U-Haul Sucks

U-Haul Sucks, But Where Else Can You Go?

It was moving time for me and I needed a truck.  U-Haul sucks, but where else could I go?

Penske

Penske - Doesn't Suck

My usual go-to.  What Penske has that U-Haul doesn't:

• Calling the phone number online will get you directly to the dude working the counter
• Trucks are nicer
• Booking is easier, they don't try to up-sell you
• It's ran like a well oiled machine.  Like anything Old Man Penske put his hands on.

Unfortunately, my branch closed for renovations and the nearest available location was 40 miles away

Budget

Budget - Doesn't Suck Either

The backup plan.  What does Budget do well that U-Haul doesn't:

• Lower Prices
• Funny signs - The Budget Truck rental on Grand River northwest of Detroit had a permanent sign out front that said "Trucks across the street are more expensive"  
• What was across the street?  U-Haul.  Gotta love it

My local branch was all sold out.  Gah.


U-Haul

U-Haul Sucks

What U-Haul does that the other guys don't:

• Calling the number of your local store puts you through to a call center, where a dude unaffiliated with your local (often franchised) branch books or changes reservations that the local branch then un-reserves or changes again
• Make promises they can't enforce remotely from the call center
• Sell you a truck rental that you don't actually have
• Try to up-sell you with every sentence

So I talk to Uhaul Call Center Dude (UCCD) and get my truck all booked.  No, I don't want tape.  No boxes please.  No, I'm sure I don't want boxes.  No, I don't need a dolly.  No, I don't want tie straps.  No, no, no.  Just let me book a truck dammit.

The U.C.C.D.s

Okay UCCD says, "you'll get a call at 6PM tomorrow confirming your reservation for the day after."  That's weird, why do I need a confirmation call for something that UCCD says is already booked?  UCCD says it's just standard practice.  Okay, weird.

U-Haul didn't follow through.  I received a text message at 8AM from U-Haul confirming my reservation... the location changed, the time changed.  Am I still getting a phone call?  I called up the new U-Haul location and was put through to a call center, this time a different UCCD was there to help.

U-Haul - Sorry dude, you ain't getting a truck!

- Axle