I had a reservation at a location in Caldwell, ID - close to my storage unit (Emptying it). I got called the day before and told that I'd be going to this location in Nampa. it is 27min from the other location. It made no sense until a Uhaul person stated the franchise owner didn't wanna lose the "rental".
First, getting to this location is not as simple as I had assumed it would be. Its directly off of a VERY busy road that is one lane in each direction. The driveway is also the driveway for storage units, there is nothing saying entrance/exit. The driveway itself is unlike other U-haul locations as it's made for a storage place. Other U-haul locations have wide birth driveways. Not this one. They opened at 9:30. I saw the trailer was hooked to the Uhaul. I had explained I would pick up the Uhaul, empty the storage unit and return for the trailer to head home. The woman at the counter said I couldn't do that because they were going to "Close soon". (This was 9:35-9:40 a.m.?). The guy checked me in. He was nice enough UNTIL he asked if my husband or brother were with me (I'm a woman). I need a man to rent a U-haul? He went on to ask if I've ever driven a big truck - and moved on to experience with a trailer. I kinda laughed and explained PLENTY of experience. Gave examples in addition to my U-haul history. He "informed me" that had I brought someone with me, I wouldn't need to tow my car. Ya don't say?! The whole conversation was condescending. I'd normally have told him off but I needed the damn truck. Fast forward to us out front, we go and put my car on the trailer. he asks if I've used "Ratchet" straps before. Yes, actually daily - I explain and even gave him examples. (I keep them in my trunk ironically). He then walks me thru how to use a ratchet strap as if I need it. THEN he realizes one of the safety chains is wrapped too tight on the trailer and he cannot free it. I see my chance to leave my car then and go back to plan A, I say to him "Look, you need to deal with the trailer or replace it - I'm seriously just going to clear my storage unit out- will take less than an hour, how about we go back to my original plan and you can deal with the trailer while I'm filling the U-Haul? What time were you guys planning on walking out the door? He scratches his head and then says "We close at 3pm." (I'm internally LIVID as 3pm is NOT "closing soon" as the woman had stated. He says fine. I remove my car from the trailer and park. I jump into the Uhau- its at 1/4 a tank, the windshield is COVERED in bug guts. You cannot see out of it. (I Have NEVER had this experience at any other U-Haul. I tell the guy and he says "Yeah, you'll need to stop at a gas station." AT NO time did he walk me around the U-haul like other locations have done either. I'm now already late to meet my friends @ storage unit. I do my storage unit, head back and back up to the trailer. Same guy comes out and hooks the trailer up. I load my car up on the trailer and he secures it and tells me to drive safe as he walks back inside. I FULLY understand the need to ask anyone if they've ever driven a U-Haul whatever size or something equivalent. I also agree with asking if the person has ever towed anything, because if not they would need a fast course education on it. THIS is not what/how I was asked. It genuinely was the male pig version of thinking because I'm a woman I must not be able to. I'm not even a girly girl. I have had to rent a few U-Hauls in the past 2 years for various reasons and all were stellar. THIS is my first HORRIBLE unreal experience ever experienced at a U-Haul. I still laugh sorta at the staff being concerned about me driving a U-haul as a woman but not a damn effort or thought at the fact you couldn't see outta the windshield - COMPLETE safety issue. DO NOT USE this location. They do not have any business even carrying the name "U-Haul". read more