Aurora Rents

I just texted my husband, «Wow, the people at Aurora Rents are really awesome.»
We used Aurora Rents to get a small supplementary fridge for the holidays last year, and it was the best idea we ever had! It totally gave us the extra space for our big holiday affair. When our old primary refrigerator crapped out this morning, I panicked, but then realized while we’re shopping for a new fridge, we can rent a small fridge. I called up and talked to Darren, who was helpful in finding the soonest time-​slot available, along with offering some ideas on where to shop. Within an hour, though, I found a replacement fridge that could be delivered in two days from a local shop, so I had to call back Aurora Rents. Darren picked up the phone, and was pleasant and wished me well, even though I was cancelling a reservation.
We’ll definitely be using Aurora Rents for our next big holiday party!

Very helpful staff. They advised me well and saved me money in the process. Bruce was very helpful and jovial and he is the reason I didn’t spend more than I needed. There was no «mansplaining» but just honest feedback and help.

Similar to a few other reviewers I also had an unpleasant experience with Bruce. Extremely rude and insulting. He told me «I should buy a new house». Due to the fact we were renting equipment to fix something on a older house. Amongst other comments the one I really left annoyed with was when I returned the equipment I simply asked for help getting it out and he claimed I was «pulling the girl card». — Saying this direct at me! I kept my composure and just left. I will NEVER go there again.

I rented a pair of cocktail tables this past weekend. Walked in at 10 AM on a Saturday and was on my way a few minutes later. Plenty of staff on hand to handle a busy day. One gentleman handled the paperwork while another ran across the lot to grab the tables. Upon return I walked inside to check out while another worked was already unloading my car for me. Price was also very competitive and they had stock on hand even during this busy time of year.

Delivery was a bit late and scheduling pick up was confusing because they had a driver out sick –so they had to give us a discount later. Customers should be sure to double triple check with them on drop off and pick up times.

These people are friendly and awesome! We rented tents for our unexpected very rainy wedding. Their prices are fair and the staff is very helpful. We brought our tents back just a little bit late but they didn’t charge us! We will definitely be using them again!

Just wanted to say the first time I met Bruce I was being a grump having a bad day.
Of course like most grumps I tried to pass it on to Bruce but he just wasn’t having it.
Over the course of the years this guy has been one of the best people in my life, and I’ll bet his equipment and attitude has seen some people through some cool building projects and good times, most of us probably drive by them and just don’t even know.
Thanks Bruce and aurora rents.
Dana Harper
Legendary Tree

