We needed a rental while our car was being repaired due to an accident back in January of 2013. My first impression of Enterprise RAC in Tenafly wasn't a good one few years ago but due to convenience, I thought I give it a try again. It wasn't a good move the second time as well. First, I wanted to try the Hyundai Elentra so the agent named Jason brought us the white Hyundai Elantra. During inspection, I pointed out to the noticeable longitudinal dent on the front passenger side door. He said no worried as the dent was less than 6" and that he knows about it therefore not marking it on the inspection sheet (mistakes #1).
When we took it home, we realized that the interior was filthy (stains all over seats) and there was no windshield washer fluid; few days later, we've got over foot of snow! I realized that there was no fluid when I drove the next day. Interior also wreaked with sweat smell. It also had close to 40K miles on this car; very high in today's rental standard. Enterprise should be renamed Rent-A-Wreck.
Twenty-one days later, the ordeal started. I returned the car with more fuel than how I got it (empty) and paid for fuel in advance. Jason wasn't there but there was a guy named Kevin Cowan was there (claimed that he' is the branch manager). I told him about the dent and that Jason had mentioned to me prior to taking the car and he told me that since it was less than 6" it was okay (being honest -- mistake #2). He immediately went inside and grabbed a spray and a rag and started to clean the spot and told me that I was responsible for the damage! He went on to say that if I noticed it, why didn't I indicate it on the inspection sheet? We went back and forth in a shouting match with my wife standing next to me. He then refused to call Jason as he was off that day (not one phone call). Kevin kept insisting that he needed to "investigate" this matter and that I'd be most likely responsible for the damage (I felt horrified by his presumptions and that made me feel like I had done something wrong!). I then mentioned to Kevin that I had worked as an assistant manager at a NYC rental car agency back in the 90's and it was highly unusual for an agent to tell the customer that any damage to the vehicle prior to rental was seldom "okay" -- I don't think he cared. I even mentioned that we hardly drove the car and sat in our driveway most of the time and he said to me "well, you clocked over 400 miles on this car." -- 400 miles? in 21 days? So 400 miles divided by 21 is 19 miles per day average? That's a lot of miles?
I then got a hold of his manager and that Kevin was one of his "best guy" -- and that an investigation was needed. I met with Jason the following day and told him why he'd got me into this mess as he insisted that the dent was okay during inspection therefore not marking it on the sheet. Kevin then came back and told me that Jason said he never told me what I had claimed that he'd said -- even though my wife was standing right beside me when he told me that he'd take care of the dent (even thought he's making it sound like we're still at fault??). KevinHe then went onto say that he'd pay for the damage and it will cost him $300-$400 in repair?? You can get Dent Wizard to repair without painting for about $150 (not that it matters at this point). But these guys are just insane, this is why, I would never, ever rent another vehicle from Enterprise in the future. Save yourself the headache and go with a reputable nationwide chain like Avis or Hertz. read more