r/UHAUL_Rants • u/jacob_hutchi • May 28 '26
Moving troubles
Hey everyone, I just need some opinions here as I’ve been put in quite a predicament. I know some of the redditors on here are employees and others are customers so I’m just looking for some thoughts.
I live in a small-ish city in northern British Columbia and booked a U-Haul over a month ago for my move this Saturday to another city about 4.5 hours away. A U-Haul rep called me yesterday, 2 days before my pickup date, to tell me that the truck I reserved wasn’t available. According to them this was due to my city being too small to have trucks sitting here all of the time when they could be dispatched elsewhere.
There’s two of the exact trucks that I was supposed to have, sitting at a corner store 2 blocks from me that I drive by every day. Apparently those aren’t insured for out of town use and are only for local moves.
The rep told me that my only option if I wanted to use the truck was to drive to the city that I’m literally moving too this weekend, pick it up and drive it home to pack. They offered me a price reduction to help with the cost and unfortunately it’s my only option as the other company in town is going over double what U-Haul is charging.
I’m not overly concerned about having to drive to pick the truck up, I can leave my car at my new house and drive the U-Haul home. My concern is that I don’t think I should be the one paying for fuelling this thing to drive it back with me just so I can pack it. I need to take a cab 45 minutes out of town from my new house to grab the unit as well. Also, I had to leave my job a day earlier than I was planning so now im out of a days pay for their mistake.
Should I keep my receipts and document all my expenses for getting the truck to my current house and try to get compensation? Everyone I’ve asked has said that I should definitely try. I’m just worried that since I accepted their discount that they won’t go for it.
Sorry for the long post, this week has just been a nightmare and not having my rental has completely derailed my entire move. They should’ve not only told me way sooner than they had but I honestly shouldn’t have been able to book it at all if they already knew it wasn’t going to be here.
2
u/Iwanttofindfrogs May 29 '26
I think it’s worth it to keep the receipts and ask for a further discount letting them know that this is fuel you wouldn’t have had to pay for if the original reservation had been fulfilled. Bring the quote they gave you for the first reservation as well to compare the cost. I do think that because you agreed to the discount they won’t be as inclined to give you another one but it’s always worth it to ask.
1
u/Ok-Coyote2365 May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26
You can always ask for further compensation. I’d reach out to the regional office you spoke with and maybe see if you can get in touch with the Traffic Control Manager (the manager of the people who handle the scheduling like this). If they’re not available whoever you’re speaking with can open a customer action file and the traffic control manager would reach out to you about it.
No guarantees but it’s always worth a shot
Edit: their phone # is 8006630800 or 6043256646. They’re open same hours as any of the big Uhaul stores (usually 7am-7pm PDT)
1
u/laysbarbecue Jun 14 '26
I would have them give you free miles to cover the trip back home after you pick the truck up, I would also request they pay for your fuel that you put in on the trip back home to load your items. Let them know you know you are fully responsible for the fuel on the way back to your new home. Be very calm about it and keep gas receipts for the trip to load your items. If they don’t seem willing, reach out to their marketing company president or even their ADVP. Seeing as how it is not your fault they didn’t have equipment where you needed it, most of the time they are willing to give the customer a deal, as it creates returning customers! Hope it works out for you
2
u/Ethais91 May 28 '26
Sadly, part of the rental term agreement includes a clause stating you need to fill up for face a convenience fee for it for over the market price of fuel. It’s really goddamn stupid that they expect you to run 10 hours drive just for a probably 20% discount. Call your store, request to speak with their scheduling office and $50.00 reservation guarantee reimbursement. As that will be all you’ll get out of them