Avoid Aroura Rents — In my experience this place is not a safe customer focused operation! I
rented a hot tub dolly and a hot tub trailer. I called at 7:30 am and made certain it was available to rent. I was assured it was there and asked when I would be there to get it. I said within the next hour, that meant by 8:30. When I arrived the manager was there to check me out, as I paid we spoke about the cost of tubs and his new tub and had a pleasant exchange.
I went out to where the equipment is an older guy out there started to explain to me that he repairs the equipment and maintains the machinery. He stated he had just rebuilt this trailer. He went out of his way to get a converter for my trucks power supply. I was stoked because mine was not readily available. I left the rental shop and headed to pick up the hot tube. The trailer was very difficult to control it was pulling towards the right a bunch. This trailer is 8′ by 8′ it is specially sized to transport hot tubs. It takes up all the spaced in you lane and then some if you are on a side street. I was having trouble keeping the trailer straight. I stopped at my house 40 blocks away from the Aroura Rents. I was worried about the trailer. As it turned out there was a flat tire on the passengers side on the trailer. As I look back, I am lucky that I didn’t hit anything!
I called the store and the person on the phone said something like, is there a hole in it or is it just low? I don’t know. The response was «they would get to me in 15 min with a canister of air». I waited over 30 min for the person from the shop to arrive with the portable air and fix the situation. As it turns out it was the same guy that was telling me he just rebuilt the trailer. This guy pulls out a generator and fires it up. However it gives him some warning light and he passes this information along to me. I am wanting to get my job done but still watching this guy fool with the generator and then here comes the air compressor. But wait, the generator won’t fire the compressor. This is now getting old but comical at some level. Luckily there was enough leftover air in the compressors tank to do the job.
However couldn’t he have done that from the get go, and saved me time that they are billing me for?
I manage to get the job done and I am on I5 in traffic at 4:50 between the UW/​Green Lake 45^th/​65^th exits. I call and get the front desk girl that in the past has not been stellar. She says just bring it back in the AM. To which I said «I am very close and have no way to lock it up for safe keeping overnight.» (the tongue is not lockable) She says well we close in 10 min. I explain the fact that they had inconvenienced me this morning with a flat tire on the trailer the sent me down the road with. Considering that perhaps I may impose on them to wait for my arrival as I may be a few min late. If your not willing to say yes ask the manager or let me talk to someone that will be responsible for this. The manager bruce picked up the phone and began with what do you want? I started with I just explained my situation the the person that answered the phone.(with a agitated voice) From there he accused me of being violent over the phone he then hang up on me. I called back and said is that really how you want to handle this? He exclaimed just get the trailer here I didn’t know what you wanted you want to drop it off late just get it here so we can unload it! I ended the call there.
At 5:07 I arrive the gate is locked and no one is around. The same guy that sent me out with a flat tire and came to fill it with a malfunctioning generator and air pump combo, comes out to open the gate. I tell him you don’t need to be involved in this why don’t you ask the manager to come out? He says you don’t want to do that. I say that guy was an ass to me just now on the phone I definitely want to speak to him about this situation he is the manager. Your not going to talk to my brother like that the guy says. That should have said it all to me but I believed his brother now as it turns should hear about my dangerous drive due to their negligence. The return was unpleasant and hostile from the start. Bruce and his brother as I found to be are not invested in the success of that company, the proof is in the pudding.
Avoid Aroura Rents — In my experience this place is not a safe customer focused operation!

Good selection of Stihl goods. Easy sales staff to deal with but the customer service sucks. The front desk chick should be the vice president of Sales Prevention.

I rented a Bosh Rotohammer for a day. When I rented, Aurora put a hold my card for value of the hammer, 343.99. I returned the hammer and was charged rental for the hammer, just over $ 50. I noticed that the 343.99 continued for some time as a hold on my cc. I was not worried about it, thinking the bank was just slow, but as it turned out Aurora charged me the 343 on top of the rental fee.
When I called, they immediately ‘fixed’ this, but I did not get much of an apology. I am still waiting for the credit back to show on my online bank statement.
Just make sure you are very careful about inspecting your invoice document.

I was pretty excited about renting a cotton candy machine from Aurora Rents– the price was great, and the location was really convenient. I also rent kind of a lot of stuff as the event coordinator for a huge organization.
We picked it up and were given a print out of the instructions. We set it up about 20 minutes early «just in case» and thank goodness we did because it was a nightmare. It was forming globs of cotton candy and spraying webs of sugar all over the floor, wall and anyone of the 150 guests who got near it. THIS WAS WITH THE COVER ON. Spun sugar just shooting out the front. We had no idea what was going on– we put it together with all the pieces, like the instructions said… We turned it off, cleaned it, tried again…
Then I realized, in the picture, there were 7 pins holding the mesh in, and we only had 3. It took about 40 minutes, but we got it to work using giant binder clips to hold the mesh in correctly (Which PS, should be in a sort of hexagonal shape, inside the bowl).
The next day, I called to mention this to Aurora before my friend dropped the machine off. We missed about a third of our event (a kids halloween carnival) because the machine was malfunctioning, and it was pretty frustrating. The woman on the phone told me I should have called, and they would have brought us more clips… except that it was in the middle of our event, at 5:30 on a thursday night. So then she says, «Well what do you want me to do?» And so I said a small discount would be nice, since it didn’t work for the full event. And she said fine, they’d give us the discount, and basically hung up on me.
When my friend dropped it off, the guy behind the counter told him that we didn’t remember to take all the clips, and that I was rude on the phone.
Sure, our fault. I, as all customers surely are, am acutely aware of all required pieces for candy making machinery.

