2009 Penske Truck Rental Bad Experience (furniture, move to, garage, location)

[arly]

Originally Posted by drjones96

As a frequent gas buyer I can attest that gas was in the $2.XX range and not $3.XX during that time.



BAH! There is certainly more to see of it than the view from the interstate. I challenge you to come back to MO and see the highlights of the Show Me State. Some of the best scenery in the country I garantee you.

Well sorry sorry sorry, I misquoted the gas price. Without looking at the gas receipts I thought it was over $3.00. For all of you that jumped all over me about the price of the diesel gas, what the heck is with you!? My story was to be careful and make sure you verify that Penske has done a full maintenance check on their rental trucks before you rent them. I say that from MY experience and my experience alone. We had two different trucks and had two bad experiences with the two trucks. I share that with other renters - do with that what you will. I personally wanted to rent from Ryder but they don't rent one way anymore.

And I am sorry, I'm sure Missouri is pretty nice. My mind was on other things and I was not in a really pleasant mood at the time. If I ever come back that way I'll be sure to look out the windows and stop here and there. A state known as the Show Me State seems pretty spunky and probably a lot of fun. Arly

[arly]

Originally Posted by 43north87west

I'm going to join the people who are... skeptical... of the details surrounding this experience.

First of all, when I hear stories about how a self-proclaimed "poor woman"/Single Mother With Children/Innocent Grandma was wronged by Big Bad Men(TM), I'm immediately suspicious, because it's inevitably followed by a claim of subjective, emotional-type requests, damages, etc. When I hear about what could have happened, I get even more worried. What could have happened, doesn't mean it would have happened.

When we factor in 'emotional distress' because you suffer from "depression and anxiety"... that just takes it to the next level. Why would someone who is unstable to begin with, take on something of ridiculously stressful proportions, like moving across the country in a rental truck? I don't know why a mentally ill person would take on anything that would put them "in the line of fire", so to speak. That's like someone with inflammatory bowel disease eating flaming-hot Mexican food, and thereafter demanding damages from the restaurant because they got an upset stomach.

You feel you had a bad experience, but a (self-described) depressive, anxious, and apparently "vulnerable female", who is self-aware enough to realize that she is depressive, anxious, and apparently a "vulnerable female", who rents a truck for a long cross-country haul, including dependents or animals--or whatever--riding along, doesn't make sense to me. It's not adding up. I'm sure your move didn't go perfectly, but it doesn't add up. Nor does the part of your Berzerkely-grad niece-slash-attorney, in light of the fact that you're asking for help on the internet.

For what it's worth, we've moved cross country thrice in the last four years, and unless you were hauling a whole mansion full of junk, there is no way in hell you could justify the headache, expense, and hassle of truck rental. I could never move my furniture into a truck myself; I'd have to pay for it. I'd have to pay to get it unloaded on the other side. One time I explored a truck rental, envisioning a fun, cross-country odyssey with car in tow. When fuel, loading/unloading, and headaches were calculated into the cost, major national movers, 100% no-touch moving, were LESS than renting the truck for my idealistic cross-country odyssey. Since that day, I have not even considered truck rental, and will likely never reconsider it. I'd much rather spend the time riding in style, in my own car, at my own pace, staying in a few nice hotels along the way, and arriving at my new home feeling good. Then if any of my belongings arrive in bad shape--which they could--it's not MY problem to argue where or how it got damaged.

======================
Um, thanks for referring to me as a "mentally ill person" and unstable. People who suffer from depression do go out of the house you know. They do drive, move, have lives. They don't all stay in their homes with the shades drawn. Also, all women, depressed or not, single, with or without children, or old or widowed or divorced do not hate all men and wish to take them for all their money. I am sorry if you have had bad experiences with women to make you say such angry things regarding an entire section of the population. I moved to CA to be with my partner to take care of her mother who is now 83 years old. She came to CT with me 12 years ago to help me move my mother into my house so that I could keep her out of a convelescent home. My mother lived with us for approximately 10 years and died at home at the age of 98.

I'm happy for you that your moving across the country "thrice" didn't cause you any headaches or bad rental experiences. I'm also happy for you that you could and can drive your stylish car at your leisure and stay at nice hotels and arrive at your new home with no worries. I wish I had the money to be able to do that but I don't. Can't afford movers to take my things across country for me. Looked into renting a POD and having it delivered and it was far more expensive than any rental truck was. I did have my belonging, perhaps not extremely costly items, but my packed-up home items professionally loaded into my 22' Penske truck. I also had already pre-arranged for a moving company to meet me at my new home and unload my belongings. That's about all I could afford. My problem was that it took me way longer than it should have to get home and that cost me more money which I don't have a lot of unfortunately.

