Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

jake069

Seaman
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
58
I recently went to California on a 5 day 4 ballpark vacation with my brothers and father. The trip was awesome, except for the rental car. Here's A letter I'm mailing to both the SFO location as well as the corporate office.


Dear Enterprise Rent-A-Car,

I?m writing this letter to inform you and anyone else who reads it of my complete dissatisfaction with your company.

On July 22 2009, I called 1800-rent-a-car, and made a one way reservation (code JDGB7F) from The San Francisco Airport to the Los Angeles Airport, picking up the car August 5th and returning it on August 9th.

After our plane arrived, I went to the Enterprise desk and gave the Enterprise employee my name. He couldn?t find my reservation. I then gave him my confirmation number. He again could not find the reservation. I told him the reason I made this reservation was to avoid this situation. He told me Enterprise was sold out and did not have a car for me.

After a few phone calls to 800-rent-a-car and the Enterprise help desk (who ironically were able to ?find? my reservation), the employee at the desk also ?found? it but told me since I had arrived too late, they did not hold the car.

Every other car rental company at the airport was sold out of one way rentals. Enterprise had stranded us at the airport. Budget rental was kind enough to find us a pickup truck (for the four of us) while we were in San Francisco.
Unfortunately my unpleasant experience with Enterprise did not end here.* While en route to our hotel, I called 800-rent-a-car to see if they had any one way rentals that I could pick up anytime in the next two days, as we?d be staying in San Francisco.* The person I spoke with informed me that it is Enterprises? policy to hold cars 24 hours past the reservation time, and told me they had cars available.* I made a reservation (code JDGK6) to pick up a car at 9 AM on the 6th.* I asked the employee for some sort of guarantee since I?d just been stranded.* He assured me the guarantee was my reservation number.**
*********** Not wanting to get stranded again, I called the Enterprise SFO airport location before driving there.** I gave the lady my reservation code.* She told me she had to speak with her branch manager.* When she returned, she told me they had no one way rentals, and stated she ?had no idea how I made that reservation.?* I told her I called the phone number.* She was empathetic; however, empathy was not going to get me to Los Angeles.* I told her I could only hope that she reads a copy of my experience somewhere on the internet.* ***********
*********** I was able to get a one way rental through AVIS, a company I will use for my rental car needs from now on.* My family and I rent cars a few times a year and due to our experience, we will not consider Enterprise anymore.**
Sincerely Unsatisfied,
Jake Mitchell
 

marlboro180

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 23, 2009
Messages
1,164
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

My wife and I travel a bit and I have to say that Avis has been great. She travels more than I and every time for the past couple years has had good experience with Avis, not so good with "E" . Even drop a car off for her!

Now for Midwest airlines... that's another deal.
 

CheapboatKev

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
5,813
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

I travel extensively as I am a Regional Sales Manager for my company and cover 11 States.
I typically rent a car 2 times a month, for 5 to 6 days at a time.
Usually I use Dollar or Thrifty (they are owned by the same company) and have enjoyed great rates and very reasonable prices in general. Car rentals are supply/demand, huge tradeshow in town and lots of people needing rentals? the cost can double or triple...Nothing going on? then I can get a car for 29.00 to 35.00 a day...

I just came back from New Orleans...I went to Dollar as usual..they ran my debit card and came back with "We cant rent to you because you have the funds but your credit score is declined"...This was at 11pm BTW..
I asked the person to explain this..She stated that about 3 months ago, everytime you use a debit card, they (Dollar) penalize you..WTH?

Explained how often I rent with them..and that they were going to loose a very good customer..She shrugged her shoulders and said "Sorry"..

Ended up getting back on the shuttle, back to the airport, boarding the Alamo shuttle..(Alamo & Enterprise are owned by the same company)
They told me they were OUT of cars....I was really starting my sales trip right!!
I walked out to have a smoke and clear my head..The Shuttle bus driver asked if I was taken care of & I explained what was going on..

He took me in the office, through the back and to the Manager's office.
He introduced me and told him what my story was..
The Manager explained he had 4 or 5 cars that were actually available..Took me outside and said to take my pick!!!!

Needless to say I fired off a complaint to Dollar....And another email of praise to Alamo....


p.s. When you do a "one way" rental..They charge you typically an extra 100.00 bucks...but the kicker is the car you usually get NEEDS to go back to that location, they charge YOU for doing THEM a favor!! lol
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

Just one more excuse to drive myself everywhere. Being treated like a potential terrorist by the airlines is bad enough. Tales of such non-service by rental companies just add to the need to be in control of my own transport and schedule.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,064
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

The only result will be a promised discount or possibly a free day or two of rentals when you get back to that location.

