Fuel top up con

[Deleted member 29185]

Let's keep away from Hertz then. I've just changed my future bookings to Europcar. Best of a rather bad bunch I think.

My personal experiences are that you'll be disappointed. I genuinely think Avis is the best of a bad bunch, but still a lesser player in the bad bunch brigade. Europcar is close to the bottom (Red Spot disease takes that honour IMHO).

None of them deserve custom, which is why I'm going the new player, Uber. They too may prove to be problematic, but at such time, I'll make further decisions ... so far, I'm more than happy (however my recent rentals are low km, short duration which make them ideal for Uber).

It'll all change and the until Uber or taxi's or a new rental market player causes change, then we have to be patient and NOT give money where it's not deserved. It's up to us, as market forces are the only way to change the cough (and dare I say, criminal) behaviour of these corporations! Just don't use them unless you're desperate. A few short years ago, Europcar were falling all over themselves to award loyal renters with unbelievable upgrades ... predominantly to offset the media campaign against them for criminal behaviour (the false damage rort) ... it didn't take them long to reverse those signs of goodwill and start shafting the clients, yet again! What's that old saying about a Leopard never changing its spots??

 

[TonyHancock]

My personal experiences are that you'll be disappointed. I genuinely think Avis is the best of a bad bunch, but still a lesser player in the bad bunch brigade. Europcar is close to the bottom (Red Spot disease takes that honour IMHO).

After 20 years of rental all around the world that is pretty much where I am.

 

[Prof Henry]

My current issue is with AVIS. In conjunction with my QF flight bookings, I rented a car for 3 days from SYD to be returned to Newcastle (NTL) airport. The quoted price seemed good, the standard fees seemed to be included (Vehicle Rego Charge; One-way Charge; Concession Recovery Fee etc), and the pickup and return were courteous and very smooth. But, the charge on my credit card was 50% above the Estimated Total. Called AVIS; they explained patiently that I had accepted the additional insurances and that had raised the DAILY fee and that all the other miscellaneous charges – such as Vehicle Registration Fee, and Premium Location were calculated as a % of the higher daily charge. I'd have thought that both of those were fixed amounts, but with AVIS they are a % of the Total Daily cost. I now realise that the additional insurance charges (Collision Damage Waiver, Excess ...) must be in my AVIS Preferred profile – which, of course, I will now change in case I ever rent from AVIS again.
When I suggested that:
(1) 50% premium on the quoted amount seemed to be something I should have had some warning of; and
(2) the fact that these "other" charges were all a % of the daily fee didn't appear on any of the documents I saw during the booking process;
(3) and that all I had received at the pickup was the Vehicle Condition Report;
(4) that Premium Location Charge should have been included in the original because I had specified that I was picking and returning to airports; I was told that I had ticked a box (called a PLS??).
I have asked for documentation of this to be provided but I'm not sure when I will receive this, or what it will indicate.
I had no issue with petrol either on pickup or return, but they showed no interest in checking the car. Nevertheless, I will keep an eye on credit card statements.
As a result of earlier threads on Rental Cars, I do make a habit of taking a short video as I walk around the vehicle; after reading this thread, I will now also document fuel levels as well. {sigh; why do we have to do this...}

UPDATE: AVIS's promise to supply documentation has not been followed up a week later. Another dissatisfied customer. Do they care?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Picked up a Hertz car at Adelaide airport last week. I noticed that the fuel guage was only 6/8. I went to the office and they told me that I must be wrong as that could never happen. They came to the car to check. Conceeded they were wrong. No apology offered. Given a different car.

I wonder how many people fail to check the fuel when picking up a car?

 

[kpc]

When I hire a car, apart from taking photos of any preexisting damage (and note it on the car rental sheet), I take a photo of the speedometer reading and fuel gauge at the beginning and the end of the car hire.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I wonder how many people fail to check the fuel when picking up a car?

