Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Fred W · Guru

Back charging a lift rental company

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I am glad you waited to the end to mention United Rentals! I will walk away from a job if they are the only company to rent from.

This past summer I needed an articulating lift for apartment roofs. I reserved the lift a two weeks in advance. They offered a 10% discount if I opened an account. I wasn't so concerned with that because this was a one time deal since the local company I use couldn't help because both lifts were out on a long term rental. To start off they were late on Monday morning. I called and the excuse was they didn't think I wanted it because I didn't do the credit application. BS! They got there 3 hours late! The driver mentions to my guys that they had been working on this machine.

We finally get started around 11 when it was supposed to be 8. They told me they would make it right. I had to call the maintenance guy every day and some days twice. I knew we could finish on Thursday but ended up having to work Friday due to all the down time. Then, the last building (fortunately) it gets stuck way up there. Greg was in the basket and no matter what, it would not come back into position to come down. He did get it moved to where the bucket could be close to the ground then got out. When the service guy shows up he tries to blame it on us for taking the machine beyond it's limits. BS!

If you have the pleasure to talk to Rose in NY, good luck getting her to understand! It took me three months to finally make this go away. I spoke to the local office, sent in documentation, spoke to Rose, sent in documentation... nothing. I finally got a bill with interest so I called. This time it was not to Rose. This lady heard my situation and put me in touch with the manager (I had asked for the regional manager). I went through everything again. He found my email with documentation, apologized and credited me with more than half of the rental which I felt was fair.

As I started out... NEVER will I rent a lift from United Rentals! I was spoiled with the local company and well maintained, working equipment.

I wish I had called to talk to the manager from day one when I noticed the invoice was wrong. I did fill out the application and opened an account but even that wasn't credited. They also forgot to credit the three hours, three men standing around. The aggravation of dealing with Rose and her strong accent set me off more than once!

You should owe nothing or maybe they should pay you! Good luck Doug!

Brett

-- Edited by BlueRidge on Sunday 18th of December 2016 06:33:05 AM

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I rented a battery powered lift from United that had bad batteries I guess. I spent half the time trying to get enough charge to use the thing. Finished the job from the ladders. I didn't have a chance to complain since I had an accident returning the lift and they had to come pick it up off the side of the interstate. At least they did that.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Sure Byron. I'm betting they picked up their equipment and didn't even offer you a lift heheh!

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Maverick Contracting wrote:
Sure Byron. I'm betting they picked up their equipment and didn't even offer you a lift heheh!

Well, yeah. But I was getting a ride with the tow truck picking up my truck. Weird story, but I had a ratchet strap that fell between the cab and bed of my truck. Got wrapped around my drive shaft and the hook punctured my gas tank. My first Hazmat visit...but it was for gas not bleach!

Fred W · Guru

Brett, I usually rent from Sunbelt because I always have issues with United. Even with this rental the lady told me the cost was over $1200 when the last time it was less than $600.

The only reason I used them was because that is who the client wanted me to use. Even when we were all done the client tells me that the last time they left the machine sit in their parking lot for almost two weeks and it dripped oil the entire time......So why the heck do you want me to use them?????

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Every time i've ever had a mechanical issue with a lift from United ( or Sunbelt), they've ALWAYS given me the lift for free for that day. Sometime they still charge the delivery fee. I'm really surprised there not treating you better.

That being said, i do have an account and a great account rep who is my point of contact. I don't deal with the call centers except to pay my bill.

Fred W · Guru

That's what surprises me Ray. I have a rep and he has been trying to get my business. I did call him today, he said he would look into it.
United for me has always sucked. I generally have issues with the equipment and they have always been over priced. They have some bigger equipment and that is a big difference but like I said, I usually have problems.

I do like that they usually leave equipment sit. I can rent for one day and know that it will probably be there for several days.