Penske® Reviews
Overall, an ok experience, but it could have been much better. When picking up the truck, I had to wait about 30 minutes while the representative "watched" another Penske truck get a auto transport trailer hooked up to it. I didn't see the need for that person to just stand there watching while telling us to wait. All the time, I've got hired help back home just waiting for the truck to arrive. Then, on the return of the truck at a Home Depot, the Home Depot asked us for our pre-rental damage report. Looked around and couldn't find one and the Home Depot said they couldn't do anything without it. So, had to drive 45 minutes back home, look around, no luck in finding, then travel back to the Depot. I showed them an email on my phone and said "that's all I got". They were totally unprepared for this, but went ahead and accepted the return anyway. The problem is that the Penske pick up location has gone "all digital", and the Home Depot is still using paper. This cost me 2 hours of unnecessary travel time + gas cost. Penske needs to get all of their partners on the same page. The truck had an alignment problem where it pulled to the right. It wasn't bad when driving the truck empty, but once loaded, the pull was significant and I had to fight it for 9 straight hours.
Moved a somewhat large (1000 sqft) 1 bd apartment with a 16' truck and towed my vehicle on a trailer, from (basically) Austin to Los Angeles. Penske isn't the most comfortable ride for a long distance one-way (especially for a 6'7" man!), but the truck was clean, we had no mechanical issues (though there did seem to be an electrical issue in the dash, with the radio lights and audio spontaneously turning off & on), it was by far the best price available, and customer service was easy to connect to and work with.
Pickup at Home Depot was good, the person was very knowledgeable. The truck was not full of DEF upon pickup, was also filthy dirty. (HD apologized and said is Penske's responsibility) We didn't know how much DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) was needed on a 3000 mile trip but we felt it should be full to start. Spent $130 to purchase along way as we kept getting low and if you run out, your truck will not move. Very important issue to educate consumers on when renting out trucks that use Diesel! Penske did issue credit (kept all receipts for DEF) and a customer courtesy credit for the truck condition. (rented autohauler as well for the $2400) We used them because there were no Uhaul's available and would not use again unless absolutely had to because of the cost of Diesel unlong with DEF issue
Great moving experience - low to the ground and the ramp was perfect for moving heavy furniture. This truck was fairly new only 5,000 miles on it to start. We did one way, and it was easy to find location then to return. Flat rate, easy to drive also! We used Penske because we have used them and have been pleased in the past.
The sales rep did a great job of finding me a truck the day before my move when another company dropped the ball. The truck was good other than one tire that was basically bald. It was a hazard that ended up needing to be fixed while we were on the road, and customer service was unsatisfactory during that process. I would still use them again as a reservation actually guarantees you a truck unlike other companies, but make sure any issues with the vehicle are resolved before you leave.
Overall I am a fan of Penske, I think they are the best moving truck company. This truck had spotty cruise control which was frustrating for my long drive so I would just recommend checking that if you have a long distance to travel. The customer service to make changes and confirm was smooth and the rental process was easy. Overall I recommend but maybe just ask a few questions about the truck you are getting.
In this pandemic era we now exist in, movig is an even MORE stressful event as contractors, land-lords, and even home-owners are vetting renters more scrupulously, probably from being burned with past renters. Building trust is now left to third-party realtors that have even stricter application processes. That being said, having to request extra days (@$100.00/day, post pick-up) felt like asking for permission. Their PRIMARY BUSINESS MODEL is to make money, yes? Why are they making me feel bad, for wanting to give them extra money, when I truly could have paid some rental storage facility for SEVERAL MONTHS, for what they are charging me for just EIGHT EXTRA DAYS? Life is TRULY never under our control and at MY expense of @ $2,500.00, I was made to feel like an employee than a PAYING CUSTOMER.
