Carjacking at Hertz BNE Dom

[anat0l]

Don't leave the keys in the car.

In the old days, I remember always being handed the keys to the car at the counter when you signed the contract.

Apparently it's a part of expediting the customer to car experience to leave the keys in the car, so you can just walk up, get checked out, then drive away.

Likely someone wasn't quite thinking of this criminal contingency when they conceived the idea. Guess you can't exactly throw the full book at the marketing brainiac; their idea had good intentions (after all, brazen car boosting by breaking a barrier and knocking a few cars on the way was not exactly vogue at the time, I'm sure).

 

[markis10]

Likely someone wasn't quite thinking of this criminal contingency when they conceived the idea. Guess you can't exactly throw the full book at the marketing brainiac; their idea had good intentions (after all, brazen car boosting by breaking a barrier and knocking a few cars on the way was not exactly vogue at the time, I'm sure).

I am sure someone at the car hire companies thought of the possibilities, which is why most car locations have the spikes etc in this case its more of a "what were BNE thinking" scenario, something we residents are used to with the odd decisions that come out of that airport at times.

 

[boomy]

Don't leave the keys in the car.

I find this benefit very important and that's one of the reasons I'm loyal to Hertz, even when they are not the cheapest option around. It's a part of their service I really appreciate.
Earlier this week I picked up a car late from BNE international and had to queue up for 25 minutes just to get the keys. If I would have to do that every time I rent a car (about twice a week), I would have to consider switching to another company.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

In the old days, I remember always being handed the keys to the car at the counter when you signed the contract.

I find this benefit very important and that's one of the reasons I'm loyal to Hertz, even when they are not the cheapest option around. It's a part of their service I really appreciate.
Earlier this week I picked up a car late from BNE international and had to queue up for 25 minutes just to get the keys. If I would have to do that every time I rent a car (about twice a week), I would have to consider switching to another company.

Back in the "old" days, most companies had the required face to face staffing levels that allowed a swift (well, relatively swift) transaction to occur at a counter. These days it's all about reducing wages. I'm with boomy on this one, I now refuse to use Hertz at BNE Int as every time I've been there, they have had one staff member and always a queue of in excess of 20 mins with someone in line wanting to know which side of the road to drive on and what colour a red light is in Australia . I do admit to being inflicted with a disease which is terminal (called grumpy old man syndrome) and standing in a queue listening to someone describe a car type to someone else clearly confused by it all, inflames my condition!

 

[boomy]

Back in the "old" days, most companies had the required face to face staffing levels that allowed a swift (well, relatively swift) transaction to occur at a counter. These days it's all about reducing wages. I'm with boomy on this one, I now refuse to use Hertz at BNE Int as every time I've been there, they have had one staff member and always a queue of in excess of 20 mins with someone in line wanting to know which side of the road to drive on and what colour a red light is in Australia . I do admit to being inflicted with a disease which is terminal (called grumpy old man syndrome) and standing in a queue listening to someone describe a car type to someone else clearly confused by it all, inflames my condition!

I had to listen to a lecture about the toll road system in Australia (how it works in every state) and what are the payment options. Then the guy had to go over to his wife, repeat the story and consult with her for a few minutes if it worth paying the $9.90 or not. All that while I'm standing there staring at my rental agreement, nicely placed in the "Gold" section with the keys inside, thinking it was all done to torture me when I'm tired after a long flight .

 

[markis10]

[h=1]Upgrade to Gold Canopy Facilities – Brisbane Airport[/h]We’d like to inform members of upgrades and maintenance with the Gold Canopy located in the Brisbane Airport car park, effective immediately. All members picking up from this location should still proceed to the car park as normal, however they will need to collect their keys from the Gold Priority Counter before going to their vehicle.

We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and will endeavour to provide members with the fastest possible service during this time

 

[boomy]

At least they didn't try to present it as an "enhancement"

 

[Sprucegoose]

I find this benefit very important and that's one of the reasons I'm loyal to Hertz, even when they are not the cheapest option around. It's a part of their service I really appreciate.
Earlier this week I picked up a car late from BNE international and had to queue up for 25 minutes just to get the keys. If I would have to do that every time I rent a car (about twice a week), I would have to consider switching to another company.

Just like the Ford pinto fuel tank design, costed all the angles in here. Better value in service delivery than the insurance excess say once every two months??? Quite possibly however just a total guess


http://en.m.wikibooks.org/wiki/Professionalism/The_Ford_Pinto_Gas_Tank_Controversy

 

[Aussie Pete]

Today everyone have to pick up the keys from the counter, with a priority given to gold members. Will be interesting to see if they will change their policy after today's events.

I received a notice from hertz have to get keys from counter now.

 

[boomy]

I received a notice from hertz have to get keys from counter now.

They do that in BNE after the trouble they had with stolen cars. In SYD they still keep the keys in the car, for now.