Years ago, I hired an Avis vehicle from PPP. Jumped in it and noticed the fuel was only on 3/4 of a tank. The Avis staff had already left the airport (I must have been the only renter that day) so I rang the Airlie Beach Office. The guy there admitted the car had just been driven, by the Avis staff, from the Airlie Beach office to PPP, specifically for my rental and the delivery staffer was supposed to put fuel in at PPP before giving it me. He obviously couldn't be bothered. They did reduce the rental and then further took off approx. what 1/4 of a tank would cost, so it was worth the phone call and presumably, they would have counselled that staffer to ensure it didn't happen again ... .

 

[Happy Dude]

Years ago, I hired an Avis vehicle from PPP. Jumped in it and noticed the fuel was only on 3/4 of a tank. The Avis staff had already left the airport (I must have been the only renter that day) so I rang the Airlie Beach Office. The guy there admitted the car had just been driven, by the Avis staff, from the Airlie Beach office to PPP, specifically for my rental and the delivery staffer was supposed to put fuel in at PPP before giving it me. He obviously couldn't be bothered. They did reduce the rental and then further took off approx. what 1/4 of a tank would cost, so it was worth the phone call and presumably, they would have counselled that staffer to ensure it didn't happen again ... .

That exact thing happened to me at PPP a few years ago too. They told me to take a photo of the fuel gauge and bring it back with with the same amount in in the tank. They also reduced the rental by the cost of a 1/4 tank of fuel.

 

[G00r]

I am a frequent (Pres Circle) renter with Hertz.
I've never really had a major issue with them.
I never look at the car before I go, I rarely check the agreement before I pick up either as I'm not required to sign it, I usually just tell them to save the paper and not print it.

Returning I just dump it, leave the keys in it (at manned locations) and run.

At 20-30 rentals per annum (Gex, PER, MEL and melb city) I'm happy to say that there are very few billing issues (when checking the emailed receipts).
Also Hertz seemed to have adopted a fleet of Skodas to replace their Camrys, one of which I have right now.. I'm loving these cars!
Much more responsive (diesel) when you ask it to and the adaptive cruise control works all the way down to 8 km/h compared to an Audi (or BMW) SUV I had that kicks out at 30 km/h, meaning it's good for using in stop-start traffic

 

[Dr Ralph]

I've never really had a major issue with them.
I never look at the car before I go, I rarely check the agreement before I pick up either

I suspect you've had more issues than you realise.

I've had 6 rentals with Hertz in Australia and the US this year. There was a problem with each of them including fuel, incorrectly recorded kms, dirty vehicle, incorrect credit card charged and pre-existing damage.

But hey, all I want was what was promised and what I've paid for.

 

[G00r]

I suspect you've had more issues than you realise.

I had a flick through my past 19 rental receipts for this year, there was one over-billing issue (sort of).
Rented from MEL at 0600 and returned to GEX when they opened the next day at 0800, got charged the extra 2 hrs (despite asking Geelong agent (whom I knew well) if she could knock the extra 2 hours off seeing as you weren't open at 0600 and she agreed).
So, I got ripped off from 'mates rates' - not sure if that counts.

 

[BAM1748]

Picked up a Hertz car at Adelaide airport last week. I noticed that the fuel guage was only 6/8. I went to the office and they told me that I must be wrong as that could never happen. They came to the car to check. Conceeded they were wrong. No apology offered. Given a different car.

I wonder how many people fail to check the fuel when picking up a car?

Wonder if they charged the previous customer to fill it up !

Many of my rental car problems are in Adelaide, mostly Avis.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

the adaptive cruise control works all the way down to 8 km/h compared to an Audi (or BMW) SUV I had that kicks out at 30 km/h, meaning it's good for using in stop-start traffic

That really surprised me. I can't say I'd ever be comfortable using cruise control in stop-start traffic.

 

[mannej]

That really surprised me. I can't say I'd ever be comfortable using cruise control in stop-start traffic.

