WHEN AVIS GIVES A CUSTOMER A DAMAGED CAR, THE CUSTOMER WILL PAY
Last month I rented a car from this Avis location to drive to New Mexico to visit my family. I had no issues going to New Mexico, but coming back from the Avis location in Roswell was more than a nightmare! The car Roswell Avis gave me was damaged so bad under the bumper, it was obvious a thorough inspection was not done before renting out the car to me. Four hours into my trip I all of a sudden hear a loud POP and start seeing rubber fly off from the car then felt a weird bumping unsteady feeling in the car. So I initially thought it was a flat tire -- called Avis for someone to come out and look. The lady I spoke with was so rude to me and said she couldn't send someone out unless I knew what was wrong and basically hangs up on me. So I call back and demand them to send someone else to help me because I didn't feel safe driving the car they rented out to me. Finally, after waiting for 2 hours a guy comes out and realizes its not my tire but the front bumper. It was SO damaged that they had to tow the car to the nearest Avis location (which was 1 hour from the direction I had already came). The guy Avis originally sent out to help me didn't come with a tow truck (for whatever reason) So I had to call Avis AGAIN -- and guess what explain EVERYTHING again because nobody documents anything there. By the time the tow truck driver gets out there its been another 2 hours. At this point I'm so far behind on my trip that I know I'm not going to be able to return my car on time.
Once I finally get to the Avis in Abilene to switch cars, the representative had no idea whats going on, so I had to explain everything thats happened (you'd think in 2016 they'd have their system updated so that their customers don't have to repeat themselves 100 times to different representatives). So she ends up extending my rental car time that way I will be able to return the car the next day and not be charged because of everything I just went through. Well it would be nice if it happened that way, but thats not how it all went down.
Here's what actually happened:
-I'm charged a late fee for turning in the car a day late -- even though I tried to fight this with the representative at this location he had NO idea what was going on. I asked to speak to a manager and supposedly he was the manager, but wouldn't do anything to waive the fee.
- I'm charged for not putting fuel in the tank of the damaged car (Kudos to anyone who would be able to fuel up a car on a tow truck)
- Because the 'manager,' at the Sear Grand Avis auto center wasn't able (or didn't want) to help me, I had to wait on the phone for hours with the Avis help line -- Only to be hung up on twice.
- Once I finally got in touch with a higher up in the company, the lady made me feel so comfortable and I thought I was finally getting the problem taken care of. She told me I would be refunded the money for the late fee and for the gas fee. Wouldn't that be nice if that was the case? It would be but I was only refunded a whopping $35.00. I finally gave in and decided to let it go at that point because i just wanted to put this all in the past and leave it behind me, UNTIL today....
- Avis has charged me $360.78 for what?!? I have no idea and neither does any one on the financial helpline side. I had to send in my bank statement for them to see that... yes they actually did charge me. Now it's a waiting game to see if Avis will actually step up and refund my money.
My simple trip that should have only costed me $148.47 has actually costed me $690.92
I guess when Avis gives their customers a damaged car, they expect the customer to pay for their mistake.
If you don't want this to be you, stay far far away from Avis, because trust me, if they mess up its going to be your problem! read more