We rented a sound system from them for our wedding. Everything was great. Ordering was easy, pick up and drop off were straightforward, and the sound system was easy to set up and use. Everyone that we met at the Greenlake location was super nice and helpful!

Renting equipment turned into the easiest part of our backyard project!!! We pulled in to the parking lot a few minutes before they were even supposed to be open. One of the guys asked what we were renting, we told him, then went inside. Before we had finished the paper work, our stuff had already been loaded into the back of our truck. Drop off was a breeze as well.
They also have two awesome dogs that hang out in the store, so an extra star for them.

The staff is knowledgable, the equipment was in acceptable condition, and the delivery was timely. My main complaint is they’re not up front about fees. I’ve used them twice and come away both times surprised by the cost. I asked about delivery and was told $ 25 – they failed to mention the $ 7/​mile charge which essentially doubled the delivery fee. They also seem to inflate these milage charges – google maps says 2.9 miles, they charge for 3.5. They also fail to mention that all of their rates inflated with a hidden 10% «damage waiver» fee. Any of these things in isolation would just be annoying, but in total they amount to nearly $ 100 of undisclosed fees and charges.

I’m a landscape contractor and these guys are the best. After trying out various rental places, Aurora Rents stands out as higher-​than-​average for equipment condition and customer service. All locations are equally awesome. In the rare case that we’ve had problems with the equipment, most of the times they’re able to help me troubleshoot over the phone & if the equipment is really problematic (which is very rare), they’ll send a truck out with a replacement machine right away at no charge.
We rent from them dozens of times a year, and feel well taken care of every time.
And just to clarify on those couple of folks who think the manager, Bruce, is rude. Bruce is one of the nicest & most genuine guys I’ve met. He simply is sometimes too honest and direct for some of these passive Seattle folk. He will simply tell you straight up his opinion on something — which, in my industry, is worth a lot of time, money and headache. If he gives you a piece of advice, and you don’t take it, then mess something up (like get the wrong lift), then let him know what happened, he might say «I told you that wouldn’t work!» Also, sometimes people will be on the phone asking a million questions about prices and things and he’s got a line of like 5 people waiting to rent something — so, he’ll let them know now isn’t a good time, that maybe they should call back later. Is that a crime!!?
As long as you’re reasonable, you won’t be disappointed. If you want to be disappointed, go to Handy Andy, where they’re equipment will often fail and they take pride in being rude to customers. Yey!

The staff have to be the nicest people in the world, and not to mention they have the sweetest shop dogs there to entertain you while you wait for your gear!
They have a lot of gear and I would definitely rent from them again but in the future I think ill just triple check my needs, test the equipment and be more specific with my reservation to avoid any possible confusion. It was probably me but just mixed up my reservation a bit but they were quick to help and fix things!

This location has everything — if they don’t — they will get it for you — all of their equipment is in great shape — their propane is cheap — talk to Henry (considerate guy) — he will supply your needs!
UPDATE: I did business with Aurora Rents-​Greenlake again last week — Henry is the man — thanks!

The staff was efficient and the prices reasonable. Only reason not giving five stars is that on two separate occasions the staff spoke to me like they were annoyed/​exasperated/​in a bad mood.