Technology like Eyesight can take a while to get used to (i.e build confidence), but I haven't had any issues with stop start traffic. You are able to set the comfortable stopping distance between your car and the vehicle in front.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Technology like Eyesight can take a while to get used to (i.e build confidence), but I haven't had any issues with stop start traffic. You are able to set the comfortable stopping distance between your car and the vehicle in front.

Collected a new car which has this feature earlier this week. It does take some getting used to.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I keep thinking that Tesla driver got a bit too used to it!

I love cruise control for highway, but I think it may take me some time to trust it in traffic.

 

[Cossie]

Not really a fuel top up con, but I'll put this here as it may be of some interest.
Booked a car through Qantas, pick up and drop off at Manchester, Avis/Budget. Was meant to be a small manual, not the cheapest as they can be too small, Fiesta size allegedly. Price was meant to be 108 pound.
Got to the office, car available was a 'very nice' Audi A5, auto with GPS, 388 pound for the same period. Jet lagged , didn't think too much about it until I got to the car.
OK, so I'm not familiar with Audis, but I couldn't even work out how set my destination into the GPS, nor turn off the radio. So I told the office in the yard I didn't want it, redid paper work, got a Citroen, manual and got original quote.

Do the office staff get a commission on up selling? Wouldn't surprise me, to be honest.

 

[G00r]

Do the office staff get a commission on up selling? Wouldn't surprise me, to be honest.

Depends on the location (and the brand). If its a franchise, then up to 50%
But franchise or corporate, of course, there'd be an incentive to upsell

 

[Prof Henry]

My current issue is with AVIS. In conjunction with my QF flight bookings, I rented a car for 3 days from SYD to be returned to Newcastle (NTL) airport. The quoted price seemed good, the standard fees seemed to be included (Vehicle Rego Charge; One-way Charge; Concession Recovery Fee etc), and the pickup and return were courteous and very smooth. But, the charge on my credit card was 50% above the Estimated Total. Called AVIS; they explained patiently that I had accepted the additional insurances and that had raised the DAILY fee and that all the other miscellaneous charges – such as Vehicle Registration Fee, and Premium Location were calculated as a % of the higher daily charge. I'd have thought that both of those were fixed amounts, but with AVIS they are a % of the Total Daily cost. I now realise that the additional insurance charges (Collision Damage Waiver, Excess ...) must be in my AVIS Preferred profile – which, of course, I will now change in case I ever rent from AVIS again.
When I suggested that:
(1) 50% premium on the quoted amount seemed to be something I should have had some warning of; and
(2) the fact that these "other" charges were all a % of the daily fee didn't appear on any of the documents I saw during the booking process;
(3) and that all I had received at the pickup was the Vehicle Condition Report;
(4) that Premium Location Charge should have been included in the original because I had specified that I was picking and returning to airports; I was told that I had ticked a box (called a PLS??).
I have asked for documentation of this to be provided but I'm not sure when I will receive this, or what it will indicate.
I had no issue with petrol either on pickup or return, but they showed no interest in checking the car. Nevertheless, I will keep an eye on credit card statements.
As a result of earlier threads on Rental Cars, I do make a habit of taking a short video as I walk around the vehicle; after reading this thread, I will now also document fuel levels as well. {sigh; why do we have to do this...}

10 weeks later, I'm still waiting for AVIS to send the promised documentation.
The cost of their rip-off and poor service response is that they have lost a customer who had done most of their car-rental business with AVIS for >25 years. I no longer Prefer AVIS.

 

[juddles]

At the end of the day I believe that it is individual staff and offices, not brand, that is what causes these "scams".

As an aside, a novel but extremely short thread could be "Times I was undercharged by my car rental company"

 

[Virgin Bart]

At the end of the day I believe that it is individual staff and offices, not brand, that is what causes these "scams".

As an aside, a novel but extremely short thread could be "Times I was undercharged by my car rental company"

I would actually have a very very rare entry!