A month before my family's trip to Los Angeles, we knew we would need a month-long car rental. Yes, we tried to save a bit of money going through this "company", however, had I known what we would encounter, I would gladly pay hundreds of dollars more to go with a typical car rental place that offers new, safe cars and believes in customer service.
When Radu's employee dropped off what was supposed to be an Audi 6 that looked shiny and new in his online pictures, what was parked on the curb was a tired, old, worn paint job of a car from years and years ago with interior stains and almost 200,000 miles on it. If I was single or even married without a kid, fine, I would be willing to drive it to save a couple hundred bucks despite the total false advertising of his cars. We were overwhelmed and exhausted and decided to just deal with this horrible car. It was getting late. We had so much to accomplish with my toddler at this point and were so overwhelmed by getting settled in and my husband's work commitments that we did not attempt to install the car seat until we put our son to sleep. As a parent, I'm sure you understand this.
However, in the month prior to this trip, we made it very clear via email and via phone that we needed a convertible car seat for my toddler. We even approved of the brand he would be renting to us. However, this worn car seat from years and years ago was not compatible with the car once we had a moment from our travels to attempt the installation of it. We realized we would be unable to use the car or install the car seat. It did not meet safety standards nor did it have a LATCH system. As a parent, Radu is not a parent, so he does not understand this concern, he is renting out car seats that would not meet safety standards for small children.
He got into a heated debate with my husband late at night while picking up his "Audi" that we had no choice but to return. This was due to his utter lack of respect for his providing an unsafe situation for our son. The car seat swung from side to side in the back of the car and would cause my son to be gravely injured and/or the unthinkable should we have gotten in a car accident.
Out of our kindness, we offered him to keep $30 out of the $100 reservation fee for his gas money from dropping off and then having to pick up this unacceptable car and car seat. Yes, he did offer to go install a LATCH system in the car, but, I'm sorry, if you are selling ice cream, you don't say, I will go to a cone factory at 1OPM and get you a cone. It's common sense, provide a quality, safe product. After travelling all day with a toddler, I was not about to wait any later. I had lost my trust in him being able to correct this situation. It should have been right upon delivery.
Despite signing various papers that we would agree to our keeping $70, he is now still bothering us about it and disputing this signed agreement for a measly $70. I am starting to think he makes his money off of keeping reservation fees since I can't imagine anyone wanting to step foot in his rental cars unless it is out of sheer desperation or financial necessity.
We have since gone with a more professional, standard car company. For a couple hundred dollars more, we now have a new, safe car seat that can be installed correctly with a new Nissan. We even received an upgrade without asking. That is customer service, my friends. We are still both shocked and appalled a the lack of customer service, concern for my child's safety and overall empathy.
I tried to avoid writing this negative review and told him I would if he continued to harass us and not refund our $70. It is not about the money at this point, it's the principle of the situation. Thanks for listening, if you have kids that need car seats, RUN! read more
