Renting Experience (1 Viewer)

SchadenfreudeFree

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I thought I'd post our recent experience with renting a VW Westphalia T25 from xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx so that others could learn from it. A few of these issues we were told about, on the day of picking it up, after we'd made full payment. The rest we discovered ourselves. Some of our points:

The only time we fully filled up the van, it stank of petrol fumes throughout it for the next 36 hours.
The interior lights throughout the back didn't work. My fiancé later discovered a wire hanging out in an overhead compartment. I managed to push it back in, and the lights came on. My surprise at how firmly this was then embedded was explained when having left it in, we discovered at 5am that a motor was whirring away under the chassis. Perhaps this is a known problem that was never mentioned? We put the wire back in its original position and kept all of the interior lights off.
There were a few working blinds, some were broken, and there were no curtains; the light flooded in from an early hour.
The gas hobs' base had been totally broken off the rest of the unit, meaning that pulling it out and putting it back was very tricky.
The van stalled no less than four times when I stopped at roundabouts and traffic lights.
The passenger's electric window button would occasionally not work at all for hours on end. By chance, this never happened when we were parking and the window was down.
The boot's piston didn't work at all, so getting luggage in and out was difficult, since it is so heavy.
The small zipper compartments on the wall had virtually no working zips, which meant they were practically useless.
The driver's electric window buttons were hanging off the door all the time, with the wiring also hanging out.
The brakes were very soft, and it took a lot of pushing and a long time to come to a halt safely.

In comparison to our last van, the overall state of the vehicle was poor. Old cushions, many scratches and scrapes on the bodywork and more. All in all, Just Go, for a similar amount of money had provided us with a pristine, much larger van, with better facilities. (I have no affiliation with them, its just my sole other experience). I had assumed that the lack of a shower and space in this van would be made up for by the quality of the rest of the van. Especially since their website describes it as 'built in the 1980's as a moving hotel room for German sales reps!'. Some hotel.
 
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Nov 6, 2011
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As a matter of interest, how much did they charge you for this experience?

Keith (n)
 
Nov 18, 2011
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Maybe you should take up the issue with them the only advice I could give you for your next hire experience is check the van over before accepting it
and if it's not safe don't take it if the brakes weren't right why did you continue to use it
it is the drivers responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is road worthy before taking it on the public HI way
whether it is a hire vehicle or not
bill

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Judge Mental

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how old was the T25?..15-20 years + ?

its a classic camper hardly just off the production line. my favorite van ever.......sob sob



(not sure whats happening with the sizing but hey ho :))

I think Jim's suspicions realised and this simple a knocking/promotion exercise. Your choice of screen name says it all..a poor show to be honest
 
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SchadenfreudeFree

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No, not a poor show at all. I'm happy to have the names removed to comply with the rules, and can understand why that is, but you appear to be living up to your name Judgemental. I'm not involved in any 'knocking' exercise, I have no vested interests in any camper van company, I'm simply warning others of my experience. If you want to take off the name of the other company that I mentioned in a better light, feel free.

Also, if I felt that the van was entirely unroadworthy, I wouldn't have taken it out. Which is by no means the same as saying 'what a great value trip at £91 a night'. Apparently, because of its age that must mean the parlous state was just fine?! If you were paying for it, you wouldn't have been saying that.

Its a great shame that other people might make the same mistake, but then given some of the comments here, I suppose that's just their tough luck.

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Gorse Hill

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No, not a poor show at all. I'm happy to have the names removed to comply with the rules, and can understand why that is, but you appear to be living up to your name Judgemental. I'm not involved in any 'knocking' exercise, I have no vested interests in any camper van company, I'm simply warning others of my experience. If you want to take off the name of the other company that I mentioned in a better light, feel free.

Also, if I felt that the van was entirely unroadworthy, I wouldn't have taken it out. Which is by no means the same as saying 'what a great value trip at £91 a night'. Apparently, because of its age that must mean the parlous state was just fine?! If you were paying for it, you wouldn't have been saying that.

