written by Kittenziggy on 08/11/2019
DEFINITELY BEATABLE! It has taken over 6 weeks to receive a final statement in order to get my deposit (over £1,000) back only to find out that I have now been charged an additional £129 for not emptying the toilet cassette, which was emptied, cleaned and rinsed before return and checked by a staff member when I returned the vehicle! The company won’t deal with this over the phone or by live chat, only by email to which I have now received a response saying it will take 5 days to respond, delaying the deposit refund even longer! I returned the vehicle on 23rd September it is now 8th November & I want my deposit back! DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY, they appear to offer great value sounding deals but add so many extras on after you confirm the booking that you can definitely get a better deal elsewhere! They tried to charge extra for a kitchen pack and water hose etc but they were already in the van, I brought my own so had to ask them to remove it all. They also charge extra for a pre hire briefing, Roadside assistance, early pick up (ie before 3pm) parking at their depot and so many other things I lost count. Don’t get me wrong it is all hidden away in the small print but they don’t really tell you about it until after the charge free cancellation period has passed.
written by Hopkins283 on 08/05/2019
Atrocious company. Headline offer price is competitive but then they bombard you with extra costs, everything from pots and pans to toilet roll. Also you have to pay for the blue chemical you put in exhaust systems. What a rip off. Even parking your car whilst away has a fee. Surprised I wasn't charged for each time I turned on the windscreen wipers. If you use them its your own fault but don't expect anything but a rude and ignorant customer service team and a totally over priced booking
written by Alisdair.pegg on 27/03/2018
From start to finish the booking process was easy, the motor homes were modern and clean and the return was also simple. Working with HBC was a real pleasure and made one of the more complicated parts of the rugby tour really easy. The staff were friendly and helpful and the motor homes themselves were excellent! I would definitely recommend them to other and will use them again myself for the next tour. 5 stars out of 5 for a brilliant hire company who take the complexity out of hiring.
written by RUSSELLMJ on 06/02/2018
Hire Booking Centre, Unbeatable Hire Ltd AKA National Motorhomes I rented a motor caravan from Hire Booking Centre only after checking that Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) would cover any damage claims as there were a worrying amount of complaints against the company about disputable extra charges on completing a hire. I was told in writing, “Our insurance excess is £1000.00 (refundable), this can be reduced to nil, per insurable incident, if you qualify for insurance excess waiver” I therefor paid £300 extra for two weeks hire with CDW. I hired a small motorhome for a Scottish island hopping tour for my wife and myself . On collecting the ‘van, I was given a 6 bed ‘van!! This enormous ‘van, quite unsuitable for the narrow one way lanes on the islands, also pushed me into the plus 6.0 metre ferry rates on the 6 ferries I had pre-booked. On day one, the toilet/ shower door lock malfunctioned. On day two using a stone off the beach and scissors, I managed to break open the door hinges and do a temporary refix. Other things went wrong but my big complaint was that the CDW didn’t work!! On my last day I had a no fault accident when another ‘van broke my door mirror, also breaking my driver’s window. Having immediately completed all the necessary paperwork, I felt grateful for the CDW I had paid for. Two months later with no warning I had £792 charged to my Debit Card. Enraged, I commenced legal correspondence against the registered Managing Director, Mr A Hughes, on the grounds of my CDW but was never to receive signed correspondence from him. Following months of legal challenges, I had to accept advice that it would cost more than £792 to recover my illegal deduction. The twist in this tale? Three pages deep in the Terms and Conditions of the Hire Agreement, following the ninth sub clause relating to CDW, is a line saying even if you have CDW, no payment for … ‘Any damage caused to the front cab section’. (Really!!) This buried, almost hidden clause, defies any decency in commercial practice and, in my opinion, would not be acceptable under the Unfair Terms and Conditions governed by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Be warned if you deal with this company.
written by Lolly0904 on 04/02/2018
We hired a camper van in November 2107 for 3 nights on a Groupon offer, part of the deal was a £250 deposit, it has taken many phone calls and emails to get back this deposit as everyone at this company ignores you and I only got this finally paid back on 31.1.18. The hire appears a good deal, but there are many additional costs such as £24 insurance excess per day so for a 3 night hire your have to pay for 4 days plus a £15 admin cost. When you add this up with fuel and camp site costs cheaper to stay at a 5 star hotel, your may not have the same freedom but this company were a nightmare to deal. The van we got was OK if you overlooked the leak on the window when it rained and the TV not working plus a crack in the shower tray. The dishes were all wrapped in industrial blue kitchen role and could have been cleaner. You have to inspect and sign for every little chip or scratch on the van pre and post hire so they can charge you for any damage you have caused. They advise the van mush be brought back clean, not mud or there is an additional cleaning charge taken from your deposit. We returned the van on the Monday at 9.30am but the site was closed with no one to return it too. Just a total nightmare company to deal with. Until the deposit issue we over looked most of the issues cause we had really wanted to try a weekend in a van to see how we enjoyed the freedom. They offer all positive hirers a £20 voucher to leave a good review, once you leave the review you have to copy it to them on email to get your voucher. Whether this is paid I have not idea as my overall experience was not great having to chase like mad to get my deposit back which was 10 weeks from my hire date. I would not deal with this company again based on my experience.
