Auto rent scam?
 

Has anyone had a problem with National Auto Rental in Maui? If so, please give specifics.

Thanks,

Woodie

What kind of scam do you think they are conducting? They are a national car-rental company, so it's likely the just have a consumer-unfriendly policy. I'm curious.

Doug:

Yes, you are correct. National Car Rental is an international company. However, each dealer is a franchise.

Recent news reported a man who claimed he was charged $1000.00 for windshield damage. He asked for a picture of the damage and got back a picture that showed some glass chips.

He complained to the national head office [NOT NATIONAL CAR RENTAL]for that firm and was told that the matter was one to be dealt with at the franchise level.

With the renter's credit card it is easy for the renter to add on, justified or not. Go argue after they have your money. Apparently this is not the first time something like this has happened.

So, I am not trying to judge either the renter or the agency he rented from.

I want to know if anyone on this chat site has had a problem, of any kind, with National Rent a Car in Maui.

I am not trying to comment on that renter, that user or his complaint if in fact it is real.

Woodie

The reminder here for all regular renters is the inspection walk around your car should be taken seriously. From one agency to the next, you never know who's going to repair their clunkers out of your wallet.

Do more than just a walk around inspection. Take photos of any car you are renting. Take close up photos of any areas you suspect could be in question and bring them to the attention of the rental agency prior to taking possession of the vehicle. A vehicle could have some slight damage and the rental company could charge customers over and over for the same damage. Make sure the vehicle is clean, dirt can hide scratches and small dents.

I use either Hertz or Avis only (corporate discounts) and examine every care carefully. If I see anything I have them take a photo and put it in their file (the couple of times this has happened they were happy to comply).

Thanks. That's actually what I wanted to know. I think you have a real point that some franchisees of national companies are problematic (this is also true with hotel chains that have a lot of franchises that vary wildly in quality). I thought (and still think) that it's better to lay out the problem and ask for people's input. There are other companies than National, so you should be able to find another car-rental company.

This is not the first time I have heard of this type of aggression on the part of rental agencies. In fact a few years back Alamo allegedly did the same thing. I have used Alamo for years and never had a problem. I take internet hearsay stories with a grain of salt. However, the above advice regarding carefully examining the car before driving off the lot is sound.

I'll be renting from National in Kailua-Kona this May, I'll report back then.