Thursday, August 16
I open my inbox this morning and find news from Nancy.
Disturbing news.
“We lost about 3 hours yesterday due to the tire so drove until 9, then collapsed at a Days Inn. The truck is old, 200k miles, the tire guy said it’s leaking brake fluid and we discovered the lights on the trailer aren’t working. We are up at 4:30 to work on both. Not exactly a great situation, never considered we would end up with a crappy old truck that burns a ton of gas.
“Marg is a trooper, me not so much. Hoping today goes well . . .
“Will keep you posted. xx00”
What the heck?
Budget Truck Rental sends them off on a 1,900+ mile journey in a truck/trailer like that?
In an email reply I commiserate and tell Nancy that she, Frankie, and Marg have the prayers and good wishes of blogorinos from all over the country and beyond.
~ ~ ~
Around 7:30 a.m. Arizona time, I check my inbox again . . .
More news from Nancy!
“You can add for your blogorinos, wiper blades shot and the rain water leaked into the cab, right into my purse before I realized.
“Good news! We just gained an hour, almost to Pensacola.”
~ ~ ~
8:00 a.m. Arizona time I open this:
Check back for further updates!
I’ll post them as I receive them.
~ ~ ~
Texas!
At 3 p.m. Arizona time, Nancy sends this drive-by photo:
~ ~ ~
The nightmare continues!
Around 5:30 Arizona time and 7:30 east Texas time, I receive another report from Nancy:
“We are completely broken down in TX, this truck is not going any further. We are in a roach motel waiting for service truck. Budget is worthless. The best I can figure is a service truck will come and determine it can’t go and we will get another truck and have everything loaded into the new truck. Budget said they transfer the stuff.
“Will keep you posted.”
~ ~ ~
rvsue
NOTE: “Day Two: Back on the road, leaving truck troubles behind.” Yeah, right. Thanks a lot, Budget. — Sue
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First??!!
Stop bragging Dawn in NC! You’ve been First a lot!!!
JK – enjoy the glow!
Oooo…poor Nancy and Marg and Frank! It is trully going to be a grand adventure. I will keep them in my prayers. I would also ask for a discount from Budget!
Just left another comment, but it seems to have disappeared. Poor Nancy, Frank and Marg! They will have an epic story to tell at the end of this. I hope that they get a discount from Budget. I will keep them in my prayers.
Prayers for fine weather and no more truck problems… crossing Texas will be a long hot journey.
“Sheesh”, of all the bad juju with that truck! That’s deplorable and the truck rental company should be ashamed. Not only that, they should make good on this so there’s a happy ending. Blessings to Nancy for a better journey today and tomorrow until she reaches you safely. Hugs!
Suzi
Unbelievable…. it’s all about the money with these big companies.
I hope she gets compensated satisfactorily when this is over…..
oh no, so sorry for them, I can’t imagine. Can they call and demand a new truck? and help to unpack and pack? that is just not right. At the very least I would challenge the charges with the credit card company. I know I can’t be 2nd
I agree Alice! This is almost imposing abuse in Nancy and Frank giving them an old truck with bad wipers, bad brake leak and 200,000 miles to travel cross country! 😡
your right, there are some real safety issues. so sad to start a retirement like that
Nancy, Frank and Marg may your day get better…Sue thank you for sending blogorino love and strength to The Travelers…yes, we are there in our thoughts and prayers.
Take Care Everyone.
Quick comment. When Nancy and company arrive they should quickly bury that truck. Hi to all….
Oh Geez!
Keep Safe Nancy!!!!
Hmmm I’d drive that damn truck into an Budget Truck Rental and demand they swap it out to a more reliable truck. What the heck was Budget thinking? Seems the truck is unsafe with leaks, lights not working and poor tires. No, no this will not do…lives are at stake here for self and others on the road!
With brake fluid leak, it’s dangerous to drive and it’s dangerous to break down in middle of no where from Texas to Arizona due to heat. Carry plenty of water with electrolyte. If the truck is in as bad a shape as described, it may overheat also. Please be careful.
That would be my thought. Use GPS apps to find the nearest Budget Rental and go for it! Whoever rented this to Nancy, is liable for any injury.
I’m thinking she needs a new truck or a total refund!
I’m thinking both!