written by Medina135 on 15/01/2018
We actually had a nice holiday although the van was a little old it was fine for what we wanted and the chap at Gatwick was outstanding. The problem here is getting your deposit back my view is that the firm are strapped for cash, they tell stories over the phone if you can get through, they don't answer calls always goes to answer phone and they want put you through. Finally last week spoke to a man who ducked the subject, AVOID . After keeping my money for over 6 weeks past the date due they still haven't returned it - my credit card company are chasing - DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONET I SUSPECT THEY ARE IN TROUBLE if they can not send back a small deposit. They ask for feedback straight away and induce you with a cash payment - as i say the van was fine the surcharges annoying but i accepted: the retention of my monies not acceptable. Anyone in the same situation report to trading standards and get your Bank involved.
written by carlorhino on 05/01/2018
They will not return my deposit of £259 pounds or yours. I have now started an investigation with trading standards and barclaycard into this and is going to take time before i get my money back. I paid wowcher for the 3 days hire but national motorhome with hirebookingcentre they are not returning my deposit back. Thanks
written by jamesgill on 20/12/2017
Apart from the heating conking out in the middle of the night, the fridge leaking and then going into alarm at 4am and of course day three the oil light come on. Worst thing is they debit your account the moment you put your card details in (£1250), hold onto this deposit for 28 days after hire finishes. You have to ask for the deposit to be returned, complete a web form then of course it says 3-5 days from then, that was last friday and as of the following wednesday (8 days) the refund (-£15 "admin fee", for what to return my money). In total they have had £1250 of my money for almost 6 months and I am having to put through a claim with my credit card provider to get it back. Always always pay it on credit card or better still give this company a wide berth. Avoid like the plague, read the other reviews on here, the one stars are the ones to read...
written by Ewan5895 on 20/12/2017
I also have had problems getting my deposit returned. They took a deduction of £104 off my deposit of £1,250 for returning the van short on fuel. At the time of returning the van the manager accepted the van could only have been 3/4 full when I got it after I showed him the mileage I had done and the fuel I had put in the van. He agreed that it was impossible that it could have been full when i got it and promised to sort it out so that my deposit was not affected. I am currently waiting for them to accept that the £104 charge should be cancelled for a deposit that they have held since August this year for a hire in November!! The irony is that the £104 charge is £5 more than i actually paid for the 3 day hire of the vehicle. I would not hire from this company again based on this experience.
written by KFBarr on 15/12/2017
The practise used by this company is appalling. You pay £1250 deposit upfront ahead of the hire. The agreement they state is after the vehicle is returned, 28 WORKING DAYS, they'll refund it. Sounds simple, but for starters they ask for feedback a week after the hire and offer you £30 for a 4 or 5* response. If you don't reply you don't get any further chance to review on their own website. Next, the dates. We returned our van 27th October, and here I am on Fri 15th December, 35 WORKING days later and still no refund. They won't answer the phone, wont respond to emails, and basically have left me with no choice but to pay £70 and claim on line via the civil courts. Their practises also include sending texts about early pick ups and if you click to open a message they deduct money off your card which you have to ring up and get refunded. As it stands they've agreed to refund £1103 of my £1250 deposit but say they have a problem with the refund system and can't guarantee when it'll be actioned. Definitley avoid!!
Written on: 28/12/2017
absolutely agree 100% same situation.
shock and disappointment in deposit refund!!
shame, what I need to fight to return MY money back.
broken customers rights and business agreement.
Written on: 11/01/2018
Same experience would not book with them and I'm getting in touch with the credit card company to see if they can help.
written by on 12/12/2017
Hired a 6-birth motorhome via the HIRE Booking Centre in October half-term; good service, easy to book - straight forward process. No fuss and the collection and return of the van was seemless and helpful. The motorhome was at the older end of their stock - 4 years old, but it was spot on. The holiday was good fun and would recommend a motor home holiday through this company.
