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Hertz

Hertz • International rentals • What's mid-size? • Late returns • Disputed charges • Abrupt repossession

Like runner-up Avis, Hertz is a household name but that doesn't mean travelers can expect the same consumer protections overseas that they've grown accustomed to here. Take collision damage waivers -- in the U.S., you can decline the optional insurance and not worry about it. But in Amsterdam, France, Italy and elsewhere, it can be una storia differente.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints:

Karen of New York, NY August 12, 2009

on line - or phone guaranteed reservations Three times this summer reservations were cancelled on me - When I called to reconfirm reservations the agent said I had cancelled which indeed I had not! I had also shown up for a confirmed reservation on another occasion and was told no cars were available. How can a company take reservations weeks in advance fail to deliver! It is very distressing when you have a wedding or business commitment and cannot get there because Hertz randomly cancels reservations.

suri of oslo, Norway August 7, 2009

We picked up the car at Hertz. The guy gave the key and no explaination about the car and its latest damage. I was skeptical but we thought it's Norway..no one cheats here in Norway. During the trip we had one scratch at the parking on the side door. When we returned the car at the drop point. Ofcourse no one is there to check it.

We did inform the company that it's the side door we scratch it. Sometime later, We got 1000euro fine. Hertz claimed that we broke the car and they have to change and fixed the light, and the back panel. I was shock. We scratch the side door but Why shall we pay for things that we did not do. They just send us the bill and ask to us to pay the bill within 7 days.

I would never use Hertz again. And I will recommend the company I work for which has 70,000 employees worldwide not to use them. If they do dirty and unfair business like this. They are not deserve to be in the business. 1000 euro bill from Herzt. I'm looking for the attorney now to solve the case. It's really unfair for consumer.

hemant of alexandria, VA August 5, 2009

I had rented a car from Hertz corp. via Priceline.com in june for July 5th 10.30 am to July 6th 11.30am it was clearly mentioned in contract that I will keep the car for an additional hour due to my flight. However Hertz corp. charged me for an additional day's rent 57.19 I have been trying to resolve this matter for some time now, Hertz doesn't even return my e-mails anymore please help me in solving this matter priceline Req. # 12933770259 I have documents which clearly shows car rental for extra hour

Jean of Bronx, NY August 3, 2009

I am a single mother with two children. On 7/09/2009 I called Hertz to put a minivan on hold. They asked for my credit card number to hold the vehicle. They said that if I called back within 24 hours that I will not be charged. Within 15 minutes of putting the car on hold, I called back to cancel the hold. Decided to fly instead.

When I called back I spoke to a young lady who told me that I would be charged 100. for cancellation. I explained to her that the customer service rep. that I spoke to did not tell me that I would be charged to cancel the vehicle but that I would be charged if I did not cancel within a 24 hour period. She put me on hold and when she returned she explained to me that everything was taken care of and that I would not be charged.

I thanked her and asked if there was anything else that I had to do or anyone that I had to speak to in order to clarify that my card would not be debited. She said once again no. One week later on 7/15/09 while on vacation they debited 100.00 on my account. I have called and left several messages for them to call back so that I can have this issue resolved. No one has returned my calls. I am running out of options.

L.K. of columbia, MO July 30, 2009

I made my reservations online. the rate quoted was 129 with another 40 in estimated taxes and fees. After I waited over an hour inline, another 38 in fees were added. This made their rental cost more than all the other quotes I had researched online. They get your business with with a low quote then charge you nearly 80 in fees (a small portion is taxes).

Shirley of San dimas, CA July 29, 2009

We had reserved a car and paid in advance for it through a travel agent. when we arrived in Ireland they said they did not have the car rented and gave us another car. They put an extra charge on the paper but we were so tired from traveling we didn't understand. They charged us an additional 700.00 for that rental which we fell is unfair since they did not have the car we already reserved. the travel agent said she has several other people this happened to. we are tring to file a claim but so far have gotten no where since we signed the paper

Janice of Castro Valley, CA July 29, 2009

We rented and prepaid for a Hertz mid-size rental through Priceline.com to be picked up at Calgary International Airport on June 27, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. and returned on July 3, 2009 at noon. When we arrived at the airport on June 27th, Hertz had NO cars available at all and there were 11 people ahead of us with reservations waiting for cars to be returned. Hertz could not promise us that we would get a car that day and made no effort whatsoever to get us a car through any other rental car agency. After about an hour, we were able to rent a vehicle through National Car Rentals.

David of Elloughton, United Kingdom July 23, 2009

I hired a car from Hertz for twelve days in June. It was a new car so didn't check it over. But didn't take out the extra cost of the damage waiver. I go to Spain and hire from Hertz four times a year. The car was fine and was parked outside where we were staying. Upon returning the car the attendant who came to examine the car walked round it and then pointed to a tiny mark and said because I had not taken out the extra insurance I would have to pay 600 euros. I said that I hadn't damaged the car and still maintain that it must have been there already. But that I would pay for the repair. However we all know that no repair work is done on Hertz cars for dents or scratches. So they made no outlay but said there insurance company would be in touch.

On returning from holiday I wrote to the company and they sent me a bill for 106 euro's and some very blurred photo's purporting to be of the damage on the car. It was so small I don't know how the attendant even noticed it. However I thought well even though I'm a Hertz member they will lose my business and I will just pay up, however I find on my bank statement that Hertz have removed £159.31. without reference to me or my agreement A sum half as much again as the account they sent and with no reference to any insurance company. There is something very fishy about this whole thing and am going to take them to court if they don't reimburse the money they have stolen.

DANIEL of LYNN, MA July 17, 2009

Do you know the "SCAM" that Hertz is charging consumer with? It's call PLATEPASS, is a device that you might don't notice glued to the windshield, so when you drive thru a toll on the road this device will be detected and charge you for an unbelieveble amount of fees, I had had two bad experiences already, Hertz doesn't want to be responsible for, and this PLATEPASS located in Arizona State, have the worse customer relations employees, bad attitude, careless about you or me, or anybody else. I was forced to used on my trip from Boston, MA to my children town of Springfield, MA, 100 miles away. Having had a bad prior experience with this device, I choose to pay the toll cash, but to my surprise, the attendant told me that this device had already been activated and charged for, against my will I continued the trip wich would cost me a total of 13.00 round trip, instead they charged my debit card/mastercard 46.20 for the same tolls, I advised this company that if you don't reversed the charges I would pursued a a complaint with comsumer affairs, and to seek support from a media, to alert future dissapointments of customers that just like me will be victims of an SCAM on behalf of Hertz Rental Car and this partner company called PLATEPASS, so I hope you elaborate a public announcement to alert such future dissapoitments of honest people like me.

Tony of Jerusalem, BC July 9, 2009

I rented a car from Milan airport 21-28 June 2009.Voucher ORDNUM0023729. When returning the car the garage closest to the airport was closed,so I was not able to fill up and return with a full tank.

When the Italian lady clerk (with a very aggressive attitude) said the charge would be 78.80 Euro,I protested. The British clerk next to her said there were other garages close by open. Seeing as I had ample time before my flight,I turned around to take the car,but the Hertz driver has already driven off with the car.

I wrote to Hertz on 29 June to complain about 1)the exhorbitant totally unfair cost(I had filled up with diesel during the week,so I know prices!)and 2)the impertinent attitude of the clerk. Needless to add,I have not received any reply to my complaint.

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