I have to quote you again - "You feel you had a bad experience, but a (self-described) depressive, anxious, and apparently "vulnerable female", who is self-aware enough to realize that she is depressive, anxious, and apparently a "vulnerable female", who rents a truck for a long cross-country haul, including dependents or animals--or whatever--riding along, doesn't make sense to me. It's not adding up. I'm sure your move didn't go perfectly, but it doesn't add up. Nor does the part of your Berzerkely-grad niece-slash-attorney, in light of the fact that you're asking for help on the internet."

Wow. Never in a thousand years did I expect I would have any trouble moving across country. Did it 12 years ago and besides having one flat tire, had no trouble at all. I am aware that I suffer from depression and I take medication for it. This doesn't prevent me or anyone else who suffers from depression or anxiety from renting and moving anywhere they choose. This "doesn't add up" to you? My niece, who I am proud to say is an attorney who graduated from Berkley Law and passed the bar first try is giving me advice. I also specifically came on this site to, again, warn people of the bad experience I had with Penske twice during my trip. I asked for advice from anyone on here because, frankly, when faced with adversity listening to peoples' advice is a good thing. It's then up to me to weed out the good advice and bad advice and plain wierd advice and use it as I feel it will help me or not.

My niece's father-in-law is a Penske Manager in CT. Penske came highly recommended to us and the price was cheaper than pretty much every other rental company. My niece's father-in-law phoned the Penske pick-up location and was able to get us a discount of $300 and a free dolly and free blankets. I had NO, not one speck, of bad feelings or apprehension toward Penske in any way when I rented from them. They DO have newer trucks. They ARE cheaper. From what I read here, almost everyone has a wonderful experience with them. I didn't. The first truck's fuel pump was supposed to be at 70 psi and was at 42, not good for power or gas mileage. Since we had no power from the beginning of the trip I can only assume that the engine wasn't properly inspected before they gave us the truck.

Roger Penske and his wife pride themselves on safety in their racing team and in their commercial and moving truck rental vehicles. I believe them. I think somehow a couple of trucks of theirs made their way into our hands for our move and it didn't work out well at all. Our move would have un-nerved most people, men or women, going through what we went through.

I wish Penske nothing but the best. I wish them continued success with their reasonable truck rentals and good driving records for their truck performance. For myself, I wish to recoop my personal losses. Not trying to make any money here, trying to get back what is owed us. Having my mother's wedding furniture broken and other antique tables and pictures and our washer and dryer chipped and/or broken is upsetting. Setting aside the sentamentality of my mom just dieing at my home at age 98 and then having her furniture she had since her wedding broken, there is a cost to damaged antiques.

This whole thing is so upsetting. We never thought we would have any trouble, understand all of you who think this sounds fishy or off or not right or whatever?? We don't carry gallons of water and radiator fluid with us when we rent a truck to move across country. The truck was 2 years old - good reputation, backed by my nieces father-in-law. We stop like regular people to stretch, buy food and snacks, let the animals exercise, eat, drink adn then off we go again in our 2 year-old air conditioned Penske rental truck. Couldn't forsee anything bad happening, but it did. I am, again, saying to check out the service records of your rental truck before you drive off in it, whether it be Penske, U-Haul, Budget, Ryder, etc.

We as customers did nothing wrong and had two horrible experiences, three counting our broken property. I suspect Penske will never hire that outside packing company again and will get their money back from them also. I would love for Penske to get in touch with us or negotiate with us. So far, that isn't happening. Done. Be careful out there.

[arly]

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

It seems odd that a pet owner would travel a long distance, across desert or open country, without water for themselves or their pets, knowing that rest stops were "few and far between." I live in the city, and carry two gallons of water, plus my radiator coolant.

Also, to travel 800 miles daily you would probably have to drive 14 hours, not counting food or fuel stops. If you travelled at only 45-55 mph, you would have travelled about 200 miles less, or 600 miles per day, not the 200 miles figure stated.

Penske advertises that their large trucks get 9 mpg, and you would expect to use more fuel pulling a car trailer, so the claim of gas guzzler, while accurate, is puzzling. What could one expect?

I don't even understand the way the mother was identified as being 98 years old, and then, almost as an afterthought, we are told that she had passed away.

Finally, we have a plea for help on the web from an individual that has experience working for a law firm, and has a niece that is a lawyer. Then she changes to only wanting to "educate" the readers.

I believe that the OP has a problem with Penske, but I am less inclined to believe all of the particulars in her story.