 

[drross]

They do that in BNE after the trouble they had with stolen cars. In SYD they still keep the keys in the car, for now.

I wonder how how many stolen cars it will take before SYD changes.

 

[AdMEL]

They do that in BNE after the trouble they had with stolen cars. In SYD they still keep the keys in the car, for now.

The inconsistencies are annoying! And the queuing is also annoying!

Given you live there, I take it you don't rent cars from MEL? They dispensed with the board with your name on it ages ago and you have to collect the keys from a tiny booth in the carpark, which fits two staff and no more than 2 or 3 customers!! I can see why they don't leave the keys in the car though, since you can exit the Hertz car park without going through any barriers if you leave to the Gold side of the booth (to the left if you're looking at the booth from the terminal). I can't remember what it was previously like (So long ago!), but they did have a board, so can only assume they left the keys in the car. Not sure why they still have the tiny booth though, rather than a proper office, since all the other car rental agencies also have offices in the car park, but I think they mainly use them for their member customers, with the desk in the terminal for other customers, unlike Hertz. Again, this is inconsistent between airports. E.g. Budget NTL has a desk in the terminal, but directed me to the office in the car park - not sure that was because it was a fast break reservation - had to queue there, but only a few min.

 

[lovestotravel]

Hertz in MEL is weird as you have said AdMel!

They don't use the "proper" office where all the other rental car agencies operate out of and the board hasn't been used for years now

I assume they are still paying rent on the "proper" office location so it makes no sense, to me, to operate out of a small portable office in the carpark.

You are right that it only fits about 3 customers at most and it's a pain in the rear when it's busy.

Hertz are pretty much on their final chance with me at the moment, I am sick of their old vehicles, poor upgrades to one of their best customers and the argument I had to get into with a Franchisee location a few weeks again when he claimed again and again that the ONLY airline partner you can credit points to was Virgin Australia.

Eventually I got him to add my SQ number to the booking, but the prick changed the number afterwards (it was correct when I left the office) so my points didn't credit automatically!

Old cars at CBR and SYD and despite having NO CAMRY's in my profile and after a call the day before to request "anything but a Camry" MEL Downtown gave me a Camry, even when it was written on the paperwork for when the drone went to assign me a vehicle.

I am no longer VA Platinum so I lose a few VA points, and I don't care too much about earning VA points, so happy to rent from other companies. I'd love to give Europcar a big slice of my rentals, but the constant stories of charging for existing damage continues to keep me away for much more than a 1-2 day rental.

A friend of mine was accused of scratching a vehicle and $1500 of damages were attempted to be charged to him by Europcar. Luckily he had taken my advice and had photos of the vehicle BEFORE leaving the lot and eventually a Manager said that the damage was there before it was picked up.

Yet again in Australia we get the worst service at the highest prices!

Hertz in the USA are outstanding, but again, their fleet is getting older as well

 

[boomy]

Hertz in the USA are outstanding, but again, their fleet is getting older as well

I still prefer an old Mustang or Camaro in the US over a new Yaris or Corolla here in OZ, considering it's almost the same price.

 

[AdMEL]

Hertz in MEL is weird as you have said AdMel!

They don't use the "proper" office where all the other rental car agencies operate out of and the board hasn't been used for years now

I assume they are still paying rent on the "proper" office location so it makes no sense, to me, to operate out of a small portable office in the carpark.

You are right that it only fits about 3 customers at most and it's a pain in the rear when it's busy.

Hertz are pretty much on their final chance with me at the moment, I am sick of their old vehicles, poor upgrades to one of their best customers and the argument I had to get into with a Franchisee location a few weeks again when he claimed again and again that the ONLY airline partner you can credit points to was Virgin Australia.

Eventually I got him to add my SQ number to the booking, but the prick changed the number afterwards (it was correct when I left the office) so my points didn't credit automatically!

Old cars at CBR and SYD and despite having NO CAMRY's in my profile and after a call the day before to request "anything but a Camry" MEL Downtown gave me a Camry, even when it was written on the paperwork for when the drone went to assign me a vehicle.

I am no longer VA Platinum so I lose a few VA points, and I don't care too much about earning VA points, so happy to rent from other companies. I'd love to give Europcar a big slice of my rentals, but the constant stories of charging for existing damage continues to keep me away for much more than a 1-2 day rental.

A friend of mine was accused of scratching a vehicle and $1500 of damages were attempted to be charged to him by Europcar. Luckily he had taken my advice and had photos of the vehicle BEFORE leaving the lot and eventually a Manager said that the damage was there before it was picked up.

Yet again in Australia we get the worst service at the highest prices!

