This Ordinary Life

If you rent cars, then here is a word of warning. When comparing car rental companies, make sure that you confirm all charges of so called "pre-paid" rentals at the beginning of the rental. As I found out, they often levy additional charges which make what looks like a great deal initially a great rip-off.

I recently travelled to South Africa (this will get its own entry very soon) and had pre-booked a car with Hertz. Their rates were at least 10% cheaper than Avis, Sixt and EuropeCar. I regularly book with Hertz and didn't expect any surprises.

Hertz have a system that appears to be quite honourable. They quote you a
weekly rate and then estimate any additional charges. The total amount including the estimate for additional charges are booked from your card. What you are left with are supposed to be minor adjustments to account for currency fluctuations.

However, when I arrived in Cape Town to pick up my car I was told that I would be incurring an additional 40 pounds, which on top of the 130 that I had already paid was outrageous. However, needing the car at the time and confirming with the local staff that these charges could be discussed upon returning the car, I drove off oblivious to the charges that had already been authorised to my card but would be booked from it until a few days after I arrived home along with an email receipt that justified the overcharging.

I, of course, queried the counter attendant upon returning the car, who confirmed that I was not to be levied any additional charges. Sadly, I didn't take her name and sworn statement at the time, but can you really blame me? I did however call Hertz in the UK upon my return to the UK and they again confirmed that I wouldn't be levied any additional charges. Would you believe that the customer services name and taped statement were again forgotten?

Finally a few days after returning to the UK the additional charges and supporting invoice arrived to my surprise. Having given up verbally chasing up this discrepancy and "mis-selling", I sent an email to Hertz customer service. They were kind enough to look into my complaint and replied "We are right, you are wrong. Tough luck and there is nothing you can do about it!".

Okay, I admit that their response was much more politically correct, but the effect was the same. I am still negotiating with them using the same tactics they used involving breaking things down into simple bt sized chunks. Let's see if they understand.

In the meantime, I am boycotting Hertz and encouraging all of my friend to do so as well. There is a great company called Auto Europe who book cars on your behalf using all the leading car hire companies. They even offer great things like "excess fee waivers", which is something that is quite rare these days. Their rates are very competitive as well. www.auto-europe.co.uk. I might end up with Hertz again, but Auto Europe operate a 100% prepaid system and any other charges are left for them to argue.

Let's see where I end up with Hertz...