We needed to move and had little money. I called around and then I chose the cheapest company. U-Haul™ isn't like other companies.

They don't have proper offices, their rental 'desks' are in other businesses ( Kinda like a parasite on a host.). Mostly gas stations, but I haven't seen any limits. We ended up going to a Bowling alley.

They don't/won't book trucks properly, your choice may end up: late, not come in at all, come in at a different 'depot' across town.

OK, we rented the truck over a month in advance, (For August 23 2002) and Mike (the U-Haul sales Rep on the phone) told me No guarantees on time or place. (Nice huh? They should be called U-Hell!)

Then we couldn't get the truck in town (because it was dropped off outside of Calgary, in Strathmore, (about 25 minutes outside the city). We ended up at The Strike Zone Bowling alley at 1016 Westridge road.

I complained about the travel affecting the gas, mileage, and my 2 and 1/2 hours out from packing. (Travel time and having to wait for the Sales Rep to do ALL her other duties, and help us). The rep was really nice though, and she gave me extra miles, a dozen blankets and added extra time onto the truck rental for our time lost. She was understanding and fair, but I was put off by the whole experience.

We got the Beast, a 17 foot, 1 ton Ford, and old. Seemed like a late '70's - early '80's truck with 245,757 kms on the OD. This sucker drove like crap, went through 2 quarts of oil between Calgary and Edmonton, and I think it did 95 kms on the hwy. at best. I really didn't want to push it. It had no cruise control, no air cond. and only am radio.

Yeah, they may have the lowest decks but so what? After what I went through, that was the least of the problems. On their web site they list advantages over the competition, but personally, with their advantages (like alot of locations, etc.) they still are not worth all the hassles you could go through. Check it out for yourself.

Moving is extremely stressful. Why create more stress for yourself?

We got to Edmonton, unpacked, and dropped it off. No other problems to tell you.

When we moved from Edmonton, I went with Budget™ Trucks. About 100 dollars more in total cost but well worth it. It was a guaranteed booking, the truck would be held at the site nearest me, they also do one way rentals, and they have proper offices. We got a much newer truck, a 2002 model, less then 30,000 kms, air, cruise, tilt, an am/fm cassette stereo and it drove great.

I hope I never get that desperate to rely on U-Haul™ again.