Simply put, horrible experience. For my job, I host events around the city. For one of our largest events of the year we book Silver Hammer Studios over at the NC Music Factory. For this event we needed to rent spider boxes and a scissor lift.
Sunbelt was mentioned as a vendor who was familiar with the venue and capable of providing what we need. I originally spoke with Ken who was quite friendly and since it's not my industry, he helped explained what all I needed. I touched base with him closer to the event to wrap up exactly what all we needed to ensure we didn't over book. When I called him, he explained he was still with the company but moving to another division/store but could still help - he was quite friendly until it came down to payment. I never argued the costs but he needed payment prior to the event, which typically takes our company 30 days to get payment. I told him I needed a W9 in order to process. Send it my way, I'll get you payment. After 3 requests never received the W9 from him so I'm still left not being able to get him paid. I receive a call from another employee as he kicked me over to someone else. I then had to re-explain to the employee what all I needed - again, super helpful til it came down to the payment. At this point not much time before the event and mentioned hey it's going to be hard to get payment prior. He argued with me that this was their policy - alright, understandable as a company and I will push to have the check upon delivery but still need that W9 in order to do so.
I receive an email the next morning from the new employee I spoke with - 48 hours before the event - stating they cannot deliver without payment (which I already knew). I requested for the FIFTH TIME a W9 so I can get the check processed and will have it overnighted. I never heard from the company again - not one word and no W9 was sent. That same day I called another company and booked them with no issues. And of course Sunbelt never showed up. Completely unprofessional to leave my event in the balance when payment was simply waiting on a document from your own company - a one page form that all businesses have on file. Not sure what was so hard about forwarding me over a document but they lost my business and we will never be calling them again to rent equipment for an event or any needs we may have.