Its a great shame that other people might make the same mistake, but then given some of the comments here, I suppose that's just their tough luck.

I think you are right to bring the poor quality of service you have received to the attention of people on this forum, I often see posts where people are considering renting, more than likely new to M/H and your experience would obviously be of help/interest to them and when we ALL started out we are the ones that need the most help
Maybe people have been a little quick to judge the post (apart from the ringleader who, as you accept, has to ensure fair play) and am sure had it been a regular contributor to the forum
It would have been an interesting post. Since you have considered M/H as a form of holiday don't let one bad experience put you off and for a tenner get a years subs here where you will find everything you need to know about future M/H trips and as a member it takes out that doubt that your not looking to gain from the post but to educate
 

icantremember

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Firstly :welc:

Then, the motorhome way of life is an on going learning experience and unfortunately you appear to have had an unpleasant start .... May I suggest you put this bad experience behind you ..... there are some very reputable hire companies out there one of which would be Johns Cross Motorhomes in Sussex, who is a member on this forum and gives Funster discounts.:)

As you are a paid-up fully fledged Funster (y) why not message Jim with a request to change your forum name to something with a happier meaning for you and you won't be continually reminded of this episode ...... enjoy your future in motorhoming.:cheers:
 

DBK

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If your fiance is still speaking to you after this episode it speaks well for your relationship!
But what had company X have to say? I think you have a strong case for a big rebate.
The lesson seems to me that hire vehicles need to be well checked over and the features demonstrated by the hirer so the renter can be assured everything works. The window buttons hanging off the driver's door must have been pretty obvious so should have set the alarm bells ringing.
I'm not trying to be critical, just trying to tease out the lessons so others can learn from your experience.

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ukbill

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maybe im wrong but i think you have paid to join this forum just to shame a company if im wrong then amen
we all make mistakes but like judgmental said your name says it all
 
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If your fiance is still speaking to you after this episode it speaks well for your relationship!
But what had company X have to say? I think you have a strong case for a big rebate.
The lesson seems to me that hire vehicles need to be well checked over and the features demonstrated by the hirer so the renter can be assured everything works. The window buttons hanging off the driver's door must have been pretty obvious so should have set the alarm bells ringing.


The thing is , when you start.... you don't know which questions are essential! You might think about the most obvious as a car's owner , but for the rest, you're going a tad blind!

The best of course would have been to ask here what to put on the check list but , again... would you think of a specialised forum to be helped.... People not going a lot on internet would not think about this option, I think....

First experience is there... to teach you. Not always the easiest way to learn , but I bet next time will be much much better

Amicalement


Frankie:)
 

Judge Mental

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+ most hire companies run new vans for 6/12 months tops and then sell on to minimise the loss as mileage goes up. Renting a 20 year old Classic VW....... Really? what do you expect!lol

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ukbill

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frankie spongy brakes wires hanging out just around the block is enough to know the van is a liability
 
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The thing is , when you start.... you don't know which questions are essential! You might think about the most obvious as a car's owner , but for the rest, you're going a tad blind!

The best of course would have been to ask here what to put on the check list but , again... would you think of a specialised forum to be helped.... People not going a lot on internet would not think about this option, I think....

First experience is there... to teach you. Not always the easiest way to learn , but I bet next time will be much much better

Amicalement


Frankie:)
my nice rented a 30yo vw camper from a company in Scotland but that was spot on
it had been completely rebuilt and renovated they had it for a week with no problems
if you are paying £91 pounds a night I would also be wanting gold plated
to
If you hire you expect it to be as advertised and be road worthy
The sale of good act 1979 states it should be fit for purpose
the OP made the mistake of accepting the van in a un road worthy condition.
and there firs post no introduction just straight in to slating the company off was there first mistake.
bill
 
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hilldweller

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>> Renting Experience

More a Ranting Experience !

Don't get mad get even, sue them.

