Budget® Reviews
We were supposed to have a 16 FT truck at 11:30. We did not. When we arrived at the Palm Harbor location we were told that someone should have contacted us to offer a different location for the pick-up. Nobody did. The guy at the desk highlighted a number to call to make these arrangements myself. He was rude, smug, and condescending If I ever rent from Budget again it will not be this location. After half an hour on the phone I was able to get a smaller truck at the New Port Richey location, but they did not have the dolly requested. I am amazed that Budget stays in business considering how messed up the logistics of their fleet has become.
As a moving company, Budget was really good. Truck was ready and pick up was smooth. HOWEVER, what gets them the rating is the actual condition of the truck. The brakes likely need to be replaced or some other front end work, there is a horrific, violent shimmy when you try to brake, especially if you're going over 40, and that same shimmy is present if you're going over 60. In short, this truck is an accident waiting to happen.
Unfortunately all of the 16' and similar size trucks had been rented from the rental companies before we could schedule. We snagged one of the few 12' trucks left and made some compromises. It worked fine and had no problems except limited cab room meant reclining the seats was far too limited and just wish they would ditch the low rear step and install an 8' ramp.
I rented a 16 ft truck with a full-on dolly for my car. When I arrived at their office the truck was ready. I asked for help from a lot worker to guide my car onto the dolly and they refused. Then they said they would call another worker to help. I waited an hour and the desk person said she 'forgot to tell me' that nobody would help. I ended up spending $147 for 5 minutes of a tow truck driver's time to load my car and get out of there. The truck got surprisingly good gas mileage and I quickly got used to handling the truck and trailer. 1300 miles later, I returned the truck to courteous workers at my destination without incident. It wasn't until I drove my own car (after 5 days of driving the truck) that I realized just how badly worn the brakes on that truck were.
I had an 8:30 am reservation. despite the office hours being listed as 7:30 am-6:00 pm---no one showed up until 9:20. I rented a 12 foot box truck. One truck would not start, the other one had a flat tire. Had to take 16 foot truck. First one would not start....the 4th and final truck DID start...but worse gas mileage...larger truck. Will never rent from them again.
Had a flat tire with a broken stud and was stranded in Sturgis South Dakota on the side of the highway. When we called budget roadside assistance for help they sent out a company specializing in semi-truck repairs even though we had a moving truck + tow trailer. Not only were they not able to do a complete fix (They fixed the flat after 5 hours, but did not fix the stud) but the contractor, who budget sent to fix the stud, did not arrive for another 26 hours! Their roadside assistance, which is $140, is incoherent and a complete waste of money. I will never be going with budget again.
I requested a cargo van. Nothing larger would work where we had to go and unload. I paid for it and got email reminders I was all set. THEN, THERE WERE NO CARGO VANS AVAILABLE IN MY AREA. I had to cancel the van and go to U-HAUL THE SAME MORNING OF THE MOVE. I was on a time constraint because I was having movers meet us at the destination to do the unloading. VERY FRUSTRATING. NEVER USING BUDGET AGAIN!!!!!
Horrible. We reserved a month before our pick up date and they did not have the vehicle. They found a larger vehicle at a location 20 miles away and sent us there to get it. The lady in Pt. St. Lucie was quite rude. Reminded me of the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld. She was like "maybe I can find a solution for you, maybe I won't." And we had flown down there, rented a car from Budget, etc. Truck was in good shape and drove well -- the saving grace of our experience.