Indie Campers UK Review

I would like to inform you about our disappointing experience renting your recreational vehicle (RV). The malfunctioning of the unit greatly affected our trip and leisure activities. Allow me to share with you the issues we encountered from the beginning of our RV pickup experience. Firstly, upon our initial inspection, we noticed that the unit's body was damaged. We had to use adhesive tape to hold the rear bumper in place, as well as a side marker with a broken wire. Additionally, we had to take the time to remove spider webs inside the vehicle, indicating a clear lack of preparation and cleanliness of the unit.

Regarding the refrigerator, we discovered the absence of the freezer door, rendering the freezer unusable. When we asked questions about the RV, we were referred to a video explaining the unit's operation. However, this video did not address all of our inquiries. Furthermore, the video mentioned that tools would be provided in case of any issues, which unfortunately was not the case. Similarly, the video stated that we would have two keys, which would have been convenient, but once again, there was only one key.

We also noticed that the battery had a charge level of only 11.5 volts. We were told that this was due to the unit's late arrival and a lack of time to properly recharge it. However, it turned out that the battery was defective, preventing its recharging. This problem required us to stay at campgrounds each night, resulting in itinerary changes and unforeseen additional costs.

Regarding the RV's functionality, we found that the kitchen faucet was not working properly. When I expressed my dissatisfaction about it, I was told that if I wasn't satisfied, I could simply cancel the rental. This response was disappointing and contributed to my decision not to ask further questions. Furthermore, during our first stop, we had to buy AdBlue because the warning light turned on just around the second corner. We also had to purchase adhesive tape to secure the bumper and both lights. Lastly, when we tried to lay down on the RV's bed, we were surprised to find that the lack of support slats made the bed non-functional, causing us to slide towards the bottom of the vehicle.

As an owner of an RV that we regularly use autonomously in Canada, and considering my professional experience in this field, as well as the enjoyment my partner and I derive from RV trips, we have had the opportunity to rent RVs in different countries. However, this experience with your company is by far the worst we have encountered. I have attached some photos to illustrate the aforementioned issues. We hope that you will take these problems into account regarding the rental of your RV and that appropriate measures will be taken to improve the quality of your services.

Sincerely,

I would like to share with you our disappointing experience with the rental of your recreational vehicle (RV). The malfunction of the unit greatly affected our trip and leisure activities. Allow me to share with you the problems we encountered right from the beginning of our pickup experience with the RV. Firstly, upon our initial observation, we noticed that the body of the unit was damaged. We were forced to use adhesive tape to hold the rear bumper in place, as well as a side marker with a broken wire. Furthermore, we had to take the time to remove spider webs from inside the vehicle, indicating a clear lack of preparation and cleanliness of the unit. Regarding the refrigerator, we noticed the absence of the freezer door, rendering the freezer unusable. When we asked questions about the RV, we were referred to a video explaining the operation of the unit. However, this video did not address all our inquiries. Additionally, the video mentioned that tools would be provided in case of problems, which unfortunately was not the case. Similarly, the video stated that we would have two keys, which would have been convenient, but once again, there was only one. We also noticed that the battery was only at a charge level of 11.5 volts. We were told that this was due to the late arrival of the unit and the lack of time to properly recharge it. However, it turned out that the battery was defective, preventing it from being recharged. This issue required us to stay at campgrounds every night, resulting in itinerary changes and unexpected additional costs. As for the operation of the RV, we found that the kitchen faucet was not functioning properly. When I expressed my dissatisfaction with this issue, I was simply told that if I wasn't satisfied, I could cancel the rental. This response was disappointing and contributed to my decision to refrain from asking further questions. Furthermore, right from our first stop, we were compelled to purchase AdBlue, as the warning system was triggered at the second corner. We also had to buy adhesive tape to secure the bumper and the two lights. Lastly, when we tried to lie down in the RV bed, we were surprised to find that the lack of support slats made the bed non-functional, and we ended up sleeping in the lower part of the vehicle. As owners of an RV that we regularly use autonomously in Canada, and considering my professional experience in this field, as well as the enjoyment my partner and I derive from RV travel, we have had the opportunity to rent RVs in various countries. However, this experience with your company is by far the worst we have ever encountered. I have attached some photos to illustrate the issues. We hope that you will consider these problems we encountered during the rental of your RV and that appropriate measures will be taken to improve the quality of your services.
Sincerely

We took out premium protection insurance to limit our "maximum" liability to $200. They charged us $5,400 for a dent and apparently there are lots of exclusions to the "maximum" liability (to name a few, break-ins, animals, adverse weather, accidents without a third party, below the wheel trim, above the windscreen, the inside, mechanical). Essentially they're scamming people out of obscene amounts of money and charging them 3 weeks after they return the vehicle. Horrible company!

Never again!
Our bad experience has started a week before the pickup date, when they informed us the Atlas camper (that one for 5 persons we booked) hasn’t been ready in time. We asked for any different solution that could host 5 people. They suggested us to book a camper for 4 people without take care that we were 5!
After discussions they finally guaranteed to prepare the Atlas camper (that one we booked) in time.
Everything seemed ok until the pick up day...
In order to save the time we decided to complete the check in online and we found the surprise.
They automatically changed our booking and put again the camper for 4 person.
We immediately called the assistance. They justified themselves by saying that they had forgotten to warn us and that they would have given us two 4-person campers for a supplement. Completely disappointed we accepted because the same day we haven’t find any alternative.
At the pick-up location we had the last surprise. They cancelled our premium insurance that we paid ( because we are under 25 and the booking system hasn’t recognized) and they asked us to pay 4000€ of deposit for 3 day of rent!
In particular we interfaced with Mrs. Mafalda from the assistance service, an arrogant, unprofessional and rude person.
Good words only for the campers that were ok and for Nelson the guy who gave us the keys.

