U-Haul Trucks, U-Haul International Old truck unsuitable for cross continent move. Pd over $5,500 & they're now demanding much more. Have co-driver witness. Phoenix Arizona

I reserved a 26' truck well in advance of a clearly stated cross continent move. The truck was the only one there the day of pick up. I had a co-driver.
We left B.C., Canada for Nova scotia on June 10th via the northern U.S.A. because of cheaper gas prices. I pd. in excess of $5,500 in advance.

The truck turned out to be 8 yrs. old. It leaked rain. An elderly, ill dog travelled in the cab with us. We accidentally spilled his water a couple of times & watched it run under the mats and out of the bottom of the truck. So much cold air blew in through the door handle area on the pass. side that I placed a folded tarp between me & the door.

The right side round mirror that shows traffic coming up on the inside lane dangled uselessly & would not stay in place.It sucked gas. There were no door pockets for maps & the dash canted towards the seat, so nothing would stay on it.

A couple of days into the trip the truck would not go more than 30-35 m.p.h. on uphill grades causing a great deal of delay. Also, late at night in Massachusetts, unable to find a room for the night and being overtired, I accidentally bent a rear, outside rim & blew a tire. It was reported immediately & I was told I'd receive added time.

Today, July 24th I rec'd a bill forwarded to me from B.C. from U-Haul demanding an immediate payment of more than $1,300. The truck had been ret'd June 21st(I was supposed to have it back on the 19th, so I was 1&1/2 days late). The depot was closed at noon, so nobody was there when I put the key through the door except the co-driver.

I have called Visa & asked that they not honour bills submitted by U-Haul, has already been done. I'm told that they can't abide by my request without proof of being told that there were problems with the truck & that I was told I'd be given added time.

I have my receipts, the report I.D.# from the night of the tire blow-out & additional supporting info. I also had to file a report with the State police & mail data in to them after I got here.

I'm really interested in hearing if there are any lawyers out there who'd take this on. The invoice for $1,300+ included a very threatening letter & indicated an intent to send it to collection and lawyers to collect. That amount of money represents almost every cent I live on each month. However, even if I did have lots of money, I'd be objecting to this just as strenuously.

That's about it. I'm looking forward to a reply. Thanks!

Katherine
River Philip, Nova Scotia
Canada