Alldrive Canada review: fraud on security deposit 24

Now we have the third company with the same people, the same location in Vancouver (a new in Calgary), and a new name.
Alldrive Canada - AllWest RV - and now "West Campers Travel Inc" are managed by the same persons.
I can tell to everybody: KEEP AWAY!

We are from Australia and had an extremely good experience with our RV (fifth wheel) being in very good condititon, less than 10000km, and advice etc given being of a useful and friendly nature. We had dealings with both Doreen and Heinz and found them to be lovely people.
However as with most other posts we had trouble with the refund of our security deposit. We rented in september 2010. After numerous friendly emails over a period of two months or so, we finally sent a more aggressive email and never recieved a reply from them. We finally got our deposit back through our credit card supplier (visa/National australia bank) after we realised we had to take action as the company wasn't going to repay the deposit.
The strange thing was, they were by far the best value we found, even if we had lost the deposit it would have been cheaper than a comparable unit rented from a mainstream company, and the unit we got was great, actually an upgrade on what we ordered, Canadians and Americans assumed we owned the unit, being a fifth wheel and so new, they hadn't seen or heard they were available as a rental unit. We found that it was a huge shame that the great experience we had was spoiled by the non return of our security deposit.
My advice us a credible credit card provider (Visa/Mastercard) with any deposit, as they give you a level of protection that might save you money in the end.

we are very shocked by this news, we have been renting RV's for more than 5 years and we never had a problem. It is true we had to wait long to get are deposit. Heinz was a nice person and we rented each time for 7 weeks.
Nicole from Belgian

DON’T EVER GO WITH THIS COMPANY!

We rented a van at Alldrive in August 2010 (at Langley, where that monstrous Edith works). It was a beautiful RV, but several things were wrong with it (tanks flooded while not even half full, aircondition attached on the roof inside the vehicle was leaking badly (Luckily we didn’t get any electric shocks), the tap was leaking, the table collapsed several times, and the list goes on, and on, and on…

We made a list with all these inconveniences, so that it could be fixed for other people. We also wanted to ask some money back, because we paid alot for that van while many things weren’t functioning properly. We gave Edith the list and asked her to make a deal.. That woman went totally mad. She called us liars, denied that there was anything wrong with the van, said we made it all up, etc. I mean, what kind of person are you? How can she co-run a company? (Now I hear that Alldrive is bankrupt, doesn’t surprise me at all..)

Then the deposit of $1000… Together with another Dutch couple (we are also Dutch), we informed our banks about the situation (ING, also known in Canada) and they would organise an inspection at Alldrive, if we wouldn’t get our deposits back. The four of us called and emailed with Alldrive, claiming to receive our deposits. Alldrive (Doreen this time) went mad, said that they always hold back the money of the deposits for at least a week, so they can pay repairs on the vehicles (does that make any sense?) But finally, after 10 days, we received our deposits! So it’s not impossible, just inform your bank/creditcard company and threat them with inspection. No wonder Alldrive is bankrupt! I heard that they operate under a different name: All West RV. Those scammers have to be stopped!

I rented an RV in 1999, when I picked it up in Vancouver there was a dent in the side, I made Doreen aware of this and she confirmed that it had been logged. When I returned it two weeks later I was told I would have to forefeit my deposit as it wasn't damaged when I took it out.
Doreen was nowhere to be seen & because I hadn't got the time to argue as I had a plane to catch a few hours later back to the U.K. Well you know the rest.Needless to say I was just another sucker .
MY ADVISE LIKE ALL THE OTHERS IS TO STAY WELL AWAY'

More or less the same thing happened to us in august/september 2010. I'm still waiting for the refund of my deposit of 1000, - $can. After several phone calls with 'Edith ' in Langley (telling me weird stories I now found out that Alldrive Canada doesn't exist any more but their new name is : All West RV. Same place, same people, same crooks in Langley/Vancouver, different place in Calgary, now in Airdrie. Since I#m in Germany and a legal suit would cost me more then they owe mw, lets do everything to discredit their business and keep people from renting from them. I'm ashamed that these people are of German origin and it spoiled our vacation in Canada after all.

I have managed to get through to All West RV and spoke to the same lady Doreen (I called and left a message that I wanted to rent an RV and she called me back). I started to get a bit hot under the collar, but to her credit, she calmed me down and explained that the bailiffs arrived at the offices of All Drive and seized everything - furniture, desks etc and I believe all available RVs on behalf of the landlord . It appears that All West was then created by the Ford dealer there who had leases on the vehicles and so now it is a new company. They also have no records to All Drive Files beacuse the bailiffs took them.
Doreen asked that I send her the Rental Ageement which I did this morning and that shows the 'overpayment' of the $1, 000 that I discussed above. We'll see what happens from here, and I'll post the end result up to be fair to all.
Regarding the dispute with the bank, I was wrong - it was actually my Debit Card and so I don't think I have any recourse. I will however contact my bank next week with the same information if Doreen doesn't come through.
Thank you all for your interest. It is great when strangers come together and take the time to help each other out!
Chris

We had similar experiences. There is no consumer protection worth speaking of in Canada so it really is "visitor beware". We did get our money back by lodging a dispute with our credit card company Mastercard though that does not mean we are happy with past events. Not surprising that the have arisen like a Phoenix from the Ashes. No doubt ready to fleece the next lot of unsuspecting tourists. As the last post suggested - lodge a dispute ASAP.

lodge a dispute with your credit card company ASAP!
they should sort it out for you.