You will never receive satisfaction for the past experience...... only a piece of mind on how to deal with it in the future.

So..... it is my opinion that complaining to the company that rented your "something" will yield nothing......... but they still rented "something" from their fleet. You are frustrated and they still made their coins.
 

TilliamWe

Banned
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
6,579
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

Well, one way rentals seem to be a big problem for car rental companies. Because I had a worse experience with Budget Rent-A-Car at the Atlanta Airport in 1999. They are criminals and I would never do business with Budget again.

Enterprise is much better at renting cars for customers through insurance companies, while their vehicles are being fixed at a body shop. That's their bread and butter business, and it sounds like that they are not that good at the other segments. Although my Enterprise rental from the Denver Airport in 2003 went smooth as can be. But it was not a One Way, I returned it to the same location 3 days later.

Sorry you had trouble. My local Enterprise offices were always a joy to deal with, on insurance claims.
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

I find them all the same, pick your poison.

A couple of tips.

try to use American Express, they pick up the insurance which can be hefty.

Never accept their offer to forego filling the tank when you return vehicle, its far cheaper to fill it because you can never return it completly empty and the fuel left in the tank is theirs by default, they make a lot of money with that trick.
 

jay_merrill

Vice Admiral
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
5,653
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

The problem isn't one company or another - its all of them. To me, what has happened to each of you, is typical. As far as I am concerned, these circumstances are directly tied to a decline in business ethics throughout our country. In short, it seems like a great many businesses really don't care if you shop, rent, whatever with them.

To the highest degree possible, I try to spend my money where I am made to feel welcome and wanted. I also try to avoid businesses with attitude and I try to inform them why I won't do business with them. Obviously, you can't let your life become consumed by chewing out dopey companies and managers, but you can get the point across within reason.

BTW, I had a bad experience with Enterprise right after they hit the scene. They tried to tell me that I had driven a car several thousand miles on a three day rental in LA. I had done a drop box return, because of an early flight back to New York, so the actual mileage was not confirmed at that time. When I got my Amex bill, the charge from Enterprise was huge. It took days of phone calls to get them to back off and adjust the fee to a regular three day rental with allowed miles.

I've never rented a car from Enterprise since then.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,313
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

As far as I am concerned, these circumstances are directly tied to a decline in business ethics throughout our country. In short, it seems like a great many businesses really don't care if you shop, rent, whatever with them.

You can argue ethics but for the most part it?s a conscience business decision to give priority to their existing customer base.

Most if not all rental companies live and die by the business traveler. The business travel takes precedence over any off the street business.

In all my years of travel I have not once been denied a car when push came to shove. I?ve had them take cars out from peoples noses to make sure I was taken care of. The last time a rental company messed up one of my reservations I was upgraded to a premium class car at no additional charge and my gas was paid for the duration of my rental.

The situation the OP posted is unfortunate. I imagine a victim of circumstance more than anything. The fact that it was a one way rental only further complicated the situation.

To be honest, I'm a Hertz President?s Club Member, a National Emerald Club member and an Enterprise Plus Member. My views are slighly slanted. ;)
 

windsors03cobra

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
1,191
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

I'm with JB. I drive my car everywhere, and I love it. :D
I hate to make fun of CA some more as its such a beautiful place, just seems like its so full of fruits and nuts.
 

TilliamWe

Banned
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
6,579
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

Just one more excuse to drive myself everywhere. Being treated like a potential terrorist by the airlines is bad enough. Tales of such non-service by rental companies just add to the need to be in control of my own transport and schedule.

I too prefer to drive my own car everywhere. But sometimes flying is necessary. I just try to make sure I am flying to where I don't need a car.

As far as the terrorist thing. I may try going unshaven and wear a headdress of some sort next time. Think I'd move through faster? :)
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

I rent a lot and use almost 100% National . . . They are owned by Enterprise. A good friend of mine is a high level dude with Enterprise and when they bought National I told him "just don't pluck it up!" So far they haven't.

A couple of tricks that work for me:

This one a National rep on the phone actually taught me. If you call or make your reservation online and they are sold out, start over and ask for a week; if that doesn't work try 10 days. Magically they will have a car for you. When you turn in the car they only charge you for the days you used anyway, so non-issue and you get a car.

On the one way deal, this is even easier . . . just don't tell them ;) When you turn it in elsewhere you may not even be charged for the one-way deal, sometimes yes, but no different than if you had told them up front.
 