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Nov 18, 2011
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If you were paying for it, you wouldn't have been saying that.
if I was paying for it I would have inspected the van and asked for my money back under the sale of good act 1979 at £91 pound a night you expect it to be right?
like I sad in my previous post the driver has to take all reasonable care to ensure that the vehicle they are driving is fit for the road traffic act 1988
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/contents
 

Bobndebs McKay

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Can I just say from a safety point of view, if anything smelt of petrol, AND the electrics were intermittant, the possibility of an arc/spark leading to explosion is very real. I for one am glad you have posted, the name of the company removed is a good idea, but the warning stands for all potential renters. It is easy to state what is obvious after the fact, and just like quizzes, the answers are easy when you know them. Good Luck on your future ventures.
 

Gorse Hill

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+ most hire companies run new vans for 6/12 months tops and then sell on to minimise the loss as mileage goes up. Renting a 20 year old Classic VW....... Really? what do you expect!lol
So your saying that at £91 a night you would think it acceptable to provide a van with all the faults mentioned and be happy, I don't think you would given your name on here judgemental and neither would I
We are both lucky, you more than I as you have far more experience than me on M/H, in that we have other people on this forum who have rented 30yrs old VW campers and as billthedrill indicated you can hire these vans in pristine condition
I do accept that as it is a old van you will have some problems, however having read billthedrill post indicating he got a mint van and sure you agree it is possible to provide a 30 yr old van in new condition
Now i only know that bit of info because am on fun, which is why I pointed out to the OP to join

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Judge Mental

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I do agree.... hardly rent a wreck prices!..but its caveat emptor (buyer beware) and that applies to anything we choose to do. we are all adults and responsible for doing our own research and homework. but still think the post stinks
 
D

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Surely he had the option to look over the van first and reject it if it was really that bad? I know I did the one and only time I rented. Even if it was just the brakes he could have turned round and taken it back. He/she wasn't forced to rent it.
 

Puddleduck

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Please take your problems up with the company concerned and update us with the results - if any. You should also involve trading standards.

We once hired a boat for touring inland waterways that broke down after 4 hours - got our money back but no holiday as we couldn't get alternative accommodation (all booked up).

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Kool Kroozer

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We Hired a few times before buying, first was a brand new Bessicar that only had about 1200 miles on the clock ( I think we were the second peeps to rent it) while down the new forest the bloody thing broke down - that was the final straw ! I had already rang them while on our journey to tell them a panel on the floor in the gully had lifted up while we were on the motorway and frightened our daughter to death as she could see the road while going along - then the bathroom door kept swinging open while driving too - half the outside locker doors was stuck and i had to f**k about with the key to get them open to turn the gas on, 3 days into a holiday we came home as all the electrics packed up - total cost was around £700 and it took about 2 months to get part of the money back £400 the company i am glad to say went into liquidation a couple of months later - we have hired 2 PVC from a local garage and had no problems at all with them at a cost of around £500
 

Judge Mental

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helped an an english army lad with his family stationed in Germany last year. on Fussen stellplatz. Did not have a clue (bless em) what to do with the heating..associated water. in his hired CB. Hire company had explained everything, but when all new to you there is a lot to take in. Managed to get water on board and explain the heating/dump valve (trauma dontcha just love em) so his wife and kids could finally have showers after 4 days......
 

MattR

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We hired a PVC mh from Broken Link Removed and their service was excellent; we had an issue with the leisure battery and they dealt with it perfectly even though we were hundreds of miles away.

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GWAYGWAY

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[QUOTE=" heating/dump valve (trauma dontcha just love em) ...[/QUOTE]
Frost tonight ????????? THAT just reminded me to go out and dump the valve.
 

Judge Mental

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Well...it should dump on its own? And your right a frosty morning here in London....
 
OP
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SchadenfreudeFree

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I contacted the company twice DevonBeekeeper, nothing was ever heard from them.

Trading Standards seem to be taking an interest, which is good. Strangely enough they don't seem to cackle 'caveat emptor' gleefully. Although my new tag says it all on that account.

Many thanks to all those who were supportive. The next trip will be a damn sight better I'm sure (y)

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Silver-Fox

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Am i thick, don't answer :), or what?

I cant see whats wrong with the OP name

Please help confused of Cheltenham
 

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