I originally rented with Avis because Enterprise charges .27/mile for one way transfers, airport to airport, and after discovering this fact once driving from BOS to BTV, I found that Avis did not charge these fees. So, in my mind, I thought this could be my new go-to rental car agency. I rented a vehicle from BTV when I returned to the States and began my drive back to BOS the next morning.
Well, as I'm excited about my lovely rate of $66 and the really nice agent, Luke, that helped me in BTV, how he explained the fees to me, was patient when I asked all of my questions (as I did not want to get caught with some crazy mileage charges upon my return to BOS), and told me what to look out for regarding the fine print in any rental agreement, I was excited that one of my good friends suggested this company!
After returning from a much needed and enjoyable vacation, anyone that works a 9-5 can possibly relate to the amount of work that would be awaiting you upon your arrival back in the office. With that being said, it was a hectic day. I figured that I could fill up the gas tank on my way to the airport, as most rental car agencies/centers near airports have a gas station in close proximity in order for customers to adhere to the 5 mile rule. Well, leave it to Boston to not have a gas station near their new car rental center.
I arrive to return the car, down heartened because I know that I am going to get ripped to shreds for not filling up the gas tank, but it was half full, so I figured it couldn't be that bad. So, I pull up, the agent asks me if I filled up the car, I told him 'no' and asked how much would it cost me, because I'm thinking if it's too astronomical, I'll go drive it somewhere, fill it up, and bring it back. I brought it back around 530pm and could have the vehicle until 11pm with no extra charges, so why not go fill it up and bring it back later??
So, I explain this to him, and he says that he does not know how much it will cost until he scans in the car, but in order for me to do cost benefit analysis, I would need to know up front. So, then he scans the car - I'm thinking to tell me what the damage would be IF I decided to drop it off here and now - and he hands me a receipt. I see $108 for fuel service so I explained again that I will GLADLY take the vehicle back, fill it up, and bring it back. THEN he says he cannot do that, as he has already scanned in the car.
I explained to him that it would definitely benefit Avis in having a gas filled car and would benefit me in not having to pay $108 for some crazy fuel service. That is a win-win! And do you know that he just looked at me and shrugged? Well, I guess that's a win for Avis and a lose for me.
There should definitely be some way to calculate the mileage and be able to give an estimate as to how much the fuel service charge would be. With all of the technology that we have here, how could this not be?? When I've asked other rental car agencies before even renting the car, they are able to tell me how many miles per gallon the car gets and an average of what I would be looking at with the fuel service charge. And this is before I even take the car off the lot! So, you're telling me there was NO WAY to give me an estimate BEFORE scanning in he vehicle???
So, I called customer service. As I explained the stressful situation to the customer service representative, Angela, this evening, she let me explain, but I could tell that she was getting frustrated with me and said that I should have just filled up the car before coming to the airport - that's what she would have done.
Customer Service 101 - The customer is always right. I have worked in customer service for years, and I would never tell them what i would have done, or cut them off while they are explaining their stressful situation to me. I am there to win business for the company and keep the customer happy. And even if I cannot keep them happy or give them whatever it is they are asking for at that very moment, I would explain why I cannot and suggest some other options, when possible.
I asked to speak to a manager.....Angela told me that there are none available at the moment and that I would receive a call back within 24-48 hours. Don't bother. My excitement for Avis is now diminished. Time to look for a new rental car agency. This customer service needs some major improvement.
I would have came out better going with Enterprise and their .27 cent/mile fee. read more