What a weekend I just had. So I rented a bobcat skid steer loader from aurora rents to do some yard work on Sunday. Dave was at my house ready to drop it off right at 10 when they said they’d be there. That’s a great way to start things off. Can’t say enough nice things about Dave. He was abnormally courteous and really pleasant. We ran over the details of using the machine, and then he was on his way. Said to call when I was done and they’d come pick it up.
The bobcat itself was in pretty good shape for a rental. The bucket tilt seemed a little sluggish, but nothing that hindered its use too badly. I think the hydraulic pressure in that line may have been a little low.
Anyways, things were going great till about 2:00. This weekend we happened to get record setting rain, and well, my yard was pretty squishy. One back corner in my backyard was especially soft. And I got a little too close and as I’m sure you can guess… The bobcat got stuck. Boy howdy did it. The back left wheel had sunk down so low that the front right wheel was completely off the ground. I tried for about an hour to figure out some way to get it out, but it was just futile.
I had no choice but to call aurora rents and see what we could do. The initial suggestion was to call a tow truck. Which would have been a great option, if the bobcat wasn’t in my backyard, where no tow truck could get to. We went through a couple different options of what was available for me on the phone. I had already tried the digging out option, so that was a no-​go. Next on the list was either to rent a come-​along and try getting it out that way… Or renting another machine to pull out the bobcat.
I hung up and tried one last time to crank it out using some turnbuckles I had on hand, but that was getting me no where, and the amount of tension in that line was making me quite nervous. I ended up calling back a little after 3 to see if I could still rent a tracked excavator. I had just under 6′ of clearance between my house and the fence to get something to the backyard, and luckily enough, the 10′ excavator they had available was 5’6″ wide. 3″ of clearance on either side.
Perfect. So Aurora Rents closes at 4:00 on Sundays, but they were still willing to bring me the excavator after 3:15. That was really helpful. They didn’t know it, but I was going out of town the next day, so I really would have been screwed if they couldn’t. I don’t know what I would have done.
So back came Dave. Just as courteous as the first time. Unloaded the excavator (with tow chain). Ran over how to use it and off he went.
Was able to squeeze the excavator by the house and successfully pull out the bobcat. At this point, Aurora Rents was closed.
My wife called for me the next day when they opened to let them know that both machines were ready for pickup. I tried to do an extra good job cleaning them off to be nice.
We had never discussed pricing for renting the second machine, so I was expecting the worst. I got a call later that day from Dave with a final update. They only ended up charging me half price for renting the excavator (full-​price for the bobcat) and waived the delivery fee on it. Obviously, there are no guarantees that this would happen again this way, but I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
Yes, I screwed up. I definitely accept that. But what could have easily been over a $ 300 mistake, only ended up being about $ 160. Considering what could have been, I’ll take that very happily. I received nothing but courtesy from everyone at Aurora Rents I interacted with, and I have no reservations about using them again for any rental needs I may have in the future and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to rent something.
It’s nice to see some companies still care about customer service and building customer loyalty. It’s no coincidence that there are so many 5-​star reviews for them that all praise their customer service.
Thanks for everything Aurora Rents!

My friends and I used Aurora Rents for an open mic night we were hosting at a theater in South Lake Union. We had called around a few other places and found that what we needed to rent (which was just a microphone, mic stand and a 25ft cord) was renting for a few hundred dollars for the night. We were very pleased to find that at AR, it would cost us only about $ 28 total (WITH insurance coverage!). So, first off, it’s cheaper than most.
Secondly, the service was outstanding. When my friend called to ask if they had what we needed, the kid on the phone went back and forth several times with her — checking to make sure that the equipment they had for rent was exactly what we needed, never giving us a «Yeah sure» when what he really meant was «I don’t know,» and generally being super nice in dealing with out specifications. He deserves a raise.
Thirdly — though they may close early on Fridays, as one fellow Unilocaler mentioned, they are actually open on Saturdays and Sundays! My friend picked up the equipment on Saturday morning, we had our show, and she dropped it off without a single hitch on Sunday morning.
We will NOT hesitate to use them again if need be, and will certainly do our best to recommend Aurora Rents for anyone who needs something they don’t have and wish to have a solidly great experience. Hats off, guys.