Complain about a product or service

Avis

Avis • Corporate Points program • International thievery • Disputed return date • A visit from Repo Man • Additional driver charges • Young drivers • 4WD vs. AWD • Misc. problems

Renting a car may seem like a small thing but it can quickly turn big and ugly if things go sour. In particular, if the car is damaged or if the company loses it and blames the renter, as happened to Michele, things can get very nasty.

Mircea of Rhoon, OTHER February 18, 2008

I've made a reservation for a car (reservation to start on February 16th; reservation code 2416-7677-NL-2) via Internet on 29 January 2008, that was confirmed by an automatic email in the same day. I've phone the Rotterdam office on Friday, February 15th, and they confirmed that the reservation is valid. I went to the office in the next morning (February 16th) to pick-up the car as reserved. In the first moment everything was OK, but after the person in charge have seen my passport (I am a Romanian citizen living and working legally in the Netherlands since 2005), she told me that there is no car available on that day as per my request. I have strong reason to believe that she refused to provide the car according to the reservation only because I am a Romanian citizen. (I could see on the office's window a mechanic preparing a car - Opel Vectra - corresponding to my reservation.)

I needed that car because I expected in the same day 4 guests (members of my family) from Romania, and my own car is a Toyota Aygo with only 4 seats. I was forced to travel twice Rhoon (NL)-Dortmund (DE) in order to bring all my guests safely at my place, and also I've had to cancel the travel plans for that weekend. Also I've spent a lot of time, nerves, and phone calls trying to get another car on Saturday, February 16. (It was impossible due to very short notice), and then on Monday. The moral damages (transforming a supposed nice holiday with relatives, all of them over 60 years old, was a nightmare) were considerably higher than the financial ones. I consider this also a clear case of discrimination against an EU citizen.

Texas of San Angelo, TX January 28, 2008

I went in for oil change & was informed I needed a new belt for 50 because it has big hunks out of it. I went down the street to Peerless for a 2nd estimate & they were unable to find any damage. The belt was in EXCELLENT condition. I drove back to Kent-avis lube on 29th & ask for belt to be replaced AS SOON AS I WAS SHOWN THE DAMAGE. Manager claimed I misunderstood him (I think because I am a woman). He also accused me of having the old, worn belt replaced before returning TO GIVE HIM A HARD TIME.

Christian of Jackson Hights, NY November 2, 2007

We rented a car from avis on line for vacation in dominican repablic from 09/22/07 to 10/6/2007.The daily rate for car was 21.78 for 14 days.Total price of 304.92. We also purchased rental car damage protector plan for 135 dollars which we payed right away on line. Total price combined was 531.38.When we came to return the car at the end of our vacation we were told that the charges are 788.15 dollars.

We presented a copy of our contract with confirmation number that we printed from the computer but could not get any explanation of discrepancies. We were told that the manager was not available at that moment and that we had to wait. However,we had flight to New York that would not wait. We refused to sign the charge reciept for 788.15.

When we came to New York, we called AVIS with complaint. They investigated the case and sent us a copy of the contract, which allegatelly, my husband signed (4 pages total) and only one page has my husband's signature on. ... There is no total amount that would be charged. There is rate per day(21.78) and insurance rate per day without total amount written.This was only page of contract that we have been ever presented. We assumed that the charges for insurance were those that we already paid (135dollars). We have never agreed to purchase any other insurance.

Julio of North Hollywood, CA October 29, 2007

On Oct. 24 Avis charged my Debit Card with the amount of 125. I called consumer service and was told that it was a charge for parking ticket on a rental car. I have no idea that I had a parking ticket; Avis should notify me or send me copy of parking ticket before using my debit card without my authorization. I think Avis made an illegal transaction.

I have been unemployed since Aug. 22. When I went to my bank to withdraw 140, I found out that the balance available was 26 because of the unauthorized charge of 125 from Avis Rent-a-Car.

Angela of San Bruno, CA October 8, 2007

While planning my 2-wk vacation to Va and Fl, I researched car rental places. Each showed that picking up a car in Va and dropping off in Fl would be about 800-900. I then researched the same criteria thru my work (Gap Inc) and the price was about 600. So I booked thru my work. No where on the paperwork thru Gap did it state there might be additional charges.

When I got to the counter at Avis in Va, I was not informed by the representative that there were additional charges. I showed her my confirmation with the total I was to pay and she did not state there was more charges. As far as I knew, I was paying 600'ish.

When I dropped off the car in Fl, the final bill came to 1300. I was told to complain in the office or call it in. I choose to call it in since I still had to get on a plane. I called twice to get resolution. Each time I was told to fax in my confirmation from Gap, which I did. Each time I was told that I should have looked at the Avis site with the confirmation number for additional charges. And I stated to both customer service reps that the confirmation did not state there were more charges, so why would I assume there would be. If there was, the person at the counter should have told me.

They said no. She does not know all the charges. Which I think is ridiculous. They can rent cars out, but not know what they are charging their customers?

I also mentioned that their online site said the charge would be 800-900, yet they are charging me 1300. They made no comment to that. As of yet, I still have not heard back from anyone and had to pay the credit card payment.

I think I was cheated out of 600 since they never informed me of the additional charges.

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