U-Haul Moving & Storage of Groton

Easy and friendly service.

Terrible Experience with Faulty Equipment and Careless Management

I recently rented a U-Haul from the Groton Gold Star Hwy location, and it turned into an absolute disaster. The latch on the truck’s back gate was faulty, failing to lock securely despite my best efforts. While driving, multiple concerned drivers flagged me down to warn me that the gate was wide open, causing items—including my girlfriend’s great-grandmother’s valuable china—to fall out and shatter.

To prevent further loss or a potential highway accident, I had to purchase straps to keep the gate shut, as the truck was clearly unsafe to drive. When I returned the truck and showed the employees the faulty latch, they acknowledged the issue. However, when I contacted the general manager, Ryan Baron, he dismissed my concerns entirely, blaming me for not locking the gate properly. For context, I’ve worked as a mover for three summers—I know how to close a U-Haul latch.

I paid over $300 for this unsafe rental, plus another $97 to refill the tank, and despite buying insurance, I received no support or compensation for my losses. The lack of responsibility and care from the management was shocking, especially considering the safety risk posed by the truck. Unfortunately I won’t be using this location again and recommend that others steer clear. Regardless of me getting an insurance reimbursement and brushing me off because they don’t want to be accountable. I hope they fix this issue so this doesn’t happen to someone else because a fully loaded truck with a gate that pops open is a nightmare and would put other drivers life’s at risk as well as yours and any of your belongings.

Charged cleaning fee due to furniture blankets not being folded. This was never communicated to me and the staff could have inspected the vehicle, I would’ve folded them. Was also charged a missing equipment fee but was never given the equipment by the pickup location. Again if there was an inspection of vehicle or an inventory of equipment taken I could’ve addressed this. Overall very shady business practices. Was in need of another rental to finish moving this week, but booked through Enterprise. I have never received any alarming charges after the fact from them.