Car Hire - to be annoyed or not?
Discussion
I'm a gold customer of a car hire company, which has a yellow logo, with black lettering.
I reserved a car recently, and went to some length to ensure that it was an intermediate 4wd. This was because I had been advised that access to a property that I was visiting was by a long steep gravel drive that was unsuitable for 2wd cars.
When arriving at Dublin I was given the keys to a Pug 208. Realising this I returned, and they told me that they don't have an intermediate 4wd category. I eventually came away with a Passat, and had to walk. Direct consequences were 1/2 an hour at the airport, rather than the 2 minutes I would normally have, and an extra 30 minutes walk each way while I walked from the road to the property up a bloody mountain. Makes an extra 90 minutes on an already long day.
I'm still pretty pissed off, but am aware that this maybe a first world problem. So before I go ballistic, should I bother>
I reserved a car recently, and went to some length to ensure that it was an intermediate 4wd. This was because I had been advised that access to a property that I was visiting was by a long steep gravel drive that was unsuitable for 2wd cars.
When arriving at Dublin I was given the keys to a Pug 208. Realising this I returned, and they told me that they don't have an intermediate 4wd category. I eventually came away with a Passat, and had to walk. Direct consequences were 1/2 an hour at the airport, rather than the 2 minutes I would normally have, and an extra 30 minutes walk each way while I walked from the road to the property up a bloody mountain. Makes an extra 90 minutes on an already long day.
I'm still pretty pissed off, but am aware that this maybe a first world problem. So before I go ballistic, should I bother>
Zoon said:
Is the gold customer status even relevant to the issue?
As a standard customer you'd expect to get what you asked and paid for.
I'd raise the issue and get a refund or similar due to the inconvenience caused.
It is in as much I don't get the cheapest prices, but I do get to pick up the car in about 2 minutes, and avoid the bus to the depot at Dublin...As a standard customer you'd expect to get what you asked and paid for.
I'd raise the issue and get a refund or similar due to the inconvenience caused.
rcspeirs said:
Last week I went to collect my 'Focus or equivalent'. I'm also Gold customer so in theory an automatic upgrade. And what was waiting for me? A Nissan Juke. Oh how I didn't laugh. Managed to get it changed to a Mazda6. Dull, but remarkably economical for its size.
Am I missing something? I'd have said a Juke was a Focus equivalent.I recently rented a "C" sized car (Focus-class) from a company with precisely the same colour scheme, and got one of these at the "C" rate:
It's a Volvo XC60 D5 AWD SE Lux (215bhp, auto 4x4). It had 8 miles on the odometer when I picked it up, which is probably as much as it took to get it from the production line to the ferry, then from the ferry onto the car transporter and into the car park where I picked it up.
Lovely old bus. Auto-radar cruise control is very weird.
C
It's a Volvo XC60 D5 AWD SE Lux (215bhp, auto 4x4). It had 8 miles on the odometer when I picked it up, which is probably as much as it took to get it from the production line to the ferry, then from the ferry onto the car transporter and into the car park where I picked it up.
Lovely old bus. Auto-radar cruise control is very weird.
C
surveyor said:
It is in as much I don't get the cheapest prices, but I do get to pick up the car in about 2 minutes, and avoid the bus to the depot at Dublin...
And that is all "gold status" entitles you to, it ain't exactly an exclusive club, you only need to fill in a form online, it's just a means of saving time.It was not guaranteed as far as I know, but due to the rigours of the Hertz booking system I usually save at least 1/2 by booking over the phone rather than on-line with them. This is due to them knowing which CPD scheme to use.... I could have coped with any equivalent 4wd, but remain pissed off at a 2wd non-equivalent.
I've always been disappointed with the Irish hire cars - they seem to hold them longer, and have far more base models than I see in the UK or USA.
I've always been disappointed with the Irish hire cars - they seem to hold them longer, and have far more base models than I see in the UK or USA.
As a regular car renter in Ireland I am no longer surprised at how crap the cars can be ... Damaged ... Ancient ... Bald tyres etc .. Very different market from uk
Best one was sister in law flying in from New York and who had booked an automatic large car ... Got an 8 yr old 160k mile Nissan micra as it was all they had ... And she was still charged for what she had ordered .. She did get a goodwill refund after complaining .. But boy did we laugh when she turned up for the Xmas hols in that micra
Apparantly they keep the auto cars until they die as there's no secondhand market for them and only the yanks request them
Best one was sister in law flying in from New York and who had booked an automatic large car ... Got an 8 yr old 160k mile Nissan micra as it was all they had ... And she was still charged for what she had ordered .. She did get a goodwill refund after complaining .. But boy did we laugh when she turned up for the Xmas hols in that micra
Apparantly they keep the auto cars until they die as there's no secondhand market for them and only the yanks request them
Edited by Earthdweller on Thursday 27th March 20:32
Impasse said:
It's a hire car. Surely you at least attempt to make it up the track? 
Exactly, when I used to have to use them for survey work I didn't find anywhere you couldn't get a hire car. Might have been a tad more conservative with the driving if I was the one paying the hire charges though.Impasse said:
It's a hire car. Surely you at least attempt to make it up the track?
This!My regular car hire firm (?!) supplies cars in all price bands that are wholly capable on all surfaces, road, track or prairie.