Please read my other postings after this. You're right, we did travel about 600 miles the day after the truck was fixed, not the 800 I said. Realized that the other night when we were trying to get all the motel receipts, gas receipts and mileage indicators using AAA Trip Tic. Also misquoted the gas price, was just under $3.00 a gallon. Regarding my mother, she was 98, she lived with me, she died, I couldn't save her. I moved to CA to help take care of my partner's mother who is not about 83. I mention my mother's age because 1. I'm proud and elated she lived that long and, 2. I am happy to be the sibling to get to keep her wedding furniture. This furniture was damaged and some ruined after the repacking by the movers Penske hired in Albequerque. I cannot ever replace this furniture.

The "gas guzzler." As I stated in a previous post, the manager at the Missouri Penske garage said 2 points or problems were found with the air conditioner and the fuel pump wasn't working right at all - was at 42 when it should have been at 70 psi. He stated that would cause us to lose power and use way more gas. I have his name and I have the incident report to show Penske when we finally do get to meet with them.

Yep, worked in a law firm for 3 years, niece is an attorney. Asked for any advice - as stated previously, when there is an on-going problem or question advice from as many people who can give it is always good. I then must figure out what advice is correct. And yup, I wanted to educate the readers. What do you think that I am on here writing for? Do you think I am on a Discussion Board addiction or a Penske-pull-a-company-name-out-of-the-air to bad mouth? WHAT do you think I would gaiin by not being truthful here? Why would I lie? For what reason? Sympathy? Don't need that. A cheering squad? Don't need that. You can be less inclined to believe the particulars of my story, you can plain lay flat on your back instead of just less inclined about the particulars of my story. Don't need that. I rented from Penske and had two bad trucks and the outside movers they hired in New Mexico to repack our belongings from our professionally packed 22' truck into an unwanted by us 26' truck did a horrible job and many things broke, much of which was my mom's and cannot be replaced. I have a letter from the professional moving company hired by me while I was still in CT stating how poorly the truck was packed when they came to my new house to unload the truck. Am I forgetting anything? Oh, yes, anyone who rents from Penske or any other moving company should diligently inspect the maintenance papers on the truck they are getting or they should call around until they are able to find and rent a very newer truck that only has about 25,000 miles on it to, hopefully, ensure they have no problems. Jeese I don't get you people - WHAT do I have to gain by just making up 'particulars' about Penske? Honestly, you act like an episode from CSI or something. I am the innocent party here, let's not forget that. Arly

[arly]

Originally Posted by MinuteMan

Thank you! After all, we do'nt get to hear from the accused.

I absolutely, positively would LOVE to hear from "the accused." The real Penske though, not someone claiming to be Penske saying they are presently working things out with us when we haven't even heard from them. Nor do I or did I ever expect my writing here to garner an type of response from Penske - it would be nice but they really don't know exactly where to find me from reading my postings. Minute Man, you are beyond dispute - I ask you to try and see if you can please let me/us hear from the accused on here. I would like that very very much and be indebted to you. Arly

[arly]

Originally Posted by sskkc

Average gas prices--June 8, 2009: Consumer Reports Cars Blog


We moved cross state in late June too. We used a 24' Budget truck and have 2 kids, in addition to 2 cats. I have many fine collectibles and china from my deceased Great Grandmother and 85 year old Grandmother.

According to our receipts, we paid $2.11 to $2.63 for diesel - averaging WAY less than you claim to have AVERAGED. I've provided a link that shows that DIESEL was averaging less per gallon than unleaded at that time this year.

Naturally, I knew better than to transport my children, beloved pets and irreplaceable things in a rented truck cab. That would've been irresponsible in 109 degree heat, expecting to travel across long stretches of road in a vehicle unfamiliar to me.

The light would come on as we were going up any hills - when it came on and I quickly took my foot off the gas the light immediately went out. BUT, it slowed the already slow moving 26' truck down even more since I had let up on the gas going up hills. We at one time were going 35 mph on a 75 mph highway

So, you might want to talk to that attorney niece of yours. She'll probably advise you to call Penske back and attempt to get one of those offers back. Because if you get to court, they'll SHRED you over your irresponsible behavior toward the cat & dog, plus the abuse of their truck.

35 in a 75? Wow... that's not even legal! And I'm really curious how the truck was struggling 5 hours out of California how the truck that struggled over "hills" made it over the mountains that stand between California and the rest of the US.

I didn't really realize how much of the story sounded spurious until you reposted. The more you post, the worse it sounds.

Oh, happily quoting you here:
"Naturally, I knew better than to transport my children, beloved pets and irreplaceable things in a rented truck cab. That would've been irresponsible in 109 degree heat, expecting to travel across long stretches of road in a vehicle unfamiliar to me."

