Rant: U-Haul keeps charging my card

[Vonkhan]

A few months ago, a friend of mine was moving to Boston and I offered to help him. We were at a U-Haul storage location where he didn't have enough cash to rent out the storage so instead of going all the way back to his apartment, I put the initial payment on my card with the assurance that this would be a one-time thing only (not a recurring fee).

on 9/21, U-Haul charged me with a month's rental. I called them up and got bounced around so I ended up going to the location. They said that since no payment had been made on the storage, they charged the card "on file" and that was the only way to get the "issue of non-payment" to someone's attention. I told them that I was no longer in touch with that friend (his phone's disconnected) etc. Their computer system even showed "NO" to recurring charges on card. They said that I would need to contact my friend and ask him to the amount.

So, I disputed the charge with my bank on 10/2. On 11/16, they charged my card again, which I again disputed with my bank on 11/19.

Today, I see "REVERSE CREDIT FOR DEBIT CARD DISPUTE" for the first charge disputed on 10/2 - basically stating that the bank thinks U-Haul was justified in charging me.

I called up the bank and they said that the vendor presented them information showing the validity of the charge. wtf. I closed the card so that they wouldn't be able to charge me again, but now I'm left with -$95 from the first charge (which includes late fees) and probably another -$65 from 2nd dispute.

Now what? :\

 

[dabuddha]

Maybe call up your friend to tell him to stop being a deadbeat and pony up the money?

 

[Genx87]

Did you sign anything? If so what does it say about property in their storage space? You may have put yourself on the hook without really understanding the legal ramifications. One of the reasons friends dont help friends with these types of situations

If you signed a contract stating if the payment for the space is not recieved you agree to pay with your credit card. You may want to go get that stuff.

 

[FoBoT]

find the "friend", get $95 out of his wallet
he boned you, not U-Haul

 

[Miramonti]

Maybe call up your friend to tell him to stop being a deadbeat and pony up the money?

How, string and a paper cup? His phone's disconnected.

 

[FoBoT]

How, string and a paper cup? His phone's disconnected.

then OP is SOL
life lesson cost him $95

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

can Uhaul not remove the card from the account?

 

[SunnyD]

You should have played the angle that your "friend" stole your CC #, therefore the debt isn't valid. Too late now that you closed the card out. But as others have said, if your name is on the paperwork, and you're paying, well guess what - it's your stuff in that storage unit. Go collect and start ebaying.

 

[Vette73]

can Uhaul not remove the card from the account?

Why would they, they are getting money from it.


But OP if you can get a copy of the part saying ""NO" to recurring charges on card" then appeal with the bank. If not, pay up and live with it.

 

[Vonkhan]

My name isn't anywhere on the paperwork

Only the person whose name on the paperwork has access to the storage location

AND

Only the person whose name on the paperwork can close out the contract with U-Haul

 

[Genx87]

My name isn't anywhere on the paperwork

Only the person whose name on the paperwork has access to the storage location

AND

Only the person whose name on the paperwork can close out the contract with U-Haul

Then I would demand your money back. If not, small claims it.

 

[Beattie]

I closed the card so that they wouldn't be able to charge me again, but now I'm left with -$95 from the first charge (which includes late fees) and probably another -$65 from 2nd dispute.

This doesn't matter. They are going to bill you anyway and eventually they will probably sue you (and win) and get a judgement against you for the amount you owe them now and for future rental fees. You signed for the unit then you owe the full amount if your buddy doesn't pay.

The best idea is probably to go there, take everything out, close the account and pay what you owe as of now.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yep, I'm thinking OP is SOL here. There's probably a contingency in the paperwork stating card on file will be charged in the event of non-payment.

a) consider it a life lesson
b) consider the unit as yours and go take $160 worth of stuff, toss the rest of his shit in the trash and cancel the rental.

 

[xanis]

Yep, I'm thinking OP is SOL here. There's probably a contingency in the paperwork stating card on file will be charged in the event of non-payment.

a) consider it a life lesson
b) consider the unit as yours and go take $160 worth of stuff, toss the rest of his shit in the trash and cancel the rental.

both of these are good advice

 

[Gooberlx2]

My name isn't anywhere on the paperwork

Only the person whose name on the paperwork has access to the storage location

AND

Only the person whose name on the paperwork can close out the contract with U-Haul

Well, that's bullshit and I don't see how they can reasonably get away with continually charging your card. Maybe try contacting your attorney general and/or reporting Uhaul to the cops as thieves.

 

[dabuddha]

How, string and a paper cup? His phone's disconnected.

Well if the turd was not that close of a friend to the OP, then the OP was a dumb ass for letting him use his credit card.

 

[Vonkhan]

b) consider the unit as yours and go take $160 worth of stuff, toss the rest of his shit in the trash and cancel the rental.

They won't let anyone except the person whose name is on the paper have access to the storage unit OR terminate the contract

 

[Legendary]

They won't let anyone except the person whose name is on the paper have access to the storage unit OR terminate the contract

Uhaul is a terrible company to deal with, and since they have your card and a contract on their side there is likely no way to easily get out of this without either finding your friend or a good attorney.

 

[LTC8K6]

If they don't have your address, and your name isn't on the paperwork anywhere, then you are probably clear now, if a little lighter in the wallet.

 

[LTC8K6]

If the rental isn't paid, they will just take possession of the contents of the unit.

 

[SunnyD]

Again, they have absolutely no proof that the card wasn't fraudulently used, since apparently the OPs name isn't anywhere on the paperwork aside from his CC info. Call your issuer, say the card was stolen, you never authorized those charges, and that you refuse to pay them period. When it goes to collections, you dispute it the exact same way. They keep piling shit on you, you deny ever authorizing the transactions. It goes to court for judgment, you tell the judge that you never authorized any additional transactions to be placed on that card. The contract is with the deadbeat friend, NOT you. You are not responsible for the charges.

As you said, your name is not on the contract, so you're not liable. Right? Unless of course you're forgetting to tell us something.

 

[Vonkhan]

Nope, my name isn't anywhere on the contract / paperwork

 

[LTC8K6]

He would have signed for the initial CC charge, so they have that.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I've heard a lot of similar stories about U haul being this way. Vonks got ass raped and slapped with teh cawk.

 

[rockyct]

Sounds like your friend is the fault of the screwing. U-Haul is providing the lube.