This sounds like my move from Phoenix back to Rochester, NY back in the early 80s. We had the largest UHaul truck available plus a trailer to tow our car. The truck had over 100,000 miles on it, but at the time we trusted the company to know best. ha! We had to have a water pump replaced enroute, and something was wrong with the electrical system so we had no lights for driving after dark. I’ve forgotten now the other mechanical troubles that cropped up. However, all of the service folks along our very long trip were just wonderful. Guess they’d seen it all, and were sympathetic to our troubles. And in the end the company reimbursed us for the extra days we ended up taking. I mean, they truly should have reimbursed us for the entire trip – pain and suffering and all that lol! But at least we didn’t have to pay for rental days needed because of their faulty equipment.
Well, not good news about all the truck trouble. Budget Rental? Budget should not have to equate to broken down or run down. Each truck should be road worthy for the long haul. I agree with Sandra Collins – a refund or a sizeable discount. A new truck may not be worth moving everything out of it to a new one. Don’t worry, Sue, if you can help it. Thank God at least they are ok, albeit the inconveniences. Little Margie looks like she is settled in for the ride.
Oh geeze……positive vibes sent to Frank, Nancy and Marg!
I agree with all the above suggestions m ESPECIALLY the one to pull in the nearest Budget and demand a newer SAFER truck! They need to unpack and repack to the new truck at their expense and consider themselves fortunate that no one was hurt! The truck they gave Nancy and Frank wasn’t safe to drive across town, let alone across country! Shane on them!😠
Agree
I would be calling Budget to COMPLAIN!
I am sending positive vibes Nancy’s way with hopes all troubles are behind them.
Thanks for the updates!
That truck wasn’t safe to drive across town, let alone cross country!
Please be safe and get a new truck. Be a day late, but be safe! 💗🙏
Hey i am in top ten again — look forward to more posts as your sister makes the migration to AZ
Oh dear, poor Nancy and Frank. I’m hoping everything works out and they arrive safe and sound! I’m so glad Frank is with her. I’m very excited for all of you, can’t wait to see reunion photos! Just a few more days to go Sue!
Budget Truck Rentals should refund their money or send out a new truck and trailer.
Or BOTH!😠
For sure both! Grrr budget, shame on you. Reminder to self, NEVER use budget rental for anything, ever! OK, now turning our thoughts to a safe, uneventful rest of the trip. Make sure the A/C is working properly. Crossing Texas was hot in the spring, August is a tad warmer, right! We are routing for you Nancy, Frank and of course, Marg! Safe Travels.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
I agree with everyone else’s comments about asking for/demanding a new truck. There are times to be nice and there are times to be firm and IMHO, this is the latter because of safety concerns. I’d go to the nearest Budget location and demand a replacement truck and assistance in transferring Nancy’s things from one to another and I’d start mentioning “gee, I’d hate to have to call the NTSB and the federal Department of Transportation and the Florida Attorney General’s office and every state Attorney General’s office on this cross-country route and I’d hate to have to post negative reviews all over Yelp, and oh yes, if anything happens to me or my son or my dog due to Budget’s negligence, I’ll be calling my (daughter, niece, nephew, brother – fill in the blank) who is a lawyer, who will be suing.” AND I’d be telling them my sister runs one of the country’s most popular blogs with thousands of blogorinos who are all following my journey and anxiously awaiting news of whether Budget made this situation right or not! OK, now I need to breathe deeply and calm down.
Is it Budget or Pensky? You mentioned Pensky in an earlier post. I think this post should be forwarded to corporate headquarters. The big shots do not want to hear these things. I know as my daughter is one at a huge company and she is not nice in these situations. This is deplorable.
It’s Budget. I made an error in the previous post and corrected it.
I’m thinking that Budget place in Florida saw a one way opportunity to get rid of a old truck, knowing the customer would not be back!
I’m quiet lately as my husbands 5 plus year battle with rare cancer is on its way to the inevitable end. I’m very sad but working very hard at moment at caregiving.
I read daily to see what you are all up to, but either don’t feel lke talking or just too tired and no time. All the best to all Blogerinos and ESP prayer for safe travels for Nancy, Marge, and Frank.
Velda, bless you and your husband as you are going through these difficult days. Many prayers and hugs.
Thank you, Velda. Prayers for you and your husband. Take care.
Velda, I am sure you are doing whatever you can to make each day the best it can be for both of you. I know something similar to what you are going through and am praying for you both. Wishing you peace
Saddened to hear about Mel. Thoughts and prayers for both.
I’m very sorry to hear about your husband Velda. Prayers for an easy transition and support for you and your family.
Velda,
Caregiving, especially in end-times situations, is so emotionally and physically draining. I hope you have someone to help you out occasionally, if only so you can have a brief break. Know there are many here who will be praying for you and for your husband.
My prayers are with you Velda, you have come this far keep on keeping on, bless you both.
