Had a horrible experience renting from William F. Whites. Will not be going back.
Maybe it was because my production was too small. Maybe my order didn't hit the dollar threshold they require for them to actually care. Maybe it was because I'm not a local (I work and live in LA). Every e-mail or phone call I had with this company was tense. I felt like I was putting them out, as if they were really annoyed to be dealing with me. This is not what I call customer service.
For example: across different regions, certain gear is called different things. This is normal. We came across this a few times with my LA lingo and their Canadian lingo. They were completely uninterested in trying to figure out what I was trying to order. "We don't carry that." Was the standard response. And what they "didn't carry" they were uninterested in sub renting or suggesting other rental houses to me, seeing as how I'm not a local and didn't know where else to go. I found out later that they did indeed have everything I was looking for, it was just called something different. Thanks guys.
The gear was also falling a part. Literally held together with gaff tape or plastic wrap. I'm assuming I got the "D Team" package. I can't imagine this is the gear they rent out to everyone.
On the plus side, the truck driver was very nice and super helpful. That guy gets 5 stars.
I actually had an identical shoot a few weeks later, with the exact same set-up and gear. My experience was so bad, that even though it would have been super easy to send them an email and ask for the verbatim same package I got a few weeks earlier, I took my business elsewhere.
I ended up going to Fusion Cine. They didn't have everything I needed, but were willing to sub rent everything they couldn't provide. Gear was impeccable, customer service very attentive, and the package was actually a bit cheaper.
So, unless you're shooting McCabe & Mrs. Miller 2, I'd recommend steering clear of these guys. Apparently they don't need your business. read more