Review Time
This was our second experience with wicked campers and it seems the quality of product and customer support is drastically worse in the newzealand branch vs our first experience in Australia. We knew from the first experience that the rental was a very basic and “budget” option. Some problems noted with the van included: broken ac, broken radio, cigarettes still in the van ash tray, cracked windshield, dangerously worn tires, and a coolant reservoir with a substantial leak. Though some problems are insignificant other show a glaring disregard for safety of their product. We wasted two full travel days in vehicle repair shops to address issues that should have been addressed before it was given to a paying customer.
The other aspect of our poor experience dealt with the abismal customer service/roadside assistance. Towards the end of our trip the poor tires resulted in a blown out tire. We would have simply put on the spare to make it to a town but the tool to access the spare tire doesn’t reach due to the construction of the bed platform. So we were stranded on the side of the road attempting to contact the “24hour” roadside assistance for 4 hours before we were finally able to get a
Hold of anyone. Thankfully a bystander came by to help us who had proper tools so we could change the tire. Upon finally reaching anyone at the wicked campers we were greeted with very hostile and rude customer service.
It’s really too bad because when we rented in Australia we had a very good experience. It’s a shame that the company doesn’t has that consistency through out all their locations.
With all of that said it might be worth the extra money for a rental service with a better and safer product.
Basically you get what you pay for.
Pros:
The van drove well and was comfortable driving, apart from a weird shudder when braking.
Bed was more comfortable than I expected although we also purchased a mattress topper to make it softer.
Customer service response was very quick and easy to deal with.
Cons:
The van didn’t have any AC and when we asked about it, the company pointed out that they don’t guarantee AC for vans in NZ. Sucked on the hot days driving down the highway at 100kmh with the windows down. I don’t think I could be blamed for assuming the car would have AC, renters beware, do not assume anything!
There are no mosquito nets on the windows so be prepared to be eaten alive at night unless you buy your own mosquito net.
The esky does not keep anything cold for longer than a day, we had to buy ice pretty much every day.
No real instructions on how to use the sink so we never did use it.
The music system does not have any other input apart from aux cable, so unless you own an iPod or an MP3 player you’ve got to get a radio transmitter and a phone holder because they don’t come with that either.
Things to be aware of:
There are no extras at all, no bedding (which is mentioned in the confirmation email) no sheets, no blanket, no pillows. Only the bare basics of cutlery and crockery.
If you want to be sure the car will have a toilet and be confirmed self contained it’s extra $$.
Honestly I could have dealt with almost everything else except the lack of AC. Thought it was a bit shady that while they don’t guarantee it on the website, they also don’t let you know that there is a high probability that you won’t have it.
We probably would not rent with wicked campers again based on the above information, but if you want the most affordable van rental for your holiday and don’t mind roughing it, this is the company for you!
I truly enjoyed my 14-day journey around the South Island in the vehicle. It arrived clean, was dependable, and the unlimited kilometers were perfect for exploring without any stress. There was ample space for two to sleep comfortably, setting up the bed was straightforward, and the portable toilet was quite convenient. The staff were friendly and supportive, and driving the van was a pleasure. Thank you once again; I would highly recommend this vehicle for couples or solo travelers on a budget who want to explore without spending excessively on hotels and rental cars.
We chose this as a budget-friendly way to enjoy our honeymoon on the south island, not expecting much given the price. Here are some areas that fell short for us:
- No instructions provided for setting up the bed or using the included items.
- The beds were quite thin; a topper would enhance comfort.
- We avoided using the sink and toilet due to unclear setup.
- Pickup and drop-off instructions were not clear.
- We received the vehicle with an empty petrol tank, which was confusing.
- It would have been helpful to have curtains for privacy or hooks to hang our items. On the positive side:
- The vehicle drove well and was enjoyable to handle.
- Its plain black design made it easy to freedom camp.
- The overall price was fair, and petrol costs were manageable.
This was the worst rental experience I've ever had, and I've rented many vehicles. The car was dirty both inside and out, had numerous dents, was nearly out of fuel, and there was no assistance available at pick-up time. I had to make three phone calls to find out what was happening. Additionally, the vehicle was covered in advertisements, including a claim of $175 per week, and we ended up paying $175 for the extras we had pre-booked.
This was the most disappointing rental experience I've ever had (and I've rented many vehicles). The vehicle was dirty inside and out, had multiple dents, was almost empty on fuel, and there was no assistance at pick-up (I had to make three calls to figure out what was happening). It was covered in advertising stating $175 per week, yet we still ended up paying that amount for the extras we had already booked.
I rented a mystery machine 2, expecting a colorful van like the one on the website, but received a plain silver one. Not a huge issue, but a bit disappointing. The pick-up in Christchurch was relatively smooth, though the key was in the wrong lockbox. There were no staff present to explain how the camper worked. The van felt worn and not particularly clean. The AC was ineffective, and I often had to drive with the windows down. The washer fluid ran out quickly, and there were no curtains for privacy. The kitchen utensils were also worn and not very clean. Considering the price, it was acceptable, but I expected more. I probably won't rent from this service again.
We enjoyed a week with a mystery machine, and it was a fantastic experience. It drove beautifully and made our South Island trip enjoyable. We were a bit surprised that the camper didn't include bedding or window coverings, which was inconvenient. Otherwise, it had everything we needed. It was a bit cozy, but that meant better fuel efficiency. I would definitely rent it again, just be sure to bring bedding.
Our experience with this rental service could have been better. After arriving in Queenstown, we took a ride to the rental location, but nobody was there. We waited and tried various phone numbers with no response. Eventually, some nearby workers informed us we needed a lockbox code. I had missed an important email regarding online check-in, which led to further delays. Once we got the keys, there was no guidance on how to use the camper. The camper itself was quite old and had spider webs inside. After traveling to various locations, it started making strange noises, making us hesitant to drive it far. While the price was reasonable, I would consider renting from a different service with newer vehicles and better communication next time.
The van was basic but served its purpose. The check engine light was on when I picked it up, and the fuel tank was half full, but the van was clean with spotless windows. The cooler was a bit outdated, but the cooker worked well. I reported the check engine light, but was advised not to worry. The van seemed overdue for service and needed new windshield wipers. The collection and drop-off process was straightforward; however, the lack of customer service present did not justify the extra fee. I hope my bond is returned quickly, as I've seen other reviews mentioning long delays.
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Offering cheap campervan hire in New Zealand. Backpackers choice for budget campers in Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington
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