S&J Self Drive Hire Reviews 

80
•
TrustScore 4 out of 5

4.2

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I hire a van on 23 August at the Branch in Romford. Until present date did not get my deposit money back. I contacted them three times they said me don’t hold the deposit as it was hold by the b... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I've recently used S&J Romford to move home, the vans were in good condition and cleaned. The staff were so professional and friendly I would thoroughly recommend this company.

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Called the Romford branch to get a van hired to moved, the team were incredibly friendly and helpful and even learned to me a few ratchet straps to use as it was a last minute hire Van worked like a... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding. I managed to order my van for the wrong day! S&J (Basildon) went the extra mile (no pun intended!) to sort me out a replacement at very short notice. It was larger than I needed or wante... See more

Company replied

Company details

  1. Van rental agency

Written by the company

We are a family run business established in 1996, committed to providing late model van hire at competitive price's. Branches In Ockendon, Romford and Basildon.


Contact info

4.2

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

80 reviews

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4.2

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(80)

14 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Above and Beyond Quality Customer Service

Had a week-long European haul I needed to complete in a Luton. On our way to the port the van we hired broke down, which meant we missed our ferry. Not only did Steve extend the hire period so we could complete the run, but he booked us new ferry tickets at cost to himself so that we could get on the road.

Later, while disembarking the ferry, we were erroneously guided into a collision by their load team. In another situation this could’ve been a disaster, but again Steve and the team worked with us to ensure the ferry company paid out their liability, and they are currently in the process of claiming back the excess. Note S&J have no legal obligation to repay our excess, but they’ve chosen to do so in the name of outstanding customer service.

I will definitely and exclusively use these guys again for any further jobs, and in the meantime will shout their praises from the rooftops.

2 November 2022
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Many thanks for your kind words Jack.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The S&J in Romford are the best

The S&J in Romford are the best. The staff there are soo patient and helpful. Really pleased and happy to use this branch for van hire for all of my catering gigs

6 August 2022
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thank you very much Christina, We look forward to seeing you again

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Having hired from S&J Basildon branch…

Having hired from S&J Basildon branch on numerous occasions I would highly recommend them to anyone needing a van. The staff are all extremely helpful, polite and go out of their way to help if they can. 10/10 I wouldn’t use anyone else.

20 July 2022
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thank you very much Mr Lawrence

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I was upgraded to a brand new van 😊

Those nice people at S & J in Basildon didn’t have the Boxter van I was expecting, so look what they’ve given me instead. A fabulous new, and I mean “only done 300 miles” new, long wheelbase Transit.

What a great vehicle. I’m not a small person and the French van seats aren’t designed for a wider UK backside, like mine; something to do with the tiny portions you get with a continental breakfast compared to a good old full English. This Transit though, it’s like an arm chair, loads of room. I’ve also got osteoarthritis in one hip, but that’s okay because the seating position in the transit is perfect for dealing with this. I’m in and out of different cars and vans all the time, trucks and tractors too sometimes, and this new Transit’s without doubt the most comfortable vehicle I’ve driven in months.

I’ll have a better idea in 48 hours when I’ve put a few more miles on the van but the initial impressions are good, very good. It feels so solid, really well screwed together. There’s a good radio and loads of pockets and cup holders.

There’s a good chance Dean’s not going to get this one back. I love it.

I guess I should say something about the staff at the Basildon branch of S and J; As always they were brilliant this morning. They got all the van hires who’d turned up before me away quickly with no fuss and hardly any waiting around. They’re always so good it’s hard to find something new to say about them. They’re even good value.

Now I’m off to do some work, deliveries and collections all weekend, So lots of time in the van,

happy days😊😊😊

8 May 2022
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thank you for your kind review William

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you for making our removal easy…

Thank you for making our removal easy with your first class personal service. Van was superb to drive . Pick up and drop off was easy. May you business thrive as you truly deserve. Would recommend to all.

13 April 2022
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thank you so much for your very kind words June, they mean the world to us. We wish you and Peter every happiness in your new home.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant service

Brilliant service. South ockendon branch always helps me out whenever I need to get a van asap. Never had a problem and I don’t think I ever will.

28 March 2022
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thank you for your kind review Josh

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

S&J makes hiring a van a pleasurable experience.

I've used S&J van hire from Ockendon on numerous occasions over a number of years and each time I have received excellent service. Other businesses could learn a lot from these guys.
Keep up the good work.

1 March 2022
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Than you very much for your kind review.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Hired a van for ockendon branch…

Hired a van from ockendon branch couldn’t recommend these anymore brilliant quick booking I needed a van for the next day and there was 1available all good bunch of people they are very helpful and will be booking with use again

29 December 2021
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thank you very much for your kind review and custom.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A really positive experience

I've just returned the vehicle and was really impressed by the quality of the Vauxhall van and the ease with which I was able to collect and return it. The staff at the Romford branch are helpful and straightforward - a pleasure to deal with. Seems to me to be a genuine family company that does its best for its customers. Would definitely recommend.

22 August 2021
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thank you very much for your kind review & your custom.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolute joke!!

