HERTZ- *******

HERTZ –What a disaster! I have had a hired car for 20 days with HERTZ. Arranged by my insurance, not by my choice.

Over many years I have had to hire cars for various reasons. I also received some good advice from other people with bad experiences with car rentals and started applying it to my rentals. Take extensive photos when you receive the car, and when you take it back so that you have proof that there was no damage caused by yourself.

So when receiving/returning this car I did this. Upon returning the car I was told that I had bumped the car underneath where the jack fits onto the body. Now tell me – is it expected that I know have to crawl on my hands and knees to inspect a car? I could not have picked this up on signing for it because I never dreamt that I was expected to do this. Not even the person handing the car over to me picked it up or even went on his hands and knees to inspect underneath the car. Fortunately that was proven not to be my damage.

The next most exasperating experience that has cost me a fortune. I parked the car for the inspection. The lady proceeded to feel all the tyres with her hands and then pointed out that there was a nail in it. I said to her I will go and get it fixed. She absolutely refused to let me take the car because I had handed her the yellow checking slip. So needless to say HERTZ proceeded to charge me for a tyre, wheel alignment, wheel balancing and an admin fee. They stated in their email “See on the HERTZ invoice I used the estimated DAMAGE amount that was charged upon returning the vehicle as a deposit and I added Claim Administration fee as per HERTZ Rental agreement.” So they took the estimated amount off my card, not even the amount that it actually cost. When I queried the amount they sent a “quotation” of the amount they would be charged by the supplier, not the invoice. They have not yet sent me an invoice from the supplier to prove that it was replaced. I have asked for the tyre as proof, but am waiting for the branch to get back to me. I am sure that this car has not been standing in the car park since I took it back on the 27th Feb. I stated the facts and they were very quick to throw back the small print “11.2. The Renter agrees that the Lessor may determine the party who shall repair any damage to the Vehicle and/or provide any parts or service in connection with such repair/s or provide any replacements of any lost or damaged item and that the Lessor may enter into an agreement with such party or parties.” My argument is – had I picked up that there was a nail in the tyre before I took it back I would have paid about R100 for the repair and they would not have known anything. I am sure other renters have done this. I would have gone to a reputable tyre repair centre. But because they would not let me take it to be repaired, it cost me a new tyre and R450 in Admin fees in total R1986.63.

So at the end of the day, the next time I rent a car I will go on my hands and knees and check the car underneath, take photos, and check all the tyres by feeling them and inspecting them. And then hold my breath that the next car rental company will not try and rip me off. HERTZ has lost all respect from me and I will not deal with them again by choice!