Indie Campers Iceland. Where to start....the original location was moved without prior notice. Thanks to a taxi driver we managed to find it: no one present. After calling we were told the van was not ready antill after 19:00, 9 hrs after booking time. Hanging a day at a industrial area was no option so we drove by taxi to Reykjavik: €120 one way so €240. Gariela by mail: Please send us the receipt for the taxi expenses, we will refund them. It never happened......Finally at the pick up the check in was in a rush to get out so the van introduction took exactly 3 minutes… in the dark.
Upon driving of one of the headlights was not working. The check in lady did not answer the phone anymore.
We lost half a day of our vacation plus we had to spend 2x 18.000 crowns Reykjavik v.v. and a lunch in town. Costs we have yet to get reimbursed.
The left headlight does not work. It is simply dangerous to send your clients on the road like this. To get it fixed = spend too much valuable vacation time lost already.
One pillow is missing. We have one person IKEA summer duvet, too cold for Iceland in April. One pan is missing, only the lid is there. One full set of (paid!) travelkits was missing completely.
We had to drive back 1,5 hrs to Reykjavik to buy a pillow and the rest. Another half day lost and unnessesary costs made.....
The heater did not work . It blows hot air and next cold or in any sequence it wants but not as it should. All we get is 'a manual' which covers none of the issues. Completely useless. (10:36:15 PM) Joana Machado: Turn on the engine for 10 minutes without driving and after that turn on the heating - it's normal if it smells like diesel do not worry.
The spare heater in the back had a burn out some time earlier. It is molten and it smells like plastic when you turn it on. It is simply dangerous and can cause fire.
The fresh water tank is filthy. It's not hygienic. Look at the pics. Disgusting. The curtains are really too dirty to touch. To get in the upper bed we are supposed to work ourselves 1.5 mtr up without any step or ladder. A small ladder or so would have been nice especially for elder people like us. We had to buy a step at Ikea to solve.
The overall cleanliness of the camper is dirty, ....to say the best.
We got tired of solving problems and returned the camper. We had to rent a car to finish our ruined trip. We made a more than fair offer to settle things but Indie Campers would not hear of it. We were send home with 50% of the costs we made. The rent per night: a ridiculous 442€/night
Rental: 1526€
Taxi: 240€
Other expenses €110
Cash refund: 583.69€
voucher: 408.54€
What a sad, sad performance by Indie Campers. Mishaps can occur…but at least have the decency to offer a compensation less insulting for your clients.

Indie campers, the worst company I ever rent a motor home from. the worst problem our motor home brakes was completely worn out, the brake pads were in so bad condition that they were destroying the brake rotors, it is unbelievable that you could give a vehicle to a customer without properly inspect the most important mechanical and safety features such as brakes. The toilet didn't work so we weren't able to use It during our trip, the backbumper weren't secure and It fall down out no where while we drive. Also many other smaller problems as mulfuctioning Windows and drawers. We paid the premium insurance but with that the company are not talking their RESPONSABILITY for the problems they cause in our trip, even when we call to complain during our holidays with them . Indie campers its a Big lie, dont trust their insurances, and dont trust the maintenance of their veicules.

1. Picked up the van in amsterdam. We had an accidant on our way to slovenia in east germany. Both of the top windows got broken and were not waterproof anymore. We called the roadside assistance for a replacement car, since we took the premium insurance. They told us we would have to return the car to amsterdam to replace it (10h drive), even though it says on the website that they have depots all over Europe.
2. During our trip the leisure battery started overheating and smelling very badly, which is a serious fire hazard. Took a few hours to get a hold of the 24/7 roadside assistance. Because it took so long the workshops were not open anymore. They also did not reply to my questions about insurance of alternative transport or to stay overnight in a hotel of the car had to stay at the shop overnight
3. Everything is broken in the campervan. It is literally held together by tape. Very bad quality. Everything that we touch falls apart. We made a box to hold all the parts that fell off. These things were already broken before we left.

We are very worried about the coming costs, reading all the previous reviews where it says that they charge massive amounts for minor repairs. Even though they were present at pickup.

With 2 weeks to go they have cancelled the booking I made in the mid of April, just like that. The aggravation they have caused me is enormous, because if I want to recover my holiday with the same van, I will have to pay up to 4 TIMES MORE MONEY!. No explanations. Solutions, none. Just this email:

Your trip has been cancelled

Hello XX XXXX,

"We are sorry to hear that you have decided not to proceed with your Indie Campers road trip as per your initial booking. In line with our cancellation policy, we will proceed with your refund for this road trip. If you are entitled to a refund, we will process it within 7 working days. Depending on your bank, it may take a few extra days for the amount to reach your bank account, thank you very much!

Ich wurde wegen eines Mitarbeiters dieses Unternehmen gescammed. 1137€ sind weg keiner fühlt sich verantwortlich, obwohl es einen zuvor noch hieß, bei uns sind alle Fahrzeughalter geprüft, wir sind ein seriöses Unternehmen. Urlaubskasse ist weg alles im Eimer. Mein fünf jähriger Sohn Tod traurig, wir natürlich auch. Finger weg von diesem Unternehmen!

Do NOT use this company! They are scammers! Cheap quality van! No gas all week even though it was paid for! Van breaks down in the middle of nowhere! No help or advice!!! Had our toilet box brown into and stolen whilst we were away and have now taken almost £700 out of our account to replace! New ones are no more than £100
Bad customer service! Appalling manners! These people should not be running a business! Stay well clear of them!
They ruined our holiday and continue to cause grief 3 weeks after!
Shocking! This issue will be taken further!