Hertz in the USA are outstanding, but again, their fleet is getting older as well

I actually find Melbourne Downtown pretty good most of the time. Haven't rented from there for a while though. MEL airport I have always found good for returns but terrible for pick-ups! Always a queue in the tiny booth, rental agreement always has an earlier collection time than my reservation, which inflates the estimated charges - it always corrects on return, as they actually start the time from actual collection, but again this is inconsistent - some locations do this and some start from the time on the rental agreement irrespective of actual collection time! I've queried this at MEL before and have been told their system can't show start times in advance on rental agreements! What a crock! Every other location can!

Out of interest, which Europcar location?

I still prefer an old Mustang or Camaro in the US over a new Yaris or Corolla here in OZ, considering it's almost the same price.

Agreed! Having said that, the Camaros I've rented in the US have always been near new! At least when I pick them up - not so near new after I add 5,000 miles!!

 

[Aussie Pete]

Hertz in MEL is weird as you have said AdMel!

They don't use the "proper" office where all the other rental car agencies operate out of and the board hasn't been used for years now

I assume they are still paying rent on the "proper" office location so it makes no sense, to me, to operate out of a small portable office in the carpark.

You are right that it only fits about 3 customers at most and it's a pain in the rear when it's busy.

Hertz are pretty much on their final chance with me at the moment, I am sick of their old vehicles, poor upgrades to one of their best customers and the argument I had to get into with a Franchisee location a few weeks again when he claimed again and again that the ONLY airline partner you can credit points to was Virgin Australia.

Eventually I got him to add my SQ number to the booking, but the prick changed the number afterwards (it was correct when I left the office) so my points didn't credit automatically!

Old cars at CBR and SYD and despite having NO CAMRY's in my profile and after a call the day before to request "anything but a Camry" MEL Downtown gave me a Camry, even when it was written on the paperwork for when the drone went to assign me a vehicle.

I am no longer VA Platinum so I lose a few VA points, and I don't care too much about earning VA points, so happy to rent from other companies. I'd love to give Europcar a big slice of my rentals, but the constant stories of charging for existing damage continues to keep me away for much more than a 1-2 day rental.

A friend of mine was accused of scratching a vehicle and $1500 of damages were attempted to be charged to him by Europcar. Luckily he had taken my advice and had photos of the vehicle BEFORE leaving the lot and eventually a Manager said that the damage was there before it was picked up.

Yet again in Australia we get the worst service at the highest prices!

Hertz in the USA are outstanding, but again, their fleet is getting older as well

OMG!!!! A Blood brother!!!!
I have the same policy - anything but a Camry!!!

Funniest example was one of my many journeys to Hervey Bay. My standard no Camry was too hard so I just always said no Toyotas. Finally the franchisee was around when I got there on this trip and he made a point of saying he had four Toyotas for one of everything else. I said that's fine, I'll have one the rest then. He handed me the keys to a Falcon. The next trip I got a Camry and can verify it sits just on 102km/h in second gear on the rev limiter - all the way to Maryborough.

The biggest issue with Hertz now is their car surveys are horrendously inaccurate. Takes so long to get a car out even as a Gold Plus or whatever they call it these days.

 

[docjames]

I "enjoy" getting a Corolla or Carmy, just to remind me of how good everything else is.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I "enjoy" getting a Corolla or Carmy, just to remind me of how good everything else is.

I find the double paper bags over my head a bit uncomfortable though. Can't risk anyone seeing me in one of those things.

 

[boomy]

This week I found a new car to add to my 'no way' list at Hertz - the Ford Mondeo. Not only the seat is so hard it can break your back but it also takes forever for the engine to react from the moment you press the accelerator.
Now my list contains Holdens and ALL Fords.

 

[lovestotravel]

This week I found a new car to add to my 'no way' list at Hertz - the Ford Mondeo. Not only the seat is so hard it can break your back but it also takes forever for the engine to react from the moment you press the accelerator.
Now my list contains Holdens and ALL Fords.

Hertz have a few Mondeo's floating around as a Full Size vehicles which are not that Full Size IMO. They are all the base models too which means the interior is cheap especially when compared to the new Commodore!

I have driven the current Mondeo for a good period of time, as a work vehicle and don't mind it, well it's OK... but for $32,000, I would never buy one!

I hadn't noticed the seat being that hard, but now you mention it yes

The standard radio is rubbish and the single line orange display in the radio is very early 2000's, and pathetic when compared to a Camry/Falcon/Commodore/Anything else really even $15,000 vehicles.

As for the transmission/engine, it's not the fastest vehicle "off the mark/when accelerating" but it's not that bad.

Sadly, not many people rent full size vehicles anymore, so there are not many floating around the Hertz lot, I have seen a few new SV6's and apparently the VW fleet is going, which was mainly the "Premium Full Size" vehicle of choice for a while. Wasn't told what the replacement was.

If you want a decent Full Size vehicle I'd rent from Avis/Europcar

Anyways, keys still in the car at SYD..... Even in all the BMW's.....