Oh it's True, Enterpise Rent a Car is EVIL!!!!
Sooner or later, whether it's a vacation or out of some other necessity, we'll have to rent a car. You've got places like Hertz, Alamo, Rent A Wreck an so on all offering a variety of cars to suit your needs for a decent rate.
As some of you know, my car was rear ended by a minivan in early December and after tangling with the the woman's insurer known as Chubb, I was finally able to get them to pay up and fix my car. While the photos from that accident didn't look like much, the internal damage to my car was. The trunk was crushed. The exhaust was cracked from the impact. The entire rear frame of the car was bent downward. Taking all of this into consideration, there was loads of work to be done and as of this time, I still don't have my car back!!!
As part of Chubb's service to accommodate me as my car is getting repaired, they agreed to pay for a rental car. This is usually standard policy. So, when I dropped my car off at the body shop a call was made to Enterprise Rent a Car. Hey, they pick you up and you can't beat that. Or on second thought, maybe you could. It took them over an hour to get to me, they ran out of cars. I could have walked to the Enterprise office in less than 10 minutes. Just as I finally decided to do that they arrived with a nice little Nissan Versa, a white one. Not my style but not as bad as I thought. It was new, clean and seemed to have all the bells and whistles.
I was whisked to the Enterprise office to fill out the formal paperwork. Didn't take long, really. Everyone was very nice and accommodating. They asked for the insurance claim number so they could bill Chubb but they also asked for my credit card for "verification purposes." Fine by me, I was told that if anything happened to the car they would use it to charge me. Keep this in
mind as I continue with this story.
I'm lead back out to the parking lot where me and a representative from Enterprise do the obligatory walk around to see if the car has any damage. There is none and the car is is given a clean bill of health. I'm given the keys and just as I'm about to sit down and close the door the Enterprise rep holds out a piece of paper and pen.
Enterprise Rep: Wanna sign a waiver?
Me: A what?
Enterprise Rep: A waiver. You just sign it and you're not responsible for anything that happens to the car.
Me: Really? You do this?
Enterprise Rep: Yes we do, just initial right here and if anything happens you're off the hook.
Me: How...is there anything more to this? I mean I....
Enterprise Rep: Nope. Just a waiver. It won't even count against your insurance. We'll use theirs.
Me: Well, I can't argue with that.
I initial it.
Later......
A week or so has passed and I miss my car but I am enjoying the simplicity of this Versa. Sure the other people driving them on the road seem to be women who live alone and own 12 cats but I had the sporty model which set me apart from them. While at work, I got the hunger for some pizza. I was also feeling generous. I offered to pick something up for one of my colleagues at an Italian restaurant down the road that's actually run by Greeks but who cares, the food is good. They have gotten to know me over the last year or so and when I came in pick up my order I was greeted warmly. They told me the total for my order and I reached for my credit card, they swiped it and.....it got declined!!!
WHAT!?!?!
I was mortified and embarrassed.
What they (Enterprise) DID NOT tell me is that they put a several hundred dollar charge on my card which is nowhere to be found on any of the paperwork presented to me. I am aware that many rental car companies do this, but they usually TELL ME BEFORE DOING IT!!! I was under the false impression that nothing would be charged to me but rather the insurer, Chubb. A stupid name but if they are picking up the tab, great!
I quickly reach for my debit card and use that, anxious to get out of there and bury my head in the sand.
Perhaps it was just a miscommunication, a missed detail. I was willing to give Enterprise the benefit of the doubt. But then, the following week, came another phone call. One that would bring me to the point of rage. One that would have me declaring war and unleashing a fireball of hot blooded Latin temper reinforced with good old fashioned Jewish style kvetching.
I would have my revenge soon enough...........and you will learn how in next installment.
Coming up...... The conclusion on the Evils of Enterprise Rent a Car.
Also... Breathe in and die....the dangers of the prescription drug, Advair and my horror story.
And..... Attack of the matchmaking yentas.
