travelon98

We've just come back from a wonderful 30 day vacation in New Zealand. What a great trip....except for our camper van rental. I'm just wondering if anyone else had as bad an experience as we did with a company called Happy Campers? I can't even begin to tell you how bad it was, but some of the main points were a broken gas gauge, no power cord for the van, and bedding material that smelled like a dead animal had been rolled in it. Numerous other problems but those three come to mind still, and when brought to their attention, returning after having been on the road, they said they couldn't do anything for us, that all the other vans were out as it was high season...end of story. As if it was my fault after having paid all of the rental up front that they couldn't do anything.
Anyway, I'd love to hear from others!

Melnq8

No experience with Happy Campers, but some interesting reviews here, some dating back to 2009:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...w_Zealand.html

https://www.rankers.co.nz/experience...-Happy_Campers

I hope the lousy camper rental didn't ruin your trip and would love to hear some details about your trip.

nelsonian

Never heard of them, don't seem to be one of the more popular companies.

travelon98

I didn't do my homework well enough on this! I knew we were booking an "older" model Toyota van, but was assured that everything had been remodeled/kept us to date.
I don't know if NZ has a Better Business Bureau but if so this company should be reported. Deceptive practices maybe, not caring about the product they rent most definately.
When I was returning our vehicle to Christchurch where we started two weeks before the manager was telling someone else on the phone the exact same thing he told us.
" It's the busy season, we have no other vehicles to address your problem, I can't do anything.....". I was in the hospitality business for 25 years and my business would not have prospered or survived with this kind of attitude and service. We paid up front for a vechicle and expected the company to have some kind of concern for their clients. We obviously were completely wrong. We would not accept even a free rental from this company.
RUN AWAY FROM THEM AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!

Melnq8

You might try filing a complaint here:

https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/get-guidance/

travelon98

Thanks Melnq8. From what I see, I'm not the only one who has gotten treated this way.

travelon98

Melnq8....We had a great vacation is spite of this. We started on the North Island and spent a week then went to the South Island. We have tried not to do too much on our trips the last several years, because you can't do/see it all. NZ requires way more than the 30 days we had.
What I know now would help me if I ever go back. Really enjoyed Hawkes Bay area, Waiheke Island, Picton and the Charlotte Track, Abel Tasman area(where I would base myself for a week next time). All of the Wanaka, Queenstown and Te Annau hikes and experiences were fantastic....
Were able to do both a Milford Sound cruise and one on Doubtful sound and the wife and I disagreed on which one we preferred, but basically loved them both!
I could go on but you get some of the details.
We decided not to let this experience ruin our two weeks in the camper van, and after 48 hours of doing everything I could to rectify some of the problems, just put it aside and enjoyed ourselves in spite of it all. Loved the people!!

Melnq8

<<NZ requires way more than the 30 days we had.>>

So I keep telling people

mlgb

Or go 7x 21 days if that's all the employer lets you take off at once.

My boss started out with a campervan and after a day promptly returned it and hired a car. He couldn't manage the roads and being on the "other side" all at once.

Luckily for him this was pre-Lord of the Rings and they were more relaxed about these things. In fact, I never had to make a hotel reservation until that changed..