Rental equipment problems! what would you do?

Question

i rented a man-lift from a company i told the guy what i needed it for he recommended this certain lift. they assured me that it worked!! got to the job site and it would not work, and on top of things it started leaking hydralic fluid all over concrete, and he wants it pressure washed, so i got to pay someone to do that now and im out of $1100

what would you do?

Answer 1

Return the lift and not pay anything.

Answer 2

If you did not get to use the equipment then you have proof of that! The job was not complete. Get someone you contracted with to back up your story! Insist you get your money back or at least the next rental free! Try to compromise first and if you still don't get results, contact the Better Business Bureau in the state you live. Explain your story to them and they will respond.

Answer 3

tell the guy his equipment was not in good working condition.. sounds like a con he probably already knows, but will play dumb.. don't pay though, it's NOT YOUR FAULT!!!

Answer 4

I would go back to the rental business and let them know what happened.  I would ask for a refund and for them to pay for the pressure washing.  If they dont, I would contact the bbs and make a claim.

Answer 5

I would talk to the rental company. However, you should have called immediately when you noticed the leak. If you didn't take steps to protect the customer's floor, you are mostly to blame for the mess. Hydraulic equipment does get leaks and you need to monitor it closely. I have made diapers out of plastic sheething for industrial forklifts on many occasions to keep from ruining an industrial floor. Covering the working area of floor with thin plywood works good too.

Maybe you can get the rental company to supply a steam cleaner and you supply the labor to clean the slab and save the out of pocket expense.?

Unfortunately, I don't see any other way out. Your license is on the line if the customer makes a formal complaint. The rental company will state that as far as they knew the lift was fine when it arrived on the job site. You eat this one and learn from it.

Answer 6

If the rental place doesn't reimburse you take them to small claims court. You can also speak to most attorneys free for a 20 minute consultation and I'd do that first so you know exactly what to do and say. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

I sure wouldn't pay anything. Document everything as best as you can. Tell them you want a full refund on any money you gave them,

They should have shown you everything worked before you took it.

If you paid by credit card tell the credit card people about it and stop the payment.

Stop payment on the check if you still can .

Answer 8

Call back to the rental place and ask to speak to someone that has the authority to speak for the company.  Tell them you are on a job site and that the equipment they rented to you is junk.  It is costing you money, so stand your ground!

They have repair crews for that... or can deliver another one to the job site and pick-up the broken one.  Also, hold them accountable for everybit of the evironmental cleanup costs.  As it is, you rented something to do a job with.  Be sure to mention "I could have gone elsewhere... but I chose your company because of _____________ ".  Yes, they already know that, but saying it makes a statement.  And that gets results.  I'm not saying be a JERK about it!  Because accidents do happen, and everything mechanical will break at some point.  This is a perfect example of when and where professionalism and customer service kicks in.

I would be surprised if the scenario doesn't play out like this; O.K. here's the problem... no sense pointing fingers lets just fix it or swap it out ASAP.  Time is money, and that goes for everyone in this picture.

Now go back to that ____________.  Thats where the "this is why I (will / will not) do business with you again!

Remember... don't waste your time with the guy behind the counter, unless he's the owner or has the authority to think outside of the box.  They will understand and respect the gravity of your situation.

Answer 9

The moment you noticed the problem you should call the rental company and have them evaluate the situation.  If it just happened today, call them.  Most are reasonable and have insurance to cover faulty equipment that fails on the job and causes other problems (like fluid on the driveway).  

Doing nothing or refusing to pay will just aggravate the dealer and cause you more problems.  

Good Luck!