Have you rented auto from Gemut?
Oct 25th, 2007, 10:26 AM
#23
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Hi Cindywho,
We would rent through Gemut again, but would avoid EuropCar and request they reserve us with another company like Avis or Hertz even if the charge was a bit higher. I really do feel like all our our problems stemmed from EuropCar, not from Gemut or AutoEurope. That said, I was disappointed to discover that Gemut doesn't provide any sort of service when problems arise on rentals they book... it took AutoEurope a couple months to sort everything out and we couldn't even get a status update during that time period.
We would rent through Gemut again, but would avoid EuropCar and request they reserve us with another company like Avis or Hertz even if the charge was a bit higher. I really do feel like all our our problems stemmed from EuropCar, not from Gemut or AutoEurope. That said, I was disappointed to discover that Gemut doesn't provide any sort of service when problems arise on rentals they book... it took AutoEurope a couple months to sort everything out and we couldn't even get a status update during that time period.
Oct 25th, 2007, 02:51 PM
#24
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Cindywho, the voucher was issued by AutoEurope and the car was picked up at the AVIS location in Kelsterbach.
There are no extra fees for dropping off at an airport or train station, only for the pick up.
Yes, it's too early for June. They probably won't even have prices until after the first of the year.
There are no extra fees for dropping off at an airport or train station, only for the pick up.
Yes, it's too early for June. They probably won't even have prices until after the first of the year.
Oct 26th, 2007, 11:02 AM
#25
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Cindywho,
I rented through Gemut for our trip to Munich last month. Dealing with Gemut was a breeze, they got me the best deal through National downtown. My payment was made directly to National last June.
The way it worked is I contracted with Gemut, Gemut contracted with Auto Europe and Auto Europe contracted with National Car Rental to get me a car.
I read on this board in August that National was closing offices in Munich so I e-mailed Andy at Gemut. Within a couple of days he sent me a new voucher from Auto Europe with a new location to pick-up my car.
When it came time to pick-up the car I went to the new location that was also closed and had moved 3 blocks away they didn't have a car for me. After a few phone calls we were sent back to the address of the first closed National office that is now a Budget office to pay again. After an hour's worth of calls to Auto Europe they decided to send me to the airport (about an hour away via train) to finally pick-up my car. So four hours after we arrived at the first office for pick-up we were finally in our car and on the road.
When we got back home and I finally sent all of my information (vouchers, receipts, call logs) and a very long letter detailing everything to Auto Europe they basically said that it was all the fault of National and none of the responsibility was on them. I think that they will be reimbursing me for my extra costs that day but basically because we had to miss some of the things that we wanted to do because we lost four hours means nothing to them.
I did double check two days before we left that the address for our pick-up hadn't changed and according to them it didn't.
So the moral of my long story is check and double check especially if your rental goes through Auto Europe. Next time I will go so far as to call the rental agency as well, I will never trust Auto Europe again.
I rented through Gemut for our trip to Munich last month. Dealing with Gemut was a breeze, they got me the best deal through National downtown. My payment was made directly to National last June.
The way it worked is I contracted with Gemut, Gemut contracted with Auto Europe and Auto Europe contracted with National Car Rental to get me a car.
I read on this board in August that National was closing offices in Munich so I e-mailed Andy at Gemut. Within a couple of days he sent me a new voucher from Auto Europe with a new location to pick-up my car.
When it came time to pick-up the car I went to the new location that was also closed and had moved 3 blocks away they didn't have a car for me. After a few phone calls we were sent back to the address of the first closed National office that is now a Budget office to pay again. After an hour's worth of calls to Auto Europe they decided to send me to the airport (about an hour away via train) to finally pick-up my car. So four hours after we arrived at the first office for pick-up we were finally in our car and on the road.
When we got back home and I finally sent all of my information (vouchers, receipts, call logs) and a very long letter detailing everything to Auto Europe they basically said that it was all the fault of National and none of the responsibility was on them. I think that they will be reimbursing me for my extra costs that day but basically because we had to miss some of the things that we wanted to do because we lost four hours means nothing to them.
I did double check two days before we left that the address for our pick-up hadn't changed and according to them it didn't.
So the moral of my long story is check and double check especially if your rental goes through Auto Europe. Next time I will go so far as to call the rental agency as well, I will never trust Auto Europe again.
