Read Scooter Info - Still Don't Know who to use

[AmyS.]

I have mobility issues due to RA and Fibro and am unable to walk very far or stand for long lengths. We are going with two of our grandsons who will be full of energy so after much thought and reading I've decided renting a scooter is the only way I'll be able to enjoy this much looked forward to trip. I've never used one before and after reading a few months ago I decided to go with Apple. I just logged on again and see they have gotten some bad reviews on here and am questioning if I should switch to another company. We leave on Saturday so I really have to decide in the next day or so. Can anyone give me either reassurance on Apple recently or recommend who you think is the best choice? Thanks so much! Amy S.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have used both Walker, Care Medical and Randy's and all have been good.

 

[aubriee]

We go to WDW several times a year and for the last several trips we've used Apple Scooters. We've never had a problem with them or their ECVs. In fact, we have an ECV reserved through Apple for Dec 6th-16th and are not the least concerned. My mom loves their scooters.

 

[dawnhaze]

I used Apple in October and the scooter performed fine. The battery lasted through 16-hour park days without a problem. It looked a little beaten up but I could live with that. I can't speak to their customer service as I've had no need to contact them.

 

[peemagg]

I also have used Apple on several occasions without any issues. I would use them in a heartbeat again if I needed them. The only reason I am not using them on this upcoming trip is that I have my own personal scooter.

Apple even helped me once when my personal scooter when my batteries went bad. They didn't have to, but they did and I can't thank them enough for it!

 

[stitchlovestink]

I also have used Apple on several occasions without any issues. I would use them in a heartbeat again if I needed them. The only reason I am not using them on this upcoming trip is that I have my own personal scooter.

Apple even helped me once when my personal scooter when my batteries went bad. They didn't have to, but they did and I can't thank them enough for it!

I also own my own ECV and contacted them for assistance to see if they could point me in the direction of info since they have a fleet of pretty much identical scooters and they were excruciatingly RUDE!! There was no need for such rudeness! I would never do business with them after being spoken to like that!

 

[SueM in MN]

Every company has people who are pleased with them and others who were not pleased.
Considering the number of people who rent from each company, I would not be surprised to hear some negative reports about any of the companies. People are much more likely to report negative experiences than positive ones,

 

[scooby9932]

I used to be one to recommend Apple. After two trips with days lost due to multiple equipment failures, I'm no longer a fan. They do send people out to help, but it's not always quickly. Also, the people in the store who answer the phones are rude and argumentative. Their service person (Jose) was always very nice. Overall, their customer service & faulty equipment have led me to switch companies.

 

[Bete]

Every company has people who are pleased with them and others who were not pleased. Considering the number of people who rent from each company, I would not be surprised to hear some negative reports about any of the companies. People are much more likely to report negative experiences than positive ones,

I agree. I think this goes both ways for all companies.

I have rented from Apple scooter for many years and I've never switched to another company for a rental. We are using them for our December trip.

Actually, one time I rented a Disney scooter and it failed on me. Luckily a cast member came to our rescue.

I will say you need to be responsible for a rental scooter like charging the battery every night. You need to watch the gauge through the day to make sure it's keeping a good charge. You need not be a commando with one. You need to shut it off for parades, fireworks and shows to conserve the battery energy. You shouldn't use a scooter in the rain. You should seek shelter until the rain stops.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Every company has people who are pleased with them and others who were not pleased.
Considering the number of people who rent from each company, I would not be surprised to hear some negative reports about any of the companies. People are much more likely to report negative experiences than positive ones,

I agree but Apple does appear to have a bad rating with the Better Business Bureau. It would be interesting to see how companies like Walker, Randy's and others are rated with the BBB. It really doesn't speak well for your service/company when customers feel compelled to take their issues to the BBB...especially in volume.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree but Apple does appear to have a bad rating with the Better Business Bureau. It would be interesting to see how companies like Walker, Randy's and others are rated with the BBB. It really doesn't speak well for your service/company when customers feel compelled to take their issues to the BBB...especially in volume.