Sending you comforting thoughts and prayers, Velda. **hugs**
Velda, my love and prayers are with you. It’s a lonely road you are on, filled with every emotion. I will be praying for you and your dear husband.
Willow
Oh Velda, too sad. Hang in there. Wishing you and Mel the best.
Thank you each and everyone for your prayers and thoughts. You lift me up. I’ll check in when I can.
Velda prayers sent your way.
So glad she’s on her way. Praying She has no more problems. Gets to you safe and sound. Her doggie is so cute. Bet all the doggies will have fun together.
So happy for u Sue.
Sharon
Note to self; if I ever have to rent a truck, especially a cross country trip, inspect it very closely. Don’t trust them.
Dave
Dave,
We rented a Uhaul cross country NY to AZ cuz PODS wouldnt deliver to the boonies. (Yet they delivered from CA to NY in 2010) Thank gawd our neighbor offered to drive it for us. It was a newer truck..not a whole lot of mileage. He made it…but said the tranny was slipping. One way rentals are more expensive and it’s a great way to get rid of a truck on its last leg. Basically it becomes someone else’s problem.
Inspecting is a great idea..however unforeseen problems may arise. When we drove across with 5 cats, a dog, guns knives and bazookas….I had my mechanic change everything imaginable…except the alternator…guess what..just outside of DesMoines…trouble…luckily a Chevy dealer was close and a new alternator was installed.
Would I ever rent a truck again…nope. Would I ever drive across in my POV…nope. But that what I said when we moved to NY.
The logistics associated with moving can be a pain. One way or another one will eventually get from point a to b. Nancy, Frank and Marg will be in AZ in the near future…and certainly have a story to tell….very unfortunate indeed.
Wow, I am sure praying for them. I would be calling Budget and demanding a new truck that is SAFE to drive that far as well as help to unload and load into the new truck. This situation is no joke.
Oh, no! What Budget did is outrageous! I ditto what so many have said.
I hope the rest of her trip is without incident. Marg is super adorable. I don’t remember who Frank is.
Sending prayers and good thoughts they are safe and get to your new home quickly!
Prayers for you and your husband, too, Velda. That’s a tough one, for sure.
Thank you, ValGal. Frank is my nephew, Nancy’s son.
Hoo boy, what everyone else said about Budget. I will avoid renting from them….wait a minute, I have my own truck, LOL. I hope the rest of their trip is uneventful and this stop has found all the problems. Maybe they should buy a pack of duct tape…
For Budget to give them an unsafe truck is not OK. They need to trade this truck immediately! They should not expect to cross west Texas in this truck. Arriving safely is important!
I sent the link for this blog to Budget Truck customer service. Maybe you all want to do that, too?
Good for you Linda Sand. I was going to do that when my daughter got home. She has ways to get to the top. This might work as they do not like this type of discourse, especially with Sue and so many followers. That shouldn’t be the primary reason, SAFETY SHOULD. This case sounds like pure negligence to me. I know I certainly will not recommend Budget to anyone.
Post the email address? I’ll be happy to let them know what I think about putting customers’ safety at risk as they clearly have done.
Replacement truck, Free reload, Free trip plus refund gasoline purchased.
Thanks for the update. Marg looks less unhappy than anyone else in this situation. Having had a few tough trips due to poor equipment, I look forward to this one working out in the next few days. Solutions show up if we keep the faith and keep working at it. If all parties can keep their sense of humor, that will help.
My only experience with a long trip in a rental truck went very smoothly with U-Haul equipment. I can tell you that I will not be using Budget for any future trips.
Any medium-duty truck ought to be good for 300,000 miles or more nowadays; the issue is maintenance. I would get a professional opinion from a qualified mechanic about continuing with the same truck. The reason for my reluctance is that Budget has zero people whose job is loading and unloading, so they will resist. If they provide people, those people might well do an unprofessional job, thus making a bad situation worse. Also, don’t do any more than necessary with the local-office level of Budget. Work with them if you can, but the odds are they can’t refund your money or anything like that. That’s a decision for regional people. There’s no point trying to do it now.
When Nancy and Frank write the inevitable (I hope) letter to the higher-ups at Budget, they should work in the phrase “warranty of merchantability.” That’s legalese for the idea that something sold for a specific purpose should be fit for that purpose. That’s what’s not happening here.
My best wishes to all involved, except whoever decided that truck was fit for service.
The first time I tried to post this, I was in the Mozilla Firefox browser. I could not post it. I kept getting a message about the Captcha as if I hadn’t answered it.
