Ever Been Fleeced by Hertz?
 

At the risk of sounding cynical, has Hertz abandoned sound and ethical business practices, and replaced it with a shortsighted "fleece the customers" approach? Based on my last two trips to Europe, I might respond in the affirmative. At any rate, I won't again be manipulated by their slick advertising campaigns and enticing - yet deceiving - rates.

Let me explain. Last summer Hertz put a sour twist on an otherwise wonderful trip to Germany when it charged me Euro 220 for some very minor, superficial, almost invisible shrub-scratchings. This so-called "damage" was situated in a very inconspicuous location on the car, and it is my belief that I didn't cause the problem. Hertz claims the damage wasn't present when I first received the car, and it should be said that i did sign-off on the car being clean before I began my driving. Still, it would've taken a lengthy, very ddetailed examination of the car on my part in order to notice these scratches. Indeed, nothing short of getting down on all fours and examining all aspects of the bodywork.

To make matters worse, I had as similarly unpleasant experience with Hertz two summers ago.

Is this what car rental has come to? Is this what Hertz customers must resort to prior to renting a car. I should hope not.

Folks, have you ever had any problems with Hertz? Do I have a legitimate beef, l or do I siply need to be a far more vigilant consumer.

Sorry about the preceding typos, as I accidentally hit "post" rather than "preview".

I had the opposite experience with Hertz in Spain recently. I was afraid that some small marks on the car would cause grief when the car was returned. I figured that Hertz would have been within its rights to charge me for these marks but nothing was said.

Gavin is pretty lucky - but DavidD's problem is not exclusive to Hertz. Most rental agencies I have used anywhere in Europe have been very picky about car damage of any kind. That is why the extra insurance is an absolute must unless you are certain your credit card will cover you.

In my experience, most places in the US the agencies merely do a cursory examination of a returned car. But in Europe they tend to go over it with a fine toothed comb.

Yes I have been fleeced by Hertz (Nice, France branch).

They put £300 extra against my credit card.

I was able to dispute the payment via my credit card company, but they themselves were not great about it.

They asked Hertz to justify the payment. Hertz sent a photocopy of a random bit of paper back to them and their first response was, "we've heard from Hertz so you'll have to pay". I asked for a copy of this document and then had to point out that it had nothing on it whatsoever about the mysterious extra charge, no terms and conditions either that could possibly explain it.

I had quite a go at them along the lines that sending a random document did not amount to proving the charge.

I didn't pay it. I changed CC company. I won't use Hertz in France again.

I too have been fleeced by Hertz both in Italy and France. They really like to "get" you when you don't return the car from the original pick up point. I'm leaving Thurs. for Italy and getting Europcar. Hopefully I will have better luck with them.

Dear Folks,

Thanks to all who've responded to my query.

It pains me to say it, but I suspect I'll have to "eat" the extra charge. However, I won't again use the services of Hertz, no matter how appealing their introductory rates.

I guess this is one more reason why I like AutoEurope. When dealing with Hertz, Avis, or other biggies in Europe, you always get the excuse "the US division is totally separate from the European ones". Even though AutoEurope often uses Avis and sometimes Hertz, I think, they are the people you are dealing with and will follow through in the event there is a problem. Unlike booking through Hertz in the US, and then being told they don't control their European counterparts.

Patrick I agree with you 100%. We always use AutoEurope. Two years ago they assigned us to Hertz in Paris. We picked up in Montparnasse and dropped off in Avignon, no monstrous extra charge. We also scraped the side of the car coming out of an underground car park in Nimes. In Avignon the car was just given a quick once over and nothing was said about the damage, nor were we later billed for it. Of course, we did opt for complete insurance coverage.

Yes,
Hertz two years running at CDG airport Paris, Avis this June Bordeaux/ Biarritz airport.
Next week we're trying Autoeurope from CDG.

When you reserve the car, ask for a hard copy of the agreement that includes the price, and don't lose it. Keep one copy at home, and have a copy with you when you pick up the car.Be sure to check your credit card charge against your original agreement when you get your bill.

I think that Herz has given so many sales incentives to its employees for selling upgrades, etc., that they are tempted to engage in very questionable business practices. Unfortunately, many of them see a chance for an easy buck or euro and are unscrupulous enough to do it.

I am afraid Avis in some locations is following suit. I got royally clipped last year on the extra driver fee in Austria. I should have asked before I got there, but I did not.
And I got took when I should have known better. My fault really for letting my guard down, but I don't like to be the only driver -- not at my age.
Too many things can happen.
(Like the time I was in Utah and ended up with a private airplane ride to Salt Lake City -- a medevac flight to the LDS Hospital coronary intensive care unit. My wife then was forced to drive up from Panguitch to Salt Lake City. Fortunately, it turned out to be no biggie, but it was an anxious few hours.)