But, it's also important to see why BBB ranks them low, when the complaints were and how many.
Looking at the details for Apple on BBB, there were 4 complaints and the last one was in April of this year. The others were much older.
And 2 of the reasons BBB rated Apple low were that Apple did not respond to BBB (there is no requirement that they do so) and BBB wrote that they could not determine how long the company had been in business (because the company did not respond to their requests for information (again, not required they do so).

BBB is a rating company that businesses can choose to pay to be a member of. Businesses that belong to BBB get to put that on their website, so some see belonging as a marketing/advertising decision. Others don't want to pay for it.
Looking at BBB, Walker is a member with an A rating, Randy's does not exist (BBB says they can find no record), Buena Vista is not a member, but has an A- rating
( at one point in time, there were many complaints on this board about them, but that was many years ago).
I felt more positive about BBB until I tried to make a complaint about one of their member companies with a high rating in Minnesota. They did not do anything and my complaint did not even make their website. Since I felt very strongly, I went to the Minnesota Attorney General's office (they deal with consumer complaints about businesses in MN). I found THEY had a number of open complaint cases about the company. The company actually went out if business not long after.
So, take BBB with a grain of salt.

Certainly, if someone feels uncomfortable about a company, they can use BBB and other ratings, call the company to get a better 'feel' for the company or even cancel and rebook with another company.

 

[stitchlovestink]

But, it's also important to see why BBB ranks them low, when the complaints were and how many.
Looking at the details for Apple on BBB, there were 4 complaints and the last one was in April of this year. The others were much older.
And 2 of the reasons BBB rated Apple low were that Apple did not respond to BBB (there is no requirement that they do so) and BBB wrote that they could not determine how long the company had been in business (because the company did not respond to their requests for information (again, not required they do so).

BBB is a rating company that businesses can choose to pay to be a member of. Businesses that belong to BBB get to put that on their website, so some see belonging as a marketing/advertising decision. Others don't want to pay for it.
Looking at BBB, Walker is a member with an A rating, Randy's does not exist (BBB says they can find no record), Buena Vista is not a member, but has an A- rating
( at one point in time, there were many complaints on this board about them, but that was many years ago).
I felt more positive about BBB until I tried to make a complaint about one of their member companies with a high rating in Minnesota. They did not do anything and my complaint did not even make their website. Since I felt very strongly, I went to the Minnesota Attorney General's office (they deal with consumer complaints about businesses in MN). I found THEY had a number of open complaint cases about the company. The company actually went out if business not long after.
So, take BBB with a grain of salt.

Certainly, if someone feels uncomfortable about a company, they can use BBB and other ratings, call the company to get a better 'feel' for the company or even cancel and rebook with another company.

So in many respects, Disney is acting acting as the BBB for the scooter companies on its property. if they are requiring payment (a kick back from the company for giving them a "better" status) to be a preferred vendor, it's basically the same thing. So shouldn't the preferred vendors status be taken with a grain of salt as well? And use your suggestions for any company whether they are on the preferred vendor list or not?

 

[bidnow5]

So in many respects, Disney is acting acting as the BBB for the scooter companies on its property. if they are requiring payment (a kick back from the company for giving them a "better" status) to be a preferred vendor, it's basically the same thing. So shouldn't the preferred vendors status be taken with a grain of salt as well? And use your suggestions for any company whether they are on the preferred vendor list or not?

Not sure where this kick back stuff comes from and I don't believe that to be the case because a lot of the preferred venders are less than the non preferred.
The preferred status has more to do with liability issues. I know it was a big process that many venders were offered a chance and some didn't want to.

 

[AmyS.]

Just wanted to let you all know that I did call Apple and told them what I was hearing online and told them upfront I was very nervous and wanted to be reassured I would get a newer in good working order scooter before I gave CC info. The person on the phone was very friendly and nice by the name of Jean. She told me she understood and would make a note and then sent me a confirmation immediately.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer!

 

[weetot]

Amy: I'd be interested to hear a report from you "after" you have finished your trip to WDW.
I'm planning to rent an ECV for my first trip to WDW and haven't made up my mind yet who to rent from. Of course, I have until May 2015, but I'm trying to get an idea from what others report. True, everyone has a different experience, but it's nice to have a baseline.
Thanks.