Sound advice. It’s all legal. We, who go on about our business in an honest mode, are utterly surprised by business persons who put others at risk. Hope all turns out well for Nancy and Crew. Thoughts and Prayers.
First – demand a new truck and credit for the ride.
Second – make them provide people for free to move the stuff from one truck to another.
Third – sit back and enjoy the ride and hurry and get here so Roger and Reggie can meet Marg!
I am presently in Central Florida. Have Nancy take pictures of everything wrong and call uhaul corporate office to get a discount, refund, on the rental. It works!
My heart just hurts for you, Velda. Praying for your strength, and comfort for both you and your husband.
How frustrating to be experiencing the truck problems from Budget! They have to be so weary already. Probably counted on being at least a couple of states further along by now. We appreciate Nancy’s up dates and your passing them along to us, Sue. We’ll all be cheering when they show up at your front door! Praying for safety and no further “bad” adventures along the way.
Oh No!!!! They need to get a new truck!!!! Unloading and reloading would be a pain but safety first.!!!! I can’t believe that Budget would let someone take that truck on such a long journey.
Prayers have doubled for my sister Nancy, nephew Frank and Marg!!
I’d be going to the nearest Budget business and demanding they give me a better truck and they better do the transferring of the load. This is ridiculous and dangerous. We had that happen once in Montreal and they changed vehicles for us.
Elaine May on Vancouver Island BC Canada
Adding prayers for safe travels for your family. It is completely unacceptable that they were rented an unsafe truck!
Well, what troopers your sister and son are!! Seems odd that companies today that would rent such to folks might not consider it might end up on the internet!! Heh, not a company I would want to rent from, reading this!! Thanks!! Blessings to you all…I am sure it will be such a relief to have everyone arrive safely!!
Agree with others, stop at another Budget and have them swap trucks and let them do the unloading and reloading, too!
Blogrinios! Those of you along the I-10 corridor lets rally around Nancy, Frank, and Marg. Sue! Please contact us if we can be of any assistance to your travelers.
Guys, if your onboard this wagon train across country let Sue know your ready to help by listing your “name and I-10”.
Wagons Ho!
I was thinking the same thing. If there are blogorinos along the way, they could provide support if anything else happens. At least to get Sue’s sister, nephew and the dog out of the heat while waiting for a tow truck. Hopefully nothing else will happen, but it’s nice to know there are people out there that will help if necessary.d
If I understand this correctly, this morning Nancy and Frank had the brake fluid leak and lights on the trailer taken care of, and by 11:oo eastern standard time had made it across Florida State’s border. So it doesn’t sound as though they have tried to get a replacement truck, yet anyway, and may just hope/want/need to get to Arizona as close to their originally expected arrival time as possible. I’m guessing Frank needs to get back home to return to his job, and that he had to take time off in order to help with this move.
One would expect Budget Truck Rental to reimburse them for the costs of those repairs and that of the tire as well, if for some reason that company has not already paid for all of that. One would hope to also be compensated for the expense of an extra night at a motel/hotel if that was an unplanned stop. Anything offered beyond that would be to promote goodwill between the company and their current and potential new customers. I do hope they offer to do something extra and significant in order to compensate for the problems with their truck/trailer that have already happened, Nancy already has enough to do without having to involve any type of agency or litigation.
This is all so disappointing and disturbing. I can certainly understand Nancy’s writing “Marg is a trooper, me not so much”. What should have been the easiest part of moving, just drive and enjoy each other’s company and the scenery, instead involved serious and dangerous problems. I hope and pray the rest of this trip goes well and that much of it is really enjoyable, the way it all should have been from the beginning. I am very grateful that Nancy, Frank, and Marg were not physically injured .
I think Nancy and Frank should be the ones to first contact Budget about their problem. I don’t think others should start emailing Budget unless asked!
just my opinion
Second your thought Lisa in San Diego. Should budget not compensate Nancy in an appropriate manner for all that transpired, well that’s a different story.
I guess if I was Nancy I’d be so mad by this time that I would blast what Budget did all over Facebook, Instagram, Twitter…every venue possible. Or, at least, I’d call them up and let them know that that was what was going to happen if they didn’t agree to setting me up with a new truck & trailer in extra good condition for the rest of the trip. With them paying for hiring help to unload & reload, plus not charging for whatever extra time it takes to finish the trip. Actually I think they deserve all the negative advertising they can get. Sure hope Nancy, Marg & Frank’s trip is smoother from here on.
Sue, I hope you tell your sister the approximate number of page views your posts get when she talks to Budget headquarters. Also, I don’t know if you can tweak your SEO plugin to highlight Budget Moving but that might get their attention too.
