Archive for the ‘U-Haul investigation’ Category

U-Haul Phantom Traffic Ticket/Fee?

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Interested in knowing if anyone else has experienced, after returning a U-haul rented moving truck back to U-haul, and after U-haul re-takes possession, later receiving notice that U-haul claims to have paid on your behalf a $25 traffic/parking ticket/citation (or any amount) with a $30 administrative fee (or any amount) and a $25 penalty (or any amount). Also you were charged an environmental fee. Basically, you know that YOU the customer did not personally receive the citation. The collection company hired by U-haul also tries to get the you to pay this alleged and disputed debt. No proof or validation of the actual citation, time, date, charges/grounds for the citation is ever produced.

Note: this post is from an Alabama attorney.  If you have a valid response, please leave a comment below, or email us and we will forward his email address to you. Thx. 

UPDATE 11/16/10: it appears that this attorney’s email addy is no longer active, so we are unable to forward any details until he contacts us again.  Still, you are encouraged to post your experiences regarding this topic as the information may be relevant anyway.

Inside Edition Investigates U-Haul Trailer Safety in NJ.

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Trailer safety is discussed in this video.  It states that safety pamphlets are supposed to be distributed with all U-Haul trailer rentals; but only one out of 14 rental agents randomly visited in the Bergen County, New Jersey area gave out the safety booklet with a trailer rental.  This booklet contains critical information about properly loading a trailer. 

This video segment demonstrates that most of the weight should be loaded toward the front of a trailer, and that disasterous consequences could result from most of the weight being loaded toward the back of the trailer.

Traffic safety officers with the Bergen County Police Department inspected the 14 trailers randomly rented and found that four of the 14 trailers had directional or hazard lights that didn’t work, as well as numerous other safety violations such as rusted chains, frayed wire, no brake fluid and vital safety info worn off.

Joe Shoen (U-Haul’s CEO) invites you to call his cell phone if you feel unsafe when renting a U-Haul trailer: 602-390-6525.

Los Angeles Times Investigates U-Haul.

Tuesday, June 26th, 2007

The L.A. Times published the findings of a three-part investigation of U-Haul:

Driving with rented risks
In the first part (6/24/07), the Times investigation finds the company’s practices raise the risk of accidents on the road.

Upkeep lags in U-Haul’s aging fleet
In the second part (6/25/07), the Times found many trucks have high mileage and safety checks were often overdue; customers describe breakdowns and accidents.

Key trial evidence goes missing
Injured customers suing U-Haul over accidents have sought key equipment, only to find it lost or discarded (6/26/07).

U-Haul Gets Hauled Into Court Over Refueling Charges.

Friday, October 6th, 2006

A class action lawsuit against U-Haul of California and U-Haul International, Inc. contends that U-Haul’s refueling charges and practices violate the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and the California Unfair Competition Law.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/10/uhaul_fuel.html