Oct 27th, 2007, 10:39 AM
#26
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To TexasAggie,
It's not in Gemut's power to refund money as they don't collect it. However, they have certainly helped me when I have been overcharged. Two years ago Avis nailed me for insurance to the tune of more than $800. I had unknowingly signed for it (contract in German, I didn't ask for copy in English). Had I been dealing directly with Avis I doubt I would have been refunded as they had my signature. I believe that Gemut used its “juice” with Autoe Europe who in turn used their leverage with Avis to convince them that I didn't intend to buy the optional insurance. Andy told me I was lucky to get the refund. I have had several problems over the 15 years I have been dealing with Gemut and they have always carried the ball for me and never referred me to Auto Europe.
Kurt
It's not in Gemut's power to refund money as they don't collect it. However, they have certainly helped me when I have been overcharged. Two years ago Avis nailed me for insurance to the tune of more than $800. I had unknowingly signed for it (contract in German, I didn't ask for copy in English). Had I been dealing directly with Avis I doubt I would have been refunded as they had my signature. I believe that Gemut used its “juice” with Autoe Europe who in turn used their leverage with Avis to convince them that I didn't intend to buy the optional insurance. Andy told me I was lucky to get the refund. I have had several problems over the 15 years I have been dealing with Gemut and they have always carried the ball for me and never referred me to Auto Europe.
Kurt
Oct 27th, 2007, 10:48 AM
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One more thing: No matter who you book through, Gemut, Auto Europe, or direct with the rental company, overcharges and other problems can happen. It's the service you get when you have those problems. If you book directly with Avis (or Hertz or Europcar) and have a problem at pickup time, what do you do other than ask for an Avis supervisor? With Gemut you get the 24/7 toll free number which will then deal from a position of strength with the rental company (they send them a lot of business).
Kurt
Kurt
Oct 29th, 2007, 10:29 AM
#28
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To kurt1938:
Nowhere have I suggested that Gemut was responsible for either the overcharge or the refund due me. All I have done is express my disappointment that Gemut:
1. Sat on my phone messages and emails for some time before even sending me a simple response, and
2. Sent me straight to AutoEurope and wouldn't even check on the status of the request for me
While I am happy that Gemut has personally handled problems you had in the past, they did not do so for me. I would certainly use them again (not allowing them to book EuropCar of course), but I would do so with the caveat that I should expect zero service from them after they book the reservation. If they happened to provide any, it would be a nice surprise.
Nowhere have I suggested that Gemut was responsible for either the overcharge or the refund due me. All I have done is express my disappointment that Gemut:
1. Sat on my phone messages and emails for some time before even sending me a simple response, and
2. Sent me straight to AutoEurope and wouldn't even check on the status of the request for me
While I am happy that Gemut has personally handled problems you had in the past, they did not do so for me. I would certainly use them again (not allowing them to book EuropCar of course), but I would do so with the caveat that I should expect zero service from them after they book the reservation. If they happened to provide any, it would be a nice surprise.
Oct 29th, 2007, 12:18 PM
#29
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Wow--what an unfortunate experience, TxAg. I'd be more than upset had that happened to us.
Luckily, our experience this Sept with Gemut went perfectly. They booked a midsized car through Europcar; We were given a bigger, nicer car at our Freilassing pickup location, and we had no problems with the return. I sometimes think it's the luck of the draw with Euro car rentals.
Luckily, our experience this Sept with Gemut went perfectly. They booked a midsized car through Europcar; We were given a bigger, nicer car at our Freilassing pickup location, and we had no problems with the return. I sometimes think it's the luck of the draw with Euro car rentals.
Oct 29th, 2007, 03:11 PM
#31
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I quess I have two problems with Gemut. 1. a big part of the savings they show is from using your credit card for CDW. This is not the same as having full insurance. If you insist on doing this, at least make sure you get similar quotes from other companies.
2. it involves renting a car. Needing a car is an American paradigm. In Germany, to be sure, as well as other parts of Europe, public transfortation is so good you don't need a car.
I just spent a week traversing the Romantic Road using public transportation. Everyone says you have to have a car, but I spent only $126 for train and bus tickets. Gemut quoted $270 for car rental; fuel would have been another $75, so I saved about $220. Make sure you thoroughly check out public transportation before renting a car.
