This was my first time at Franklin and I rented a 7900lbs mini excavator and trailer for the…read moreweekend for ~$500. I've rented these machines several times at Sunbelt, but they didn't have one in stock so I gave Franklin a try even though they were ~$50-100 more expensive. I'm a homeowner, and I rented this for personal use at my property. My initial experience was very pleasant, and Robin was very helpful in setting me up w/ my rental. After an hour or two of use on the first Sat I had a track come off the rental around noon, so I called Franklin and left a voicemail. I got a call back pretty quick, and was informed the mechanic was on another call and that he may not be able to come before dark. I struggled to get the track on and failed. The mechanic arrived Sun around 10a and managed to get the track on after 1-1.5hrs. He was very friendly. The track came off again Sun around 5p and I called again and left a voicemail. This time I didn't get a call back, so I called Mon morning and a mechanic came that morning and got the track on in 20 min and kindly brought the machine back to the shop with him. From my research in talking to a buddy that runs a landscape company and some Googling I found that the issues I had with the track can be either user error or worn equipment. It's entirely possible the problems I had were my own fault as I was working in rocky soil on a slope, and rocks often made their way where the track goes. I stopped by the shop later that Monday and asked about getting the machine the following weekend, and I asked if we could work out some sort of a deal because I had so much downtime the previous weekend with the delay in the mechanic arriving etc. Not only did he offer a deal, but the deal was no extra cost to me! I was very happy that I wouldn't have to pay more and that I would get the job done. Later that week I received a notice in the mail that I was being charged a fuel fee of ~$50 because the machine was returned empty. Remember, I wasn't the one that returned the machine, it was the mechanic, so I didn't have the opportunity to stop and fuel up. I wasn't concerned about the extra ~$50 because I was getting the machine for another weekend at no extra charge. Receiving the machine this past Fri went smoothly, and I was able to get the job done this weekend despite the rain and with no track issues. I returned the machine this morning, and was greeted by the mechanic and he helped me unhook the hitch that was somewhat jammed. Robin came out and asked my name so she could get my ticket. She said "you know you're going to have to pay for us to clean that". I told her I did not know that. She said it will take 3 hours for them to clean the machine at $75/hr. She told me I was welcome to return it later after cleaning it myself. I told her that I was on my way to school and that I live 35 minutes away and that I wouldn't be able to bring it with me to school. I told her I was unaware that I needed to return it clean, and that this was my first time renting with Franklin. I told her that I recalled her clearly stating to make sure to fuel up the machine before returning it, but that she did not say to bring it back clean. She seemed not to trust my honest recall of the machine-return expectations. Now is where I may be entirely ignorant, but I was under the impression that returning earthmoving equipment dirty was commonplace. As I said earlier, I've rented from Sunbelt several times and I've returned equipment with mud on it and was never charged a cleaning fee. Perhaps they have a similar policy and haven't enforced it with me and I've been spoiled? As I said to Robin, had I known the machine had to be returned clean, I would have definitely cleaned it to avoid a $225 fee. I'm certain I could have cleaned it in an hour or less at my home. Robin called me during my drive and said they would lower the fee to $150. I said thanks. I will not be renting from Franklin again. An otherwise pleasant customer experience was ruined at the end. I'll go to Sunbelt next time.

From the owner: We offer equipment rentals, servicing, repairs, and sales. We offer special deals on Wacker Neuson…read moremachines and equipment. Whether you need equipment for construction, landscaping, or agriculture - we got you covered! We have locations across the South and Midwest.