Complaint Review: Action Air - Sacramento California

Beware of Action Air in Sacramento Owners  Dave Hoffman or Kathleen Houde

Dave and Kathleen rented one of my Off Road rental vehicle's 5-1-10. They were know it alls and very brash. I explained to them as I do all my customers please be patient while we go over the vehicle and safety instructions as I tell everyone the same thing. They interupted my discussion on safety and operation of the vehicle about three times in a four minute period with "yeah we have rented these before" and "we are here all the time" and my personal favorite " yeah we have quads so we know how to ride"...

After finishing the operation and safety recomendations of the vehicle and dunes - they asked for a helmet for a passenger. They stated they would be the only drivers and wanted one extra helmet for a niece who would just be a passenger. I gave them the helmets and said as I always do have fun & Be Safe.

Dave called me about 2 hours later to say that they wrecked the vehicle. I asked if everyone was allright - he stated the people were - but the vehicle was not. I said that's ok, just glad everyones safe. He said he was bringing the damaged vehicle back now.

Upon arriving to meet Dave Hoffman of Action Air - I noticed the vehicle was badly damaged. I am not a mechanic and explained the vehicle would have to go to the Polaris dealer to be fixed and get a proper estimate.

I noticed he was very nervous. He was repeating himself alot and visably uncomfortable. He kept saying my AMEX card will cover this. Thats why I used my AMEX card. I explained that I was not a mechnic but that I needed to charge his card $2295 and the bill could go up or down depending on the estimate from the dealer to fix it. Dave agreed and paid. He apologized and repeated himself a few more times. I asked what had happened and he admitted to me that they allowed thier niece to drive the car and that she wrecked it.

I took the vehicle into the local Polaris dealer the next day to pay them to check and advise the damage. After three hours to do so it was bad. Major repair needed. The damage included major frame damage, plastics, axles, tie rods etc.

After 2 weeks of run around from Dave and his many insurance companies I realized they were just wasting my time. I had the Polaris dealer fix the major issues and none of the cosmetic and got it back rentable between the dealer and my own labor.

I advised Dave that the vehicle was fixed and although it was yet to be completly fixed and back to its usual condition it was rentable again. I informed him that I was only going to charge him loss of use for the time the vehicle was down, but that the vehicle would need to be torn apart and have a new frame and all the damaged plastics fixed soon.

Dave stated that he would like to pay the total damages in two payments, one this month and one the next. Being as it was an expensive bill I agreed to let him do so.

So after not hearing from him for 3 days after him stating he would call with his first payment he answers the phone. He was very arrogant in tone and told me that the deal was off. He then repeated that the vehicle was fixed and rentable - and that he would not be required to fix it back to new condition as it was rentable now.

 He said that he called his card company and disputed all the charges - the rental fee - the security deposit - and the $2295 I orginally charged him as a guestimate for the damages. He said from that point on I could either agree to get him a cheaper estimate to fix it or get nothing and my lawyer could talk to his lawyer. Not to contact him any further...

Not wanting legal battles or customer issues I called the dealer to ask if we could lighten the bill a bit. The dealer stated that the original estimate is what he would do if the vehicle was his to fix it correctly. I agreed.

 After a couple more weeks I get letters from the bank stating that Dave is trying to get all of his money back,  my custom vehicle still looks like crap and is much harder to rent now. I get a call from his wife yesterday stating that they are going to fight me on the card charges and not pay the damage bill to fix the vehicle and that "she does not think I rented them a safe vehicle"...

Moral of the story is folks - do not deal with dave hoffman kathleen houde or Action Air of Sacramento CA. Thier word is no good and even with my signed contract he, and his wife will fight to avoid paying what they owe. Dead beat customers. Bad folks. They will screw you to if you give them half a chance.