I touched a vehicle on my visit there in July 10 (and by touch I mean I rubbed off most of the rubber with my thumb from the vehicle and there was no damage on the RV) and I was honest and told them about the incident. They took $1, 000 from my credit card and promised to return it in a month. I have been following up with Doreen on the matter but no responce by e-mail or by phone. I have just contacted AllWest but i don't expect that to go anywhere either. Any advice for me?

I have finally managed to get my money back through the credit card company. I wanted to pursue a criminal case against alldrive but the credit card company wont do it.
Also, Alldrive have now gone out of business, they now trade under the new name of ALLWEST RV rental, BEWARE, stay clear and spread the word. The more damage and bad press we do to this company the better.

Doreen and Heinz Willner did not return the security deposit from an RV rental July 2010. The credit companies only allow 100 days to dispute a charge. Doreen said she would talk to accounting about refunding it and never ever did. No answers to telephone calls, emails, etc. There is a lack of sincerity, honesty, trust worthiness about Doreen and Heinz . We had serious safety complaints about the RV and again, there was absolute denial of the safety issues associated with the RV. I feel like they totally frauded us.

Same problem to me. I'm from Italy and I rented from them in July. Still waitinf for a refund. Stay away from them!

Same problem, tried to get security deposit back, lots of very friendly excuses, but still no deposit returned. I have lodged a dispute with the credit card company to get the money back. Lets hope I do.
What I don't understand is how this company seems to be getting away with it, why have the credit card companies not withdrawn their merchant status?

Same issue with security deposit not being returned.
I'm going through my credit company to have it reversed, pain in the butt that will take 45 days but at least I get it back.

Absolutely right on these people!

It's true... Alldrive Canada does NOT return the security deposit immediately or maybe at ALL! I just got off the phone with Edith inquiring when my security deposit was going to be credited back to my credit card (it's been 8 weeks since returning the rental unit). Edith, a very negative person with NO customer service manners, informed me that she was unable to access her file management program and/or server and therefore was unable to refund the deposit for another 2-3 weeks. Since I work in accounting and with credit cards all the time I knew what she was telling me was just an excuse or bogus. She doesn't need to access a computer to confirm the deposit amount owed... she has a hard copy of the rental agreement. I inquired with her if her merchant account was still active and she said yes. I then said to her, "you can process the credit on my credit card manually. I know you have the credit card slips since you took an imprint of my card, and you know how much you owe me because of the rental agreement paper copy." I also told her I'm a local so if she needs assistance in completing the process I will help her. She told be she can see what she can do and basically hung up on me. Needless to say I didn't get a definate answer to when the deposit will be returned to my card. So, I called my credit card company to dispute the charge. Since I have proof of the credit owed to me and it's been over a month, the credit card company is taking care of it.

My advice... if you end up renting from them and upon returning the rental unit (and before you leave their office) make sure they refund the security deposit to your card right then and there (get a copy of the cc receipt). There is no reason for them to wait to process the credit a day or two later... or even weeks later.

WE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS COMPANY WITH POORLY MAINTAINED EQUIPMENT AND $2000 TAKEN FROM OUR CREDIT CARD WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE OR PERMISSION DESPITE PAYING LDW IT APPEARS VIRTUALLY NOTHING IS ACTUALLY COVERED BY THEIR INSURANCE LEAVING CUSTOMERS WITH AN OPEN ENDED LIAB ITY EVEN FOR PRE EXISTING FAULTS

Same Play in 2010 -Alldrive Canada - not recommendable!

Our resume: we did'nt search the internet with the right keywords >>before

Hi - I would like to know if / how you managed to resolve this issue. We have been waiting three weeks now to have our deposit returned. They wouldn't take our extra mileage charge out of the deposit, so they got that PLUS the deposit. They won't return my emails and their Engish rep keeps telling us that he has spoken to Doreen and that it is on her list 'to do', or not do and completely ignore as far as we can tell.

Having read these, I am now seriously worried. I can't believe I didn't see these before we booked. They were so friendly and helpful and responsive before our holiday. This has just left a really bad taste in our from our honeymoon.

Any help on how to get our money back would be much appreciated. Thanks in anticipation

I am just another unhappy customer of Alldrive. I have not received my security deposit back yet, nor has anybody from this company explained to me why there is a delay in processing of the refund. All my phone calls and emails have been ignored and I am running out of patience. These people should be forced to disclose to their potential customers that the security deposit may or may not be refunded ...or maybe even that a refund policy simply does not exist. Very poor customer service ...C-

With two other families we spent over C$ 12, 000 in motorhome and RV rentals with Alldrive during this summer. I wish I had seen these complaints before as we are now going through similar issues. The RV's we rented were not suitable for rent. These people do not perform any inspection and charge you an arm and a leg for inferior service. We are still waiting on our deposit to be refunded and if after 7 days we still have not seen any funds we will be taking legal action against this company. Lucky for us we live in Calgary and know where to find Mr HEINZ...he has p*ssed off the wrong people this time...

Germany Stephan Klein
ALLDRIVE HEINZ AND EDITH WILLNER and PARTNER HORST PUFF
We had the same problemes.
We are already in contact with our lawyers.
We will build a web page in several languages to inform the customers.
Don´t drive with HEINZ - burn your money, that more fun

In a short time your will have more info about our ALLDRIVE TRAVEL DESASTER

I am still struggling with this company. I think there should be a class action suit against the company. They have been ripping inncoent people off. You struggle for months after taking a vaction if you rent with this company. STAY AWAYFROM THIS COMPANY and save yourself from a lot of trouble.