My name is sarah mist. While on hire a stone chipped the window screen, on returning the van I was told it can’t be repaired so I had to pay for a new one. An invoice was sent to me and within 30mins they took the £300 from my account WITHOUT my permission!! I’m a single mum with 4 kids moving house by myself and this has made it more stressful. I have explained this but the company from south ockendon are not responding to me at all!!!
I’m now £158 overdrawn and have no money at all!!! I have got legal advice and now have to take legal action as should have only paid £50 excess and the money should never of been taken as I emailed them to set up a payment plan and they have left a single parent with no money. UN

13 August 2021
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Good morning Sarah.

As you say the windscreen was damaged irreparably whist you hired the vehicle. We have adhered to the terms of the rental that you agreed to in signing the agreement. I am not sure who has told you that you should have paid £50 excess as the our insurance excess is £1000 as explained in your booking confirmation email and on your rental agreement. As windscreens are no where near £1000 we are not going to charge that but only for the cost of the screen.

We are unaware of any offer to set up a payment plan but when we called you yesterday to explain we would be willing to set up a payment plan as we do not want to leave you without any money, we was told we are a terrible company (or to words of that effect that are not appropriate for this platform) and that you will see us in court.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Pleasurable

The staff were very efficient and made hiring the Luton a very smooth and quick process. I was in and out driving before I knew it. Clean and well looked after vehicles. Would highly recommend to anyone. Thanks again.

9 August 2021
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thanks very much for your custom and your very kind review David.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazingly helpful company

Amazingly helpful company, vehicles are first class, service is top class.
Would strongly recommend.
Used many hire companies through out the years but this is the best by far!

30 June 2021
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Many thanks for your feedback Mr Taylor, Glad we was able to help.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor service

Me and my husband hired a van from the Romford branch. Is was our moveing day so very stressful.and the van was late getting back. And the service was very poor the so called fleet Manager Steve was very rude he showed us round the van which was very dirty and had all rubbish in the van we ask him if it could be cleaned and he replied no.

25 June 2021
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Hi Kim, Thank you or your feedback. I am unable to locate a recent booking on our system under this name. If you could kindly email me at info@sandjselfdrive.co.uk with your booking reference so I can look in to this matter further with the staff at Romford.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly recommend S and J van hire…

Thoroughly recommend S and J van hire at South Ockendon. Professional and friendly service end to end. Great communication throughout. Vehicle was excellent, brand new 7.5t vehicle, auto with radar cruise control (which was very handy for the 3.5 hour drive I had to do up to Worcester helping a family member move house!). Dean did a great job of talking me through all the vehicle functions and making sure I was comfortable with the vehicle.
Fantastic value for money.
Thanks to all the team at S and J van hire South Ockendon.

25 June 2021
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Many thanks for your very kind feedback Mr Morallee. I have passed your sentiments on to Dean who assisted you with your booking.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have used S&J hire many times over…

I have used S&J hire many times over the last 10 years + and will continue to use them when all our vans are booked out as we are a removal company. Out of all the van hire companies they are the best I have used and will never look elsewhere if they have a van for us which is normally 99.9% of the time!

7 June 2021
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thanks for the kind review Jim, We appreciate your loyal custom. Thanks again

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

NEVER AGAIN

NEVER AGAIN!

Absolutely appalling service! Rude, unfriendly and sarcastic staff especially one of them who wears glasses (and walks around with a miserable face).

I paid the £100 deposit which hadn’t been returned after 2 weeks. Called to enquire about it only to be spoken to in a sarcastic and rude manner. The guy who answered began shouting down the phone claiming that the money never left my account so it wouldn’t be returned which is nonsense. I was told the deposit would return to my account between 7-10 working days when I took the van out and now I’m being told rubbish. I’ve hired from many other van hire companies and worked in a bank. I’m well aware of how preauthorisations work.

Really poor customer service! I will NOT be hiring from here again! There are loads of transparent and more affordable van hire companies out there!

4 June 2021
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

The pre authorised deposit does not leave your account if we have no need to draw down from it, it is held by your bank as a pending balance for 7-10 working days for most banks. Metro, Monza and app based banks can take up to 30 working days to release your money for car & van hire bookings. Please check your banks T&C's for how long it takes them to release pre authorised funds.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

No fuss straight forward great price

I hire have hired 2 vans from SandJ Basildon and very impressed with their service and vehicles i used. Prices are are very good prob best i could find in the area for the quality of vans available. The online booking is straight forward and easy and the pick up drop off is the same! Very friendly and will def recommend and use again.

9 May 2021
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Thank you very much Mr Wright

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Used this company 5 or 6 times

Used this company 5 or 6 times, will definitely be the last, a hub cap was missing when I returned the van which I’m 85% sure wasn’t on there when I collected the van, they charged me £95.20 to replace it, feel like I was ripped off, can buy a full set of hub caps for £20 in halfords

26 April 2021
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Good morning Mr Austin.

As you say you have hired from us a few times and never had a problem. Unfortunately on this occasion the van come back with a wheel trim missing CCTV footage shows you leaving our yard with all trims present. It is a 2020 van and whilst we agree the cost of the wheel trim was expensive, it does have to be replaced with the correct part not just anything from Halfords. You where charged exactly what we where by Citroen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This is the first time I have used S&J…

This is the first time I have used S&J vehicle hire and I must say I was very impressed from start to finish. I Hired the vehicle from the Ockenden depot and with in minutes I had the Truck, I returned later that day and met Tony who checked the vehicle over and said thank you really it was me who should have said thankyou. The vehicle was very clean and Dean made sure I understood everything about the truck before I drove it away and not only do I recommend S&J I will also be hiring from S&J again.

19 April 2021
Unprompted review
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Reply from S&J Self Drive Hire

Good morning Alan, Thank you for your kind words, I will pass them on to Tony and Dean.

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