Wild West in NZ!

I have rented a Happy 2 camper for 20days/19nights in Feb 2016. I compared a number of companies and went by the price – well you get what you are paying for.

When things go smooth i.e. no accident, no breakdown etc you might have a good experience. However my Camper had 450k on the clock!!

However if that’s not the case things go pear-shape big time – a shocking mix of incompetence and unprofessionalism.

On day four I had an accident as a result of which the camper was unable to drive and had to be towed back to the yard (the accident was not my fault – witnessed and recorded by the police).

1. Calling the office number I was given for such cases caused confusion what to do. After calling forth and back between headoffice and Auckland it turned out that towing in case of accidents is NOT covered – check the fine print – and hence I would have to pay for this. The police fortunately organised this as I still stood in the middle of the NH1 while no one from Kiwi had a clue what to do and how to organise towing. No procedure in place here!

2. A replacement car was not available and also – as I learned – I was not entitled for a replacement/compensation. (read the fine print)

3. Nevertheless a refund was granted for the remaining days I couldn’t use the camper. The amount was calculated rather arbitrarily to their favour.

4. All I was left with was a doggy email confirming that the contract was released and a certain amount was transferred back to my account.

5. The 2000 NZD deposit for the insurance where taken in the second I recorded the accident (apparently they can move quickly if they want). Still waiting for an official invoice for the repairs undertaking and a reconciliation of the deposit (2000NZD). Very unlikely that I will receive this.

Do yourself a favour and just Google Kiwi Campers – if you are still confident to jeopardise your vacation here go ahead! Not bad people but simply incompetent and incapable!

Reviewed over 8 years ago