This was the most HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE RENTAL EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD. RUN, DO NOT WALK,…read moreDO NOT RENT FROM THIS POOR EXCUSE OF A BUSINESS. I reserved a 3 row SUV 1-month prior to a 1-week trip. I even prepaid for the use of this vehichle. I got to the business, there were 2 other customers there waiting to pick up a vehichle. There was only 1 person working there. The other customers had been waiting for 1 hour and 30 minutes. By the time I had secured a car, I had waited for 1 hour 17 minutes. DO NOT EXPECT TO JUST WALK IN AT YOUR APPOINTED TIME AND GET A VEHICLE. What was even worse is that when I finally was able to sit in her chair to be assisted, she then informed me that she didn't have a vehichle for me, other than a little car. I reserved a 3-row SUV because that is what I needed. She finally, after many harsh words, asked her manager about how to resolve the issue. She said they had a larger vehicle, but it would be a $40/day upgrade if I wanted to rent that. I refused to accept that resolution because I had already paid and reserved an SUV 1 month ago. So the manager said to give like or better value at no extra cost. So, I finally had a vehicle identified, but wait, it gets worse. I still needed to sign the contract and then go out and see the vehichle.
Because it was a newer vehicle (1 year old) it had many bells and whistles. I asked her how to park, brake, move and adjust the seats, and work the a/c, stereo, navigation system, windshield wiper blades and lights. She said, oh, I'm not sure about all of that new stuff, you will just have to figure it out. It's probably like a lot of other vehicles. There is a manual in the glove box. Wow!!! why didn't I think of that?
So when I picked up the "van" it was SOOOO NASTY inside. It had not been detailed. It smelt like smoke, which I am highly allergic to. It had children's feet marks on the backs of seats, chips, cookies and other trash in the floor and seats. Before I could even take my trip, I detailed the inside of the car, cleaned the inside and outside windows so that I could see out of them. I vaccumed the carpet and interior. There were no mats in the floorboards so the floorboard carpet was well worn, stained, frayed and coming up. This was only a 1 year old car. Once past all of the nastiness, I was able to pack for my trip. It did handle very nicely and got great gas mileage. That was about the only plus of this whole trip rental.
When it comes to the contract and signing for something sight unseen, that was not so smart. Finally, I was picking up the car, after waiting about an hour, the lady did all of the computer work without letting me see anything that I was agreeing to. She took my credit card for putting a "$200 REFUNDABLE HOLDING fee" on it, printed out the contract, had me sign it BEFORE I even saw the car, or even saw the condition or the inside of the car. After I signed for the car, she quickly stuffed the receipt into a little folder. I did not look at the contract until I got outside to get the car. The contract said that the gas volume was 100% full. When I pointed out that the tank was NOT full, she told me to take a picture of where the level was in the car and not to worry about it. Just bring it back at the same level. I did that. It was a little bit more than about 50% full at pick up. In the store, she had said that if I wanted to pay for the "gas fill up" protection and not fill it back up on return, it would be $2.38/ gallon. That was NOT the case. When returning the car, it was a different lady checking the car back in. That lady said that the computer indicated that the tank was 100% full at pick up. On return, she recorded that it was returned at 90% full... So I was charged a $10.99/ gallon gas service fee. I pointed this out at check out and she said sorry I can't make any corrections or do anything about the bill, I have already closed out your ticket so you will have to call the billing department at the National customer service phone number to dispute the extra $90 charge. She kept saying, "I can't do anything for you. You will have to call the customer service line." Oh goodie, just one more thing I will need to do to finalize returning a car. When I called the number, it was this LONG phone tree that you had to use an automated assistance agent. After 45 minutes of going around and around with the telephone system, I finally was able to speak with a live person in "indonesia" or somewhere outsourced in a foreign land.
I think I got the gas part resolved, but now, within a month, I should get the bill for the toll-road "ez pass" used while on my trip. According to the website, if you leave the box open, you will be charged one useage fee but, If you leave the box closed, you will be charged for each toll. I was trying to find out what I was going to be charged, but the person said that the fee would be charged to your credit card on file.