written by simonbradley on 11/12/2017
The offer of motorhome hire came up on Groupon, we decided to give it a go, bit unsure in December but we went for it, fantastic 4 day 3 night stay touring Scotland. Lovely and warm , home from home. Recommend to anybody, plenty of space for two and not to big to drive. Got to be the way forward rather than buying one
written by SusanneJohnson on 03/12/2017
We hired a 2 person motorhome for a week, picking it up from the Hirebooking Centre. I expected to have to take all those little things, but the hire company had already provided them all: matches, tea towel, loo roll and more. I took glass glasses, because I detest drinking from plastic glasses, especially those that bare the marks of many other people using them before, but the hire company had packed glass glasses for me, and all matching crockery rather than plastic, all packed up in kitchen towel to stop it clanking. I took cloths and cleaning stuff to make myself feel that the motorhome was well cleaned after the last use, but it was already pristine. The heater was super, and we took lots of quilts and blankets, so though my hubby, whose never camped before, expected to be cold, we were toasty warm (this is November I'm talking about!). Being a member of a campsite company was fab, though many of them were closed for the winter, but the guide was really useful for the map etc. I'd definitely recommend it. Loved it.
written by Papaalpha on 29/11/2017
Great start to holiday with comprehensive handover briefing. Clean, comfortably appointed, well stocked motorhome - missing nothing. Heating very efficient for both warmth and hot water. Kitchen equipment and TV/DVD easy to operate but all instruction books provided in case of difficulties, as are contact numbers in case of emergencies. Terrific way to have a "please yourself" holiday!!
written by K444ate on 21/11/2017
We used a special offer we saw online which made the motorhome hire really cheap. The motorhome itself was lovely, really clean and a great layout. We had a very good handover of how everything worked on it although we did have to pay extra for this. We were very pleased with the quality of the motorhome. Only criticisms are that extra charges applied for a handover and a less experienced driver. And that we were told when we booked that we would have the option of returning the motorhome later than 11am once we collected it but were not given this option. In general good service and great value for money.
written by AnthonyHowcroft on 16/11/2017
We hired a Chausson 7 berth motor home for 3 nights in the October half term picking up from the Middlewich depot. We had never hired a motor home before so we didn't know what to expect. We had a great time with the kids, the motor home was nearly new and in great condition and was handed to us spotless. The motor home was well equipped with everything you need for a family getaway. We will definitely be hiring a again and recommend to anyone.
written by DayanaraBailey163 on 14/11/2017
Easy booking, great price, fantastic holiday! Using a half term special offer we dipped out toe in the water of camping with a motorhome. We had a great time despite some wind and rain tucked up inside. Being the small van but with a 170bhp engine I was very pleasantly surprised at the performance and it was really easy to drive!
written by Madalynn115 on 13/11/2017
We hired a chausson flash motor home for a week. We travelled around and visited four cities on our weeks holiday. Having the freedom to travel in the motor home was great. We could please ourselves and had flexibility. The motor home had everything in it that we needed. Having cooking facilities saved us hassles eating out and saved us money too. We got the hire at a great price. This was our first time holidaying as a family (me, my husband and 3year old son). This was also the first time we’d holidayed in a motorhome. I wasn’t looking forward to it as I like luxury and the thought of “slumming it” wasn’t my ideal holiday. This wasn’t the case at all and I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I will be hiring a motor home again for next year. Being able to pick up the motorhome within 20 miles of my home address was hassle free. The girls at the collection depot were lovely and couldn’t be anymore helpful. Thanks hire booking centre.
written by Christinetoddy on 13/11/2017
Hired a motor home for 3 nights at an excellent price. This was our first experience and found the booking process easy. The handover was explained clearly and politely by the young man at the depot. The mobile home was only 6 months old, very clean and well equipped. There was plenty of storage and the heating system was particularly efficient which was good as it was cold this time of year. We found the seats very comfortable, a bonus as both suffer back problems. We had a great experience and will definitely be booking again.
written by on 09/11/2017
Hired a 6 birth motorhome for 7 days, just after the English autumn half-term, and picked it up at a bargain price. The pre-hire administration was efficient and clear, with options to upgrade both the vehicle package and insurance options. On collection the vehicle interior was very clean, with the outside showing signs of general wear and tear. The vehicle was 4 years old, with 50k miles on the clock, though should be considered in generally good condition. The hand-over meeting was thorough in process, although the transfer of information was somewhat hindered by the lack of English of the operative. A comprehensive information pack solved the vast majority of problems, with everything resolve via trial-and-error. Handing the vehicle back was smooth, with the mileage and fuel allowances being cross-checked by before- and after-photos. These extended to the final checking of the vehicle condition, which was approached sensibly and pragmatically by the operative. All in all, this was a very good experience and one that we would certainly consider repeating!
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Lolly0904's Comment
Written on: 04/02/2018
I had exactly the same issues we hired a van in November 2017 and I have only been given back my deposit on 31.1.18 after many phone calls when I could only leave voice message and no one called back or responded to emails.
I would not deal with this company again.
They advertise attractive hire prices for camper vans but by the time you add on all the extra costs they want for insurance and admin and the fight and stress to get back the deposit which is actually your own money.