But when you rent a moving truck that is only two years old and has air conditioning and the company is concerned for your safety you CAN let your kids ride in the truck in 109 degree temperatures because of the air conditioning. These trucks are meant to go cross country, that includes hills and deserts and all types of temperatures, safely carrying your precious cargo, including your family. It isn't irresponsible to let children or pets ride in the rental cab, why silly, if there was a problem the company wouldn't allow you to let children or pets in their cabs. Oh, and if you did rent a moving van I would think that ANY of them would be unfamiliar to you. You had the luxury of being able to afford to drive your kids and pets and your grandma and great grandma's china and precious things in your car while someone else drove the truck. Why silly, I didn't put any of my mother's wedding furniture in the unfamiliar truck cab, that would just be irresponsible and pretty impossible. So you're saying that when you rented your truck from Budget you didn't trust it enough to actually move all of your family and things in it for fear of, what could it be, breaking down perhaps or losing power or air conditioning in an unfamiliar truck on unfamiliar roads? Gee, I at least trusted Penske more than you did Budget.

Oh, have to quote you again here:
"The light would come on as we were going up any hills - when it came on and I quickly took my foot off the gas the light immediately went out. BUT, it slowed the already slow moving 26' truck down even more since I had let up on the gas going up hills. We at one time were going 35 mph on a 75 mph highway

So, you might want to talk to that attorney niece of yours. She'll probably advise you to call Penske back and attempt to get one of those offers back. Because if you get to court, they'll SHRED you over your irresponsible behavior toward the cat & dog, plus the abuse of their truck.

35 in a 75? Wow... that's not even legal! And I'm really curious how the truck was struggling 5 hours out of California how the truck that struggled over "hills" made it over the mountains that stand between California and the rest of the US.

I didn't really realize how much of the story sounded spurious until you reposted. The more you post, the worse it sounds.[/quote]

A court would "SHRED" me over letting myself, my partner and my pets ride in the truck cab of the 2 year old GOOD 26' Penske truck they moved us into after our 22' Penske truck had to be taken totally out of commission by them in New Mexico? And you ARE right, totally wow, 35 in a 75 mph zone ISN'T legal. It only went that slow once while we drove in the slow vehicle lane with trucks passing us and our flashers on (usually we could hit 45 for about 20 minutes). Good thing I didn't get a ticket by the police because I couldn't make it up the hills fast enough, or would that ticket somehow go to the truck owner???

You've lost me on the how did the truck make it across the struggling hills and mountains that stand between Ca and the rest of the US. Got the truck in Albequerque, New Mexico. Struggled up hills in the 26' truck and the 22' truck. Some place called "Needles" was really bad. And the last hurrah into CA going down that notoriously dangerous highway was great also, don't forget that when you would go between about 50 to 55 miles an hour the 26' truck would start bucking so hard you would literally be moved about 7 inches or so back and forth from the seat you were sitting on. The moving company that unpacked our broken things told us about that bucking thing too, said wasn't that something to try and handle when those 26 footers did that.

My experience was highly unfortunate, seldomely occurs with Penske and is a shock to many loyal Penske fans. I got the short straw twice in a row I guess. Hopefully you won't have to ever go through anything like that, 'cause you know what, it could happen with anyone with any truck and any vehicle at any time.

Why why why would I make any of this up. Drive safely. Arly

[Nea1]

I have not read the entire thread, but as a frequent mover the only negative thing I have experienced about Penske is it was a gas hog, I spent more in gas on it than I did my last uhaul,it acted like it had a massive leak.

[SVTLightning]

Originally Posted by arly

Well that's you and what you would have done. We did not want to have either of us drive across the country alone. Period.

Driving from New Mexico (where you were broke down last) to CA is hardly across the country, but you are right, it is what I would have done to ensure I was at a new job on time.

[faithfulFrank]

Folks, I only opened this up again because the matter was not resolved, as first posted.

Let's not put the original poster in a defensive position. You can believe any, all or none of it, but the benefit of the thread is simply to LEARN from this story and ask yourself how not to have the same experience when YOU move.

If the thread spirals downward, I'll have to close it for good.

Frank

[Penske Truck Leasing]

Sorry for the delayed response. We presumed this issue had been resolved and the thread was closed. Our understanding is there was some difficulty reaching Arly after our initial contact back Aug. 25 due to the change in address/contact information associated with the move. I contacted Arly today separately with my number. Once we have Arly's new contact information we will pass the information along internally for follow-up.

[faithfulFrank]

That is good. In the interest of fairness, We left this thread open. We usually do not allow threads like this, but we want to be fair to all parties. The fact that Penske has even involved itself here seems to me a good thing. I think after everything I have read here in the past few years on the subject I think Penske would be my first choice in truck rental.

When this matter is closed, I'll re-close the thread.

Thanks, Frank (mod)