The cure for any real or perceived damage is a nice car wash a day or two before return. Job done. This has worked for about 30 years in over a dozen countries.
I rent cars from the same rental co in Dublin a couple of times a month and they are very good.
If you fly into T2 at Dublin you can usallŷ go down stairs to the car park and collect your car and also drop it off in the same car park.
If you fly in to T1 it is usallŷ a bus to the compound around the corner, there is no need to walk as there is a mini bus every 5 mins and the drivers Are good Craic too.
Never had a bad car from them what ever class of car i have rented from a Ford KA to a XC90.
I usallŷ find that if you have a bit on banter with the guys in T2 they sort you out better car than the one you booked.
If you fly into T2 at Dublin you can usallŷ go down stairs to the car park and collect your car and also drop it off in the same car park.
If you fly in to T1 it is usallŷ a bus to the compound around the corner, there is no need to walk as there is a mini bus every 5 mins and the drivers Are good Craic too.
Never had a bad car from them what ever class of car i have rented from a Ford KA to a XC90.
I usallŷ find that if you have a bit on banter with the guys in T2 they sort you out better car than the one you booked.
surveyor said:
I'm a gold customer of a car hire company, which has a yellow logo, with black lettering.
I reserved a car recently, and went to some length to ensure that it was an intermediate 4wd. This was because I had been advised that access to a property that I was visiting was by a long steep gravel drive that was unsuitable for 2wd cars.
When arriving at Dublin I was given the keys to a Pug 208. Realising this I returned, and they told me that they don't have an intermediate 4wd category. I eventually came away with a Passat, and had to walk. Direct consequences were 1/2 an hour at the airport, rather than the 2 minutes I would normally have, and an extra 30 minutes walk each way while I walked from the road to the property up a bloody mountain. Makes an extra 90 minutes on an already long day.
I'm still pretty pissed off, but am aware that this maybe a first world problem. So before I go ballistic, should I bother>
Go ballistic, no. Negotiate skilfully to get financial compensation, yes.I reserved a car recently, and went to some length to ensure that it was an intermediate 4wd. This was because I had been advised that access to a property that I was visiting was by a long steep gravel drive that was unsuitable for 2wd cars.
When arriving at Dublin I was given the keys to a Pug 208. Realising this I returned, and they told me that they don't have an intermediate 4wd category. I eventually came away with a Passat, and had to walk. Direct consequences were 1/2 an hour at the airport, rather than the 2 minutes I would normally have, and an extra 30 minutes walk each way while I walked from the road to the property up a bloody mountain. Makes an extra 90 minutes on an already long day.
I'm still pretty pissed off, but am aware that this maybe a first world problem. So before I go ballistic, should I bother>
SebastienClement said:
rcspeirs said:
Last week I went to collect my 'Focus or equivalent'. I'm also Gold customer so in theory an automatic upgrade. And what was waiting for me? A Nissan Juke. Oh how I didn't laugh. Managed to get it changed to a Mazda6. Dull, but remarkably economical for its size.
Am I missing something? I'd have said a Juke was a Focus equivalent.NPI said:
SebastienClement said:
rcspeirs said:
Last week I went to collect my 'Focus or equivalent'. I'm also Gold customer so in theory an automatic upgrade. And what was waiting for me? A Nissan Juke. Oh how I didn't laugh. Managed to get it changed to a Mazda6. Dull, but remarkably economical for its size.
Am I missing something? I'd have said a Juke was a Focus equivalent.The must be on a budget.......
First world problem and their T&C's clearly state "subject to availability...." at pretty much every opportunity. However, experience tells me that if you call them up and explain your displeasure, you'll get somewhere. Either gun for a refund or a voucher for your next rental.
I've been President's Circle with Hertz for about 3 years and they treat me very well. Upgraded to a Jeep Grand Cherokee last week (fantastic for wafting about it, £46k list and all for £37/day!), however my best was this...
I've been President's Circle with Hertz for about 3 years and they treat me very well. Upgraded to a Jeep Grand Cherokee last week (fantastic for wafting about it, £46k list and all for £37/day!), however my best was this...
Meltham Terrier said:
I rent cars from the same rental co in Dublin a couple of times a month and they are very good.
If you fly into T2 at Dublin you can usallŷ go down stairs to the car park and collect your car and also drop it off in the same car park.
If you fly in to T1 it is usallŷ a bus to the compound around the corner, there is no need to walk as there is a mini bus every 5 mins and the drivers Are good Craic too.
Never had a bad car from them what ever class of car i have rented from a Ford KA to a XC90.
I usallŷ find that if you have a bit on banter with the guys in T2 they sort you out better car than the one you booked.
Fly into Terminal 1 normally. Advantage of Gold is no Bus - I'm in the car within 15 minutes of landing normally, despite the long walk from Slum Air gates.If you fly into T2 at Dublin you can usallŷ go down stairs to the car park and collect your car and also drop it off in the same car park.
If you fly in to T1 it is usallŷ a bus to the compound around the corner, there is no need to walk as there is a mini bus every 5 mins and the drivers Are good Craic too.
Never had a bad car from them what ever class of car i have rented from a Ford KA to a XC90.
I usallŷ find that if you have a bit on banter with the guys in T2 they sort you out better car than the one you booked.
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