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
1,790
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

I also think enterprise sucks, When my car was totaled the insurance company gave me 3 days use of a rental. Enterprise made me return the car early and I didnt get my 3 days but only 2 1/2,,,,,,They have closed down here because I guess others have learned to avoid them too,Good!
 

TilliamWe

Banned
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
6,579
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

fairlane, if you car would have been done at the body shop, you would have had to return it by the close of business on the third day. That's the only way "they can make you turn it in early", is if your car was done by 5pm on the third day. And your insurance coverage is for the use of a vehicle while yours is being repaired. Not 24 hour days, just while it's in the shop, nothing more, nothing less.
Check stat laws, but in Illinois, if your car is totalled, you get NO rental car, once they make you an offer. NONE. So you got three (2.5 in your book) bonus days of a car to drive, that you may or may not have had a legal or contractual right to have. Try crying over a freebie?!
 

gonefishie

Commander
Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
2,624
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

I had the same thing happened to me. I made the reservation on line, got a confirmation #. I called the location I picked on line to arrange for a pick up time and they told me that they were sold out. I asked the guy how could that have happened. He told me that the reservation center will make any reservation without knowing the local office's inventory at all. I don't know if it's true or not but it does make sense. Luckily, there were several other Enterprise offices nearby. I got a hold of one that was willing to pick me up. They have a 5 miles pick up/drop off radius. I told them to pick me up @330, I was still waiting at 345. I called back and apparently they had forgot. The girl on the phone said someone will be there to pick me up shortly. 4pm, a hottie showed up in an upgraded car to pick me up. She was the one I spoke to on the phone. This hottie is a new grad, manager trainee, said for my trouble she gave me a free upgrade and her phone number.
 

lowkee

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
1,890
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

I used to have a rental car 7 months out of the year and always used Alamo. No, they weren't this great company, but they were reliable enough and by using them exclusively you begin to get to know the rental agents as well as the company loopholes.

Loophole #1, if the desk has no cars for you, call the 800 # and reserve one. The 800 # always has a reserve of cars at each location.. cars the desk is not allowed to rent! I have stood at the desk reserving a car via the 800 # MANY times.

Loophole #2, be nice to the agent. Seriously. I have rented so many convertibles and sports cars for the economy rate I wouldn't be able to count it. The rental system does not care what car you leave with, so long as you rented it. The desk person makes that decision, no manager approval needed. The obvious benefits of being nice to an agent are getting remembered. I used to fly into multiple airports on a regular basis and 30 people in line at the counter didn't matter to me.. I never had to wait, and I always had a convertible or sports car waiting. My boss used to get mad because I would always have a killer car, but when he saw my expenses I was spending the least on a rental.

Let's face it, business is business. it is a company's job to take our money for the least amount of service.. it is ours to take their service for the least amount of money.

PS: Post 9/11 flying sucks and there is no way around it. Just don't fly if you can avoid it. And may Delta's Song Airlines rest in piece.. the best airline I have ever flown. A tragic loss to the airline industry IMO. If you never flew them, you missed what airlines are like in our dreams.
 

jay_merrill

Vice Admiral
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
5,653
Re: Enterprise car rental.... My RANT

You can argue ethics but for the most part it?s a conscience business decision to give priority to their existing customer base.

Perhaps you should look at the Walmart example. Most of the major grocery chains require a "customer card" in order to get "good" prices. Walmart gives you a good grocery prices just for walking in the door. The same is true of the other products that they sell. You don't have to prove that you are a good customer by getting a "card" - all you have to do is show up.

As for customer service, I once bought a lawn mower at Wally World, discovered that it was missing a major part, and took it back. When I got there, I discovered that I had forgotten my wallet, because I had changed into some work clothes. Because of this, I had no ID and didn't have the receipt. Any other store would have made me come back, but Wally World didn't. The customer service rep called the dept. manager to the front of the store. As it turned out, he was the one who had sold me the product and he remembered me. He simply grabbed a cart, put my return in it and came right back with another lawn mower. The entire process took about ten minutes.

Guess where I have been shopping almost exclusively, ever since. In fact, I buy so much stuff there that my standard joke is, "if you had mortuary services, I'd die in aisle 5."

BTW, when I rented at Enterprise, I was on a business trip and worked for a major airline, so I was in the travel business. I also rented the car on an Amex Gold Card - at a time when not many people had them and they actually meant something, in terms of your buying power. Enterprise could have cared less - they were busy trying to beat me into submission in regard tho paying for mileage, that I could not have driven in three days if I tried.

So, here are two examples based upon customer experience. One company has been getting five figures worth of my money, every year for many years, and the other made money off of me once. The first store is the largest retailer in the world. Which one do you think won?
 
Top