No car for a pre-paid car

I had a recent experience with Rentalcars.com. I had booked a car for 4 days in Venice (Marco Polo Airport) to be picked up at 12 noon. My flight got delayed a few hours and I arrived at 4pm for my pre-paid car. The rental car company had given away my car and was told they had no cars left. They told me to contact Rentalcars.com for my refund as they did not receive any payment. I contacted Rentalcars.com and was told that since I arrived after 2 hours of my scheduled time, I forfeit my payment of $200 AND they cannot help me get another car. They said that the 2 hour deal was part of they 'terms and conditions' - the long agreements they expect me to read. I did read the confirmation email and rental fees/excess information they provided which doesn't mention any 2 hour rule.

I was stranded in Venice airport, without a car for my road trip. Most other car rentals were also sold out. The ones that remained where charging me 550 Euro ($800 CAD) since it was their last full-size car, for 4 days. Not to mention, I'm out $200 from Rentalcars.com.

I called Rentalcars.com, who said that they were sorry to hear my flight got delayed for a few hours but they cannot refund my money. I forfeit my entire rental amount as I arrived 4 hours late for my PRE-PAID car, which I expected to be there - I already paid for it! They don't have a right to rent it to somebody else and charge me and them (double). Not to mention now I have another $800+ amount I have to pay out of pocket to rent a car for my euro trip.

The worst site and service I have ever come across.

ADVICE - Always book directly through the rental car sites as they will hold your prepaid car for at least 24 hours. Do not try and save $20 and loose your rental when you arrive and forfeit the entire amount prepaid for the rental itself.