... he said I was not to worry, the repair man had just left. For me to stay right here, as he was going to turn him around and send him back ASAP. About 15 maybe 20 minutes I solve this old ragged faded 24 foot U-Haul truck pulling down the small gravel road to my place. It with a the first words out of his mouth would be how sorry he was that I was having problems with my truck and he was here to fix it right away, no, no, no, no. The first words were, it is, all your fault the cables came down, because, you probably did not latch it properly. I asked him how he knew that without first examining door. He was very intimidating with his mouth, as he shouted how many years experience he had and that 98% of the time that's why the cables come undone.

Well not giving you a blow-by-blow, but he insisted on be helping him with the door stating. "Its too heavy for me to lift by myself, especially as hot a day that it is.I said yes, thats true, when its hot, its hard on a guy," so I said, "sure sure I give you a hand". And I did, after 20 or 30 minutes of distress, heat and fatigue and all the time standing all my equipment crushing things, he said," I found the problem and you or not the cause of this breakdown" he went on to explain to me that the inner spring had broke and that had allowed the tension to come off the door and thus allow the springs to drag behind the truck. He told me it was not a breakdown that he could fix over the road he can only fix that back at his shop in Norfolk, Virginia. He father informed me I needed to help him lift the door again and I did again he inserted a block of wood the size of a 2 x 4 that jam the door from coming down. Then he said you need to get this unloaded and deliver it to be in Norfolk there I did protest vigorously. I explained I rented a truck, I needed truck I'm already late, I have a time limit of 10 days, to pick up items that have bought at auction from the government.

Off other explain this was putting me in a bind can't you do something. He then stated since it is all our fault I will trot to get you a new truck one without problems because it's brand new, also I will try to get you extra days three maybe four, hang on let me make a few calls. He did make those calls and said go ahead and unloaded get it down to West Point that he will hold you this like new truck and its 2 feet longer also . You shouldn't have any problems with that truck. This day was extremely hot and humid. I told the driver I was going to back it up in my yard so we wouldn't have very far to carry anything we could just unload it right there behind the truck, could he please give me a hand. He said, I am already behind schedule the man that usually works this territory is on vacation, and I am having to cover two territories while he's out. There is no way, I can help you unload this truck. I asked him once maybe twice "you are saying, all I have to do is unloaded this truck driver down to West Point, and there will be no problems getting the newer truck it will be there right? . I've further inquired was the 2 x 4 going to stay right there, he explained to me in a real sarcastic tone, "Mr. I have been working for you all going all in 17 or 18 years, I know what I am talking about, I do this all the time and you will be perfectly safe, just go ahead unloaded, get it down to West Point. The sweat was rolling off the both of us, and I asked what it like a cold Coca-Cola, he looked at me and said sure. I quickly fetched him a cold Coca-Cola and one for myself. As we consumed the cold drink, I inquired once more in a very friendly tone, do you think you could give me a hand with a few of the heavy items, before you go? He almost choked the rest of the great down and bid me farewell and said it is against U-Haul policies for me to unload your items for you, I am sorry. Well I informed him right then, that sense I was already hot and tired it would probably be tomorrow before I can get the truck unloaded, he said that will work, they are holding the truck for you. There were other words past but pretty much that was that and he jumped in the truck and sped away. The next day I began to unload the truck, again it was a hot humid but somewhat misty day not rain just and on again off again mist. I had unloaded maybe 7 , 8 or nine items, when out of the corner of my worst nightmare unfolded before my eyes. The 2x4 fell, then I saw stars, I found myself pen under this door. At first the pain was severe but it began to subside however my breathing was becoming impossible, making a long story short I almost died. I was hospitalized in intensive care for a while upon release I have undergone some doctors treatments one being steroids injections in my lower back. I took out the maximum out of insurance that was available through U-Haul that resulted in me getting $1000 many many many months later from U-HAUL my lawyer took half. I can't not work with pain, I am almost financially ruined I cannot even afford the gas it takes to run back and forth to all these doctors let alone attorneys, it is true I feel I'm getting better but now the steroid shops are wearing off, however, my life has been changed drastically because of this accident. They{U-Haul} have hired a law firm, I have met with them personally, they gave me the illusion that they really truly want to settle but needed a little information before they could. They alluded to things like but not limited to.,, we had to make sure of your truthfulness, because many people fake their injuries, and tried to sue when there's really nothing wrong with them, the lawyers for U-Haul LURED me in to chat with them, explaining once they get to know me they'll be any better position to recommend to the insurance and U-Haul a settlement. I took the bait, because of my financial plight and found out quickly they want to know and find that all the dirt about me. I was asked me questions like but not limited to, tell me abide this bankruptcy your company filed, tell me abide this lawsuit in Currituck NC and then they asked me about my employment record starting back in the 80s, my education and a dispute between myself and a man I purchased some land, from. when I inquired, what that had to do with my lawsuit, he explained to me, how this was all about getting to know me, what kind of man I was. Then he asked me what the name of my first wife and my second wife's name also, and my daughters name also. When I inquired what that was all about, well they may know things about you that you've done wrong, it bad dealings you had, we have got to check out everything. And tried to convince me this was normal and that if I did not cooperate they would subpoena the records anyway. They further asked me about my tax filings how much money I made list the places you worked at. All aimed at gathering dirt on me. There was very little talk about or realistic settlement, a fair settlement.

as a former U-Haul employee do you have anything positive or negative but more importantly truthful to add to the above.

Yours truly

Larry P
Providence Forge, Virginia
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on U-Haul