2. it involves renting a car. Needing a car is an American paradigm. In Germany, to be sure, as well as other parts of Europe, public transfortation is so good you don't need a car.
I just spent a week traversing the Romantic Road using public transportation. Everyone says you have to have a car, but I spent only $126 for train and bus tickets. Gemut quoted $270 for car rental; fuel would have been another $75, so I saved about $220. Make sure you thoroughly check out public transportation before renting a car.
Oct 30th, 2007, 04:07 PM
#32
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Tx Ag
Yes, we were pleasantly surprised and grateful for the upgrade to a more spacious auto. Freilassing is a small Europcar outlet, and I had wondered if that might happen. Glad it did.
LorenzoINtheRockies (I'm "Euro-styling your name)--I'd never rented a car in Europe before, preferring to use public transportation. As others have posted when this has been debated, I think it depends on the time you have available and where you want to go. Sometimes, a car makes most sense. Depending on the number of people in your party, a car also can be as cheap if not cheaper--particularly if you're comparing it to taking trains with more amenities than the RE/RB/D types.
That having been said, I'll probably return to public transportation next time. Having tried driving once, I now have satisfied my urge to see what it was like.
Comparing the two, I prefer the trains: they don't require me to focus as much, I can enjoy having a good german bier while viewing the scenery and I can visit with other travelers. Plus, they just feel right--a sense of old world Europe.
Yes, we were pleasantly surprised and grateful for the upgrade to a more spacious auto. Freilassing is a small Europcar outlet, and I had wondered if that might happen. Glad it did.
LorenzoINtheRockies (I'm "Euro-styling your name)--I'd never rented a car in Europe before, preferring to use public transportation. As others have posted when this has been debated, I think it depends on the time you have available and where you want to go. Sometimes, a car makes most sense. Depending on the number of people in your party, a car also can be as cheap if not cheaper--particularly if you're comparing it to taking trains with more amenities than the RE/RB/D types.
That having been said, I'll probably return to public transportation next time. Having tried driving once, I now have satisfied my urge to see what it was like.
Comparing the two, I prefer the trains: they don't require me to focus as much, I can enjoy having a good german bier while viewing the scenery and I can visit with other travelers. Plus, they just feel right--a sense of old world Europe.
Oct 30th, 2007, 05:53 PM
#33
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Larryincolorado,
The main reason we are going to rent a car is to save time, not money. We are going from Munich to Garmish via Fussen area (stay only 2 night), then to Rothenburg (stay 1 night), then to Bacharach (stay 2 nights). Need to be in Frankfurt 11 am for flight home.
Does the car make sense to you-I know you are very experienced traveling in Germany. I would rather take the trains, but fear we are losing too much time when a direct car route will get us there quicker.
BTW, we have NO experience traveling in Europe.
The main reason we are going to rent a car is to save time, not money. We are going from Munich to Garmish via Fussen area (stay only 2 night), then to Rothenburg (stay 1 night), then to Bacharach (stay 2 nights). Need to be in Frankfurt 11 am for flight home.
Does the car make sense to you-I know you are very experienced traveling in Germany. I would rather take the trains, but fear we are losing too much time when a direct car route will get us there quicker.
BTW, we have NO experience traveling in Europe.
Oct 31st, 2007, 06:32 AM
#34
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Hi Cindy,
>I am hesitant to take it because of the negative reports on this site for Europcar.
Everyone can have an off day. We have gotten cars from them and everything worked perfectly.
>BTW, we have NO experience traveling in Europe.
What's your entire itinerary?
>I am hesitant to take it because of the negative reports on this site for Europcar.
Everyone can have an off day. We have gotten cars from them and everything worked perfectly.
>BTW, we have NO experience traveling in Europe.
What's your entire itinerary?
Nov 13th, 2007, 04:51 AM
#35
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Driving in most of Germany (outside of the big cities) is usually pretty easy. Good roads, well marked. Considerate, knowledgeable drivers for the most part. If you are just going to big cities, trains are definitely the way to go. If heading to more out of the way places or if you like to make spur of the moment stops here and there, then a car is wonderful. We often end up doing part of our trip by train and part by car.
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