How to lose a customer for $20.00
On July 3rd, our plan was to move my daughter from Battle Creek, to Grand Blanc, Michigan. But, the death of my mom on July 1st kind of screwed up those plans "just a bit". So, upon returning from the funeral (4 hours drive, out of town), my wife called the UHaul Rental place we had used to "reserve" a trailer to cancel the rental. Since we were canceling only 4 hours from pick up time (around noon) I figured we would either have to pay a small cancellation fee, or pay for the rental's use, regardless. Keep in mind: I was not looking for a freebie here. I was completely willing to pay the $29.99 daily rental!!
Upon calling Level Park Hardware, my wife spoke to a young lady that informed her that a cancellation within 24 hours incurred a $50 penalty. This seemed odd, and my wife verified: We were canceling a $29.99 rental, and were getting a $50 penalty? Yup, that's the rules, nothing we can do about it (the lady said). It's all UHaul's fault. So, we agreed to rent the trailer anyway, since we didn't really want to hassle with things.
My wife and I went to the rental place (Again, Level Park Hardware in Springfield/Battle Creek, Michigan - at 3144 West Michigan Ave - Phone: 269-968-1655), and went to the rental counter (which we have rented from before on 5 occasions in the past year without incident - and evidently without earning ANY good will as return customers). What took place is the biggest cluster I have ever witnessed.
I explained to the young man with food on in his beard (yuck!) that we did wish to pay for the full rental, but we didn't actually want to pick the trailer up. He was understandably confused, so I elaborated that to avoid a $50 penalty, we would rent the trailer, and not pick it up. They could do the paperwork, we would sign it out, and sign it back in - and they could be free to re-rent the trailer for the weekend. He refused (since we didn't have a vehicle to take the trailer with, we were driving a car without a towing package). So, I agreed to return with my van (which has a 10,000 pound towing capacity) and pick up the trailer - even though we didn't need it.
We went home. We called UHaul. We spoke to a nice person on the phone who agreed that a $50 penalty on a $30 contract was excessive. They said, and I quote, "Go back, rent the trailer, drive it around the block, and take it back".
We got my van, we returned to Level Park Hardware. Where, I was told that our credit card had already been hit for $50, for the cancellation fee. Now, I am not an attorney, but I think that is credit card fraud. And, I intend to pursue it.
I was also called names by the owner Barry, who said to me, and I quote: "If you don't want to be treated like some freak, maybe you shouldn't have gotten all those tattoo's".
Wow. I guess I don't need to mention that I will, uh, NEVER go back to Level Park Hardware for ANY reason.
As a 12 year Army Vet, I am planning to contact the local VFW and complain. Then the better business bureau, the Michigan State department for consumer fraud and complaints, and just about every other agencey I can think of.
I have never been treated so poorly!!!
Tattoo'd Freak! read more