How my $9.99/day rental cost me $400.00 (and potentially more)
Rented a car mid January 2017 just for in-state use. Picked-up the car at approximately 9am, completed a walk around and noticed an "ice dam" partially covering the front grill. Mentioned this to the agent (Brooks) to which he replied, it's no big deal. Outside temp was well below freezing and it was clean ice like it just came out of the wash bay and was parked, and the water draining down the hood eventually froze over the front grill.
In hindsight I should have removed the ice. Drove the car home and parked in the garage to pack for the trip. Garage is heated (above freezing) so I figured everything would melt and the ice over the grill would be gone by the time we were ready to leave around 3pm.
Went to pick up my child (7 mile round trip) and noticed a slight vibration that wasn't there when I drove it home initially. Even my child noticed the vibration on our ride home. Departed for our trip and once at highway speed (55+ mph) the vibration was worse so I contacted the Monticello office to arrange for a vehicle swap. There was nothing available and Brooks arranged for us to pick-up a vehicle at the St. Cloud office. Reluctant to drive the 40 miles with the vehicle, Brooks assured me it will be fine.
I chose to keep the car below 50mph to minimize the vibration. Arrived at the St. Cloud office without issue.....until the inspection at turn-in. Their Enterprise agent noticed the black plastic front grille was broken. Yep, I should have removed the ice during my initial walk around. Regretfully I swallowed hard and "accepted" the fact that it was my fault for not noticing and recording it in the first place. Shame on me, mental note, it's won't happen again. We're late already, have to unpack and repack vehicles and get on the road.
I was given the name, Sam, and number of the office manager for the Monticello branch to discuss and plead my situation. Consequently, Sam also manages the Elk River, MN office and I was informed he does not visit the Monticello office with any consistent frequency. I never received any form of communication from Sam.
FAST FORWARD 1.5 MONTHS
Early March 2017, I receive a call from Jay at Enterprise Claim Collections, in his voicemail, I received a return telephone number, his extension, and my claim number. Mentally I thought..."I guess Monticello Sam doesn't care about my side of the story" and just wants to process the damage claim. Within 9 minutes, I returned Jay's call at 1-866-300-4407 (go ahead and try to call - they are busy), entered his extension and left a voicemail with my name, claim number, etc. Approximately 1 week later, I called again, and followed up with a third call but I am not sure of the time span between calls two and three. No further communication from me or from Jay at Enterprise.
FAST FORWARD 2.5 MONTHS
Early June, (Saturday) I receive a call from Mary at Transworld Systems, Inc. stating that my outstanding Enterprise claim has been forwarded to collections. Needless to say I AM FLABBERGASTED! One child in college and another entering soon the first thing I think of is my credit is shot, how am I going to get college loans. Within 4 minutes, I call Mary back at Transworld and ask what this is all about. Granted, I was panicked but the conversation was something to the effect of I've been disregarding my claim with Enterprise, and they forwarded it to collections. WHAT??!!!! I'VE been disregarding the claim??!! Apparently the written communication they had been sending was to some address that I have no idea how they got. I've never lived or worked in Elk River so I am not sure how that address got into their system under my name. There would be no known recorded previous address, again....FLABBERGASTED.
Anyway, I'm informed by Mary that if I pay now, then it should not appear on my credit history or affect my credit score. Hesitantly, I blurt out my credit card for payment.
Me - "So, we're good now, no mark on my record, can I get a statement or letter from you stating this will not affect my credit?"
Mary - "No sir, we don't do that."
Me - "I understand Mary, can you put me through to your supervisor please, I would just like something stating that this is a mis-understanding / communication error and it is all taken care of now."
TRANSFER TO KAREN (Supervisor)
I reiterate to Karen my request for a letter or something in writing stating that this will not go against my credit score (college loans, remember).
Karen - "We don't do that sir. After 30 days you will receive notification that the bill is paid."
Me - "Yes, but if something happens during that 30 days, there is very little I can do to correct it. I just want something in writing from Transworld that says I "paid in full" on "this date" so I have proof."
Karen - "I'm sorry, we don't send letters sir."
.......and it's still going read more