Woo hoo Texas! Probably close to Beaumont? Sister and I once drove 16 hours from Phoenix to San Antonio….long haul.
When Nancy complains to Budget she need to include the info that ALL the problems have been posted on a blog with over a million hits that’s read by folks all over the country. They need to understand the PR nightmare they’ve created by having poorly maintained equipment.
Sweet!!! They’re making good time to have reached Texas that early. They might still get to the house sometime late Saturday after all.
Well now…bummer. But it does sound like they are making good time. If it comforts you any, we have friends that own a propane company and many of their trucks have 300,000+ miles on them and are still reliable. The key is maintaining them. We have rented from Budget before and they are good about reimbursement. So…here’s hoping for the best!
I am getting so excited!
Once we helped my sister and her husband move to the north coast, Fort Bragg, and it was pouring rain the whole time, we wore black trash bags over our clothes to unload them! See, making memories!
Broken down again, that’s awful! I hope Nancy and Frank at least got to have dinner or can go somewhere close by to get some food. They must be so frustrated, it’s hard enough to sleep in a crummy place, add being upset and the chances of getting any good rest are slim. I’m still praying for them and appreciate these updates.
Oh my gawd Texas already? And then …the update…how disappointing.
Thank heavens Frank is along for this adventure. Roach motel is better than on the side of the highway. They will get it straightened out.
They are towing a car on a dolly correct? Which means they wouldn’t be stuck on the side of the road.
Positive thoughts that tomorrow will be a better day!
Oh no, just saw the update. The only thing I can pray for at this point is hopefully a new truck that is better and will get them the rest of the way with no problems. I have already posted this blog post on my Facebook warning people about Budget. Ugh!
Dear Lord, what a mess! Sending up extra prayers for Nancy, Frank, and Marg to arrive safely. As a Westie owner, I can tell that Marg is not happy….her sweet smile from the start of the trip has been replaced with a quiet, pensive look. She is worried. It will be ok Marg, give your Mom some extra kisses.
I am disgusted with Budget.
Sue, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. Sending you, Reggie, and Roger lots of love and extra hugs from me and Gracie pup. Thank you for keeping us updated.
A Lot of comments about budget, but I would also like to bring attention to the
business that originally rented the Equipment. It is really their fault for not inspecting the Equipment before it being rented to go anywhere.
When I was a U-haul Dealer we were taught that it was our responsibility to inspect And Clean the Equipment when we received the equipment at our business. Part of which was asking the person turning the equipment in. If there was something wrong it was to be grounded until Repaired.
Yes it is Unacceptable that that truck was rented out Especially for that distance!
Well many here probably remember my cross-country trip from NY to AZ in a Budget truck, back in 2014. We did have a leaky cab, but other than that not really any problems. I think maybe anyone should check the mileage before accepting the truck, and if it is 200,000 turn it down. But i’m Sure it will be resolved and they will get there somehow. Really nice of Frank to help out. I’m very excited for you, Sue! What fun to have a roommates! I’m getting a little sick of always being alone. Hope tomorrow there is better news!
Not unexpected that, that heap broke down. My brother helped his daughter move a couple years ago from Washington to Cottonwood, Az and they had to change trucks too in the middle of the desert. It was a real wild move. My sister-in-law stayed at a motel this spring where she collected bed bugs in her luggage, I’ll take roaches over bed bugs any day but then that’s one reason we have our Casita, just my own cooties, Thank You.
Sure hope they give them a good replacement and can make some more miles tomorrow.
We had a bad experience with Budget Car Rental, therefore, we do not recommend them and will NEVER use them again. Rip off company. Hope your sister makes the rest of the journey without further issue.
WOW!!! What a horrible experience. I would ask that ALL EXPENSES be paid period. Like in the total trip is FREE!! Thank goodness everyone is ok. Praying that they arrive safe and sound.
🙏Oh no! Nancy, Frank and Marg, life will get better! I am so sorry the Budget in Boca Raton gave you such poor service! But once you get to AZ and your new home, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the trip is over and now you can move in and become a Zonie like your sister! Frank, I can’t thank you enough for being the good son that you are to come help your mom through all this THANK YOU!💗
Geri, question for you, how long has the term “Zonie” been around? I have been gone for 17 years now and don’t remember ever hearing it. Is it fairly new?
Oh, no! I’ll certainly know not to rent a truck from Budget and I’ll even think twice about renting a car! I’m sending positive thoughts and good wishes to our three brave travelers. This will pass and you’ll be together soon in your new home. Then the real adventure will begin😁.