Brandon Hire Station - Cambridge Reviews 

Exactly what I needed.

The guys were super helpful in the site. Helping me both load and unload the hire, everything was provided in good condition and working order. Would happily use them again if the need arised.

Called in advance before booking online to ensure the tool I needed would be available for that date. Was confirmed it would be and received email confirmation. When it came to the booked date, turned up to the branch just to be told that the tool I booked wasn't available and it had been hired out to someone else instead. Wasted fuel travelling. No goodwill offered.

Excellent customer service, helpful, knowledge staff.

I am still waiting for my refund from 1 month ago. Useless customer service, rude personal Cambridge branch

I have to say that even though I cant fault the service from Brandon Hires Norwich Branch, the Cambridge Branch is absolutely deplorable to the point that I will no longer use them on any of my sites.
Firstly, they have an assistant there called 'Jordan" who one morning when I enquired about the delivery time of my digger could only manage the word 'yeah' in succession, and another time, in an arrogant manner, qouted me from the hire contract, on this basis alone I wouldn't use them again, but it doesn't stop there:
Secondly, I have had to make repetive phone calls to have the digger collected from site and when it was collected, my deposit still wasn't paid back to me until I had made repetive phone calls. And to add, charges were also racked up and VAT added to fuel which I hadn't used:
From the digger I probably used about £15 worth & and not even £5 worth from the whacker plate, Brandon Hire have decided to charge me £80.00 plus VAT for fuel which I havn't used. So to me that is absolute daylight robbery and another reason why I will never use Brandon Hire again.....short term gain, long term loss.
Heres the killer Punch...
HSS hire have offered me very favourable rates for the Tele-Handler I require for 3 months starting in April and for the conveyor belt and my other plant requirements for my Ely site & a commercial contract I have tendered for in Norwich, they're also a pleasure to speak to on the phone.
23.3.24
Brandon Hire have acknowledged my complaint and asked for my order details which I have submitted to them......I have heard nothing since.

Faulty equipment meant I could not complete job, now refusing to refund me and very difficult to deal with, DO NOT USE!

Hiring process was quick and easy and staff were incredibly helpful in the Cambridge store. We hired a floor sander from them and they were so relaxed about us coming back and picking up extra sanding sheets etc. Wouldn't go anywhere else now to hire tools. Thank you Brandon Hire Station.

Awful - complete waste of time. ordered online, got confirmation order place, traveled a hour in traffic to pick up order, order not in store!!! complete waste of time and money!

Lovely discovery, brilliant no fuss hire at good prices.

Swift and friendly service, but the spring on one of the cams on one of the floorboard clamps I hired was broken.

Good range of products and options for duration of hire. Excellent communication before and after delivery and collection. Helpful driver.

Everything arrived on time and in fair condition, always had stock of items required at reasonable prices

What a terrible experience with National Hire and Brandon Hire Station Cambridge.

I rented a petrol-powered pressure washer through National Hire, but it actually came from Brandon Hire in Cambridge (Unit 22, Clifton Road Industrial Estate,
Cambridge, CB1 7EB).

It was completely useless. The National Hire website describes it as:

Demon Hurricane P2 Petrol Patio Cleaner Hire
Professional Patio Cleaner
Tough Petrol Engine
2200 PSI
Cold Water Spray
Twin Spinning Arms
Trolley Mounted Design
Detachable Lance
Cleans Patios, Decking & Paving Slabs
Save 14% on Average UK Price
Hire for DIY or Trade

The description states:
The Demon Hurricane Combi P2 is tough and robust patio cleaner, ideal for cleaning patios, decking, driveways, paths and more.

DONT HIRE THIS PRODUCT. IT IS LESS EFFECTIVE THAN A KARCHER PRESSURE WASHER YOU CAN BUY IN B&Q FOR A THIRD OF THE PRICE!

I tested it and it was spraying, showing 2,000 psi on the gauge but was clearly not shifting any dirt at all.

I had hired the product through National Hire for a week at a cost of £332 which was paid up front to clean our driveway and that of our elderly neighbours.

After a single use, I had to abandon my plans.

I noticed that National Hire doesn't accept feedback on the products it brokers hires for. Perhaps for good reason.

But the Brandon Hire Station website does. There are a lot of other complaints by other people hiring the product.

One customer stated in the feedback on the Brandon Hire Station:
"When I eventually got the petrol driven patio cleaner I found it to be useless. The main rotary cleaning head did not even remove moss. Had to use the lance instead. No better than my own pressure washer. Staff were very good dropping the unit off and explaining how to use it. Overall- total waste of money!"

I agree. The description is completely misleading.
I raised a complaint with National Hire who then told me that I could return it (which I did) but would not get a refund unless the product was faulty.

National Hire also went on to state: "I can appreciate if this is not performing on the flat surfaces either as that would be its intended use. This wouldn't be booked with a large scrub head to clean the cracks between slabs, as it says on the page "patios, decking, paving slabs, It provides a powerful cleaning solution for areas in the garden, outside the home and outside commercial premises" Primarily mentioning scenarios where the cleaning area would be large and flat. Can you advise what PSI your washer that you used to go over it with, is. as this does show as a 2200 psi, im just thinking in case its not receiving enough water to perform at full power."

This description from National Hire above carefully left out the word "driveways" which was the intended use. Weasley at best. Dishonest at worst.

I explained to National Hire that the water was being supplied fast enough to achieve 2,000 psi.

Now, having raised a complaint and returned the product early, having made the complaint within 12 hrs, you might think that National Hire and Brandon Hire Station Cambridge, would do the decent thing and refund the hire charges. Not a bit of it. They claimed that because it was working when they tested it, no refund was due.

I will never use either National Hire or Brandon Hire Station Cambridge ever again - not because the product didn't work (which can happen) but because the description is FALSE and they know that the description is FALSE and MISLEADING.
I would strongly advise anyone wishing to clean paths, drive, patios etc to just buy a Karcher with a multi-year warranty.

I will keep posting updates so that others can avoid this very costly mistake.

SHAME ON YOU NATIONAL HIRE AND BRANDON HIRE STATION CAMBRIDGE.

Hiring online was easy. On collection day my tool was ready, no paper work involved. I was able to extend the hiring period easily as I had not finished the job.

The man at BHS, Cliffton Road, could not have been more helpful. He had some useful advice, like using ear protection &c, but he didn't patronize, even tho this was the first time I had used a wall chaser. He did help by carrying the astonishingly heavy 5000VA isolation transformer to my boot, & the same when I returned the kit after the weekend.

Your branch was an hr late opening, the catch box was incorrect and would not fit, the item hired (scarifier) was broken and unusable and had to be returned, no other available. Had to re-order for the following week. Very unsatisfactory

Helpful staff and equipment in good order