Car hire

[puddy-woo]

Well all was good with my hire with inter rent. Car was quite scratched when i got it but was decent enough inside.  No issues, got them to check it in carpark when we left and the money held against my card was removed after 3 days.  Quite a bargain


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[wilson]

Also just returned our car after 2 weeks rental costing under 2 euro a day with Centauro. Can only emphasise that you need your wits about you at all times. Firstly centauro counter lady tried to discreetly down group me from a C to a B group then when paying for rental,fuel etc she inadvertently added 89 euros for insurance which you first see on the chip/pin machine,quickly taken back off, then scare story about breakdown recovery blah blah. Then onto collection of vehicle the vehicle had 12 areas of damage listed on contracf,so then a methodical panel by panel check, we found 2 damages,1 missing aerial and a kerbed alloy all 4 would be chargeable under the rental. Over to the office where disinterested guy got his torch out and agreed the damage and duly updated via his tablet, i asked if vehicle had been inspected prior to which he shrugged. All then went well, upon return the car was well inspected by lady with torch who spent a good 5 minutes checking off all the damage so clearly an emphasis on finding something to charge for in my opinion.

[Spurs]

Had similar with firefly last month went to get car it had 20 panels of damage went over to office to point out 2 not on form guy couldn’t care less he said it had now been updated on return girl from office without looking at the form I had spotted from 20 yards away damage not on form not sure how she knew this as she hadn’t looked at form yet I had to put my phone light on up close to see it I was charged €180 I complained on return home got nowhere so I took it to the governing association and I won got it refunded I completed the online form and asked very pointed questions like has anyone else been charged for damage on this panel and if so have they had jt repaired  don’t be scared to push it and never give up

[wilson]

Spurs totally agree, we once took car back to Drivalia, young girl in office came out with torch and with poor acting skills gave whole car inspection in 3 seconds then homed in on a scratch on alloy wheel, not on the rim but towards the centre, we had to get on our knees to see it, Sorry she says that will be 100 euros to repair. Im convinced on arrival they check they're paperwork quickly before finding the non recorded damage, it was a total scam. We had to pay because being off airport no pay no lift to terminal,  on return to uk contacted credit card provider and disputed payment, duly got a refund. Fraudulent company in my opinion.

[JB]

Just booked a 7 seater at Easter with Firefly... it’s always a bit stressful but so much cheaper so I take the risk , bit like Flying with Ryanair

[John H]

When you’re getting cars that cheap why not just pay the fully comprehensive insurance for a stress free relaxing break?
Last thing I want to be doing is checking cars over on pickup with a torch for damage, I just want to get to my destination.
When I’m away I don’t want to be thinking where I park the car in the supermarket car park in case someone dings it with a trolley.
At the end of the break I just want to return the car, chuck ‘em the keys and go and board my flight without having to endure a forensic check of the car and my patience.
I know we all have different priorities.
I will add that in 14 years of booking direct with Record I have had non of the “aggravation” I read of in these posts.
I did once refuse a car they tried to palm me off with and it was resolved in the space of fifteen minutes, that was many years ago.

Regards all, hope you have a hassle free day, I will

John


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[JB]

personally i have had no hassle just some minor stress in 15 years of hiring but i know i run the risk !

I guess if i do have a bad experience i may change my thought process when hiring

[DaveG]

I must be another of the lucky ones as I've gone 16 years with only one hiccup; a non refund of a refuel charge that I got back anyway after a lot of emails. I haven't hired though in Alicante since late 2015 so perhaps it's got worse. You always had to be vigilant but now it seems that sometimes even that's not enough.

I have just hired a car in Iceland and put my Spanish experiences to the fore when collecting the car and managed to add on about 10 damages that the "inspector" missed. There were three of us going over the car so the attendant was a bit outnumbered. Returning was done however with minimal checks. They block €2100 on the credit card so that concentrates your mind somewhat.

Dave

[wilson]

A bit of perspective is required, over 17 years and 6 to 8 visits per year we must have hired well over 100 cars. Of these most issues have been in the last few years. The tinterweb is littered with similar reviews regarding Alicante car hire companies and theyre questionable practices.
Its not about priorities as suggested or being tight, for me its about honesty and integrity, i book and pay for a rental and sign to abide to the terms of the agreement, i look after the vehicle and aim to return it as given,if i break it i expect to pay for it. Sadly the rental companies at times have no such scruples and should they choose they will try and shaft you.
I also appreciate i could buy theyre very expensive insurance to avoid the hassle, but choose not to preferring instead to spend all that money in the local GA economy.

[Spurs]

Just for info if anyone else feels ripped off this is governing body website for making a complaint

https://www.ecrcs.eu/register-a-complaint.html