I am writing this review with frustration but I will keep it professional and stick to the facts. I want to highlight that this situation was not how a business should be operated and there seems to be a problem with local leadership for allowing it to happen. As a preferred Avis member, I had booked a full-size Dodge Durango for 4 days for a cross-state trade show. I prepaid the entire amount through the Avis mobile app and selected a 5 PM pickup time at the nearby Avis location in Stafford, VA. However, when I arrived at the location at 4:58 PM, the doors were locked and the lights were off. This was surprising as the location was supposed to be open until 5 PM. Upon checking my Avis app, I found that I already had an active rental for a white full-size Dodge Durango. Interestingly, the same vehicle was parked in the location's parking lot with the same license plate as on my app, and an individual was driving it. As I approached the vehicle, it pulled away and drove out of the shopping plaza. This situation made me stressed as the vehicle was booked under my name, and I needed it for my trade show.
I called Avis and booked another car at the DCA airport, but they had no record of any vehicle for me when I arrived. I had to make another booking for another SUV, but I had to settle for a smaller vehicle which did not fit all my supplies for the trip. I spent hours on the phone trying to rectify the issue and confirm that the rental in Stafford was not legitimate, and I required a refund. Finally, I got a refund, but the receipt for the Dodge Durango showed additional miles and a fuel service fee.
When I returned the rented vehicle to the Avis location, I spoke to the manager, and unfortunately, our exchange did not go well. I apologize for my attitude, but the manager's response was not helpful, and I felt like he did not care about the situation.
In conclusion, I will still use Avis's services, but I will not utilize the Stafford location again and do not recommend their services or staff under any circumstances. If a location is closing at a specific time, they need to implement an operational protocol to avoid inconveniencing customers. Furthermore, employees cannot drive vehicles that are under customer bookings as it is unacceptable and poses a safety risk. read more