As a seasoned adult, I have learned over time, that one of the most dishonest businesses out there are in the moving / relocation industry. I'm not saying that all movers are dishonest or that all companies are not reputable - just that there are an awful lot of them out there that are rather...crooked.
Over the years, through my own experience and through hearing the horror stories of others, I have learned that when it comes to hiring a moving company (renting trucks, especially) you must dot every "I" and cross every "T". Read the contract and if it "smells" funny - don't be afraid to just walk away.
So, when my daughter planned to relocate and searched for a moving truck, I did what any mom would do...reminded her to read the contract. Reminded her to check the truck over - check the gas levels and mileage. I advised her to purchase their insurance (or they WILL blame every bump & bruise on you). I thought she would be okay. She has a good head on her shoulders.
Thankfully she does, or perhaps, she would have been taken a lot worse than she was.
When she arrived at a Budget Rental location in California, she quickly learned that the terms that she was quoted on the phone were different than what they stated over the phone. Uh oh - the bait and switch. She argued with them for the rate she was quoted and was told that she would have to contact the corporate office - that there was nothing they could do. She needed a truck and moved forward. She looked over the truck and thought that she had everything covered. Then she left the lot to go fill the empty tank. It was here at the gas station, after she filled the tank - when a passerby informed her that her tail lights were not working. Well this seemed rather dangerous - more so, since she would be travelling a great distance at night. So she went back to the Budget lot and asked them if they could change the bulbs. They told her they could not, that she would have to take the truck as is. This is were my daughters level head comes in...she argued back with them that it was not safe and that she wanted her money back and she wanted to be reimbursed for the gas. Again, they told her that they could not - she was stuck with the truck. She was told if she had issues: contact the corporate office. Finally, after challenging the legality and safety of driving a truck with no tail lights, they agreed to give her a different truck. Again, the gas tank was on empty, but now they had to reprocess paperwork and this is where it was discovered that they charged her card an additional $150. They assured her that it was returned to her account - it has yet to be (& they have told her that they wont even look into it until she forwards her bank statement to them!).
So my daughter completes her move and tries to return the truck to the location that she was told to take it to. Big surprise! It does not exist! My daughter locates another Budget location and returns the truck there and complains about the other branch. This location seems sympathetic - but doesn't help.
Upon returning home, this is where she learns that not only did Budget not return her $150, but that now someone is using her card fraudulently. They stole her card information and are making charges all over town!
My daughter starts the process of cancelling the card and the beginning stages of filing for fraud. Would you believe that even when she went into her bank (Wells Fargo), they told her they could not help her: that she would have to call their customer service number!
This is just the beginning of cleaning up this mess - but I want to know...What the heck is wrong with people? Why is it "okay" within a persons conscience, within a persons soul - to screw over someone else? Why is it that moving companies have a reputation of being slimy and no one does anything about it? Why is it okay to steal a persons identity? Where did this entitlement come from? What is going on with our society? And people wonder why businesses fail?
So okay, we wont solve the worlds problems today, my daughters bank account and moving issues wont be resolved today, but goodness - we can all certainly do our part to make this world a better place - couldn't we? Heck, customer service is NOT spelled with the Big F-U! Why do we accept this?
Over the years, through my own experience and through hearing the horror stories of others, I have learned that when it comes to hiring a moving company (renting trucks, especially) you must dot every "I" and cross every "T". Read the contract and if it "smells" funny - don't be afraid to just walk away.
So, when my daughter planned to relocate and searched for a moving truck, I did what any mom would do...reminded her to read the contract. Reminded her to check the truck over - check the gas levels and mileage. I advised her to purchase their insurance (or they WILL blame every bump & bruise on you). I thought she would be okay. She has a good head on her shoulders.
Thankfully she does, or perhaps, she would have been taken a lot worse than she was.
When she arrived at a Budget Rental location in California, she quickly learned that the terms that she was quoted on the phone were different than what they stated over the phone. Uh oh - the bait and switch. She argued with them for the rate she was quoted and was told that she would have to contact the corporate office - that there was nothing they could do. She needed a truck and moved forward. She looked over the truck and thought that she had everything covered. Then she left the lot to go fill the empty tank. It was here at the gas station, after she filled the tank - when a passerby informed her that her tail lights were not working. Well this seemed rather dangerous - more so, since she would be travelling a great distance at night. So she went back to the Budget lot and asked them if they could change the bulbs. They told her they could not, that she would have to take the truck as is. This is were my daughters level head comes in...she argued back with them that it was not safe and that she wanted her money back and she wanted to be reimbursed for the gas. Again, they told her that they could not - she was stuck with the truck. She was told if she had issues: contact the corporate office. Finally, after challenging the legality and safety of driving a truck with no tail lights, they agreed to give her a different truck. Again, the gas tank was on empty, but now they had to reprocess paperwork and this is where it was discovered that they charged her card an additional $150. They assured her that it was returned to her account - it has yet to be (& they have told her that they wont even look into it until she forwards her bank statement to them!).
So my daughter completes her move and tries to return the truck to the location that she was told to take it to. Big surprise! It does not exist! My daughter locates another Budget location and returns the truck there and complains about the other branch. This location seems sympathetic - but doesn't help.
Upon returning home, this is where she learns that not only did Budget not return her $150, but that now someone is using her card fraudulently. They stole her card information and are making charges all over town!
My daughter starts the process of cancelling the card and the beginning stages of filing for fraud. Would you believe that even when she went into her bank (Wells Fargo), they told her they could not help her: that she would have to call their customer service number!
This is just the beginning of cleaning up this mess - but I want to know...What the heck is wrong with people? Why is it "okay" within a persons conscience, within a persons soul - to screw over someone else? Why is it that moving companies have a reputation of being slimy and no one does anything about it? Why is it okay to steal a persons identity? Where did this entitlement come from? What is going on with our society? And people wonder why businesses fail?
So okay, we wont solve the worlds problems today, my daughters bank account and moving issues wont be resolved today, but goodness - we can all certainly do our part to make this world a better place - couldn't we? Heck, customer service is NOT spelled with the Big F-U! Why do we accept this?
If nothing else...I can do my part and advise you to dot your "I's" and cross your "T's", especially when dealing with moving companies! If you ever find yourself needing to rent a truck, you must not go in thinking that they are going to take care of you, that you can trust them. Because they wont and you cant. You must go in with your eyes wide open and look for the ways that they are trying to take advantage of you and never be afraid to just walk away from the deal when you feel that "something" just isn't right. Afterall, if it quacks like a duck - chances are it probably is! So for me, my Golden Enema Award goes to: Budget Rental Company! Way to go!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment