Hertz Car Hire Sydney, 2 days, 72 KMs, $646 charge

[busissi]

Just shows what a rip off hiring a car can be. Buyer beware - too true. Thank goodness for FF knowledge.

 

[drron]

Returned my Avis rental this evening and decided to read everything.if you do put fuel in during the rental extra fuel is charged as per the fuel gauge.If not charged as per mileage driven.What's the bet that they have some pretty lousy fuel consumption figures?

 

[busissi]

Yip, caveat emptor!

 

[smithy]

Been using Avis for the last ten years and never had a problem here in Australia and in the USA. I rent about 12 times a year and I always get great service and regular upgrades, without asking at Darwin, Cairns and Port Douglas offices. I take the excess reduction insurance because I not sure about those credit card insurances.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Been using Avis for the last ten years and never had a problem here in Australia and in the USA. I rent about 12 times a year and I always get great service and regular upgrades, without asking at Darwin, Cairns and Port Douglas offices. I take the excess reduction insurance because I not sure about those credit card insurances.

With 12 rentals a year, you'd basically pay for an annual multi-trip policy and get all the additional benefits for free.

 

[JohnK]

Returned my Avis rental this evening and decided to read everything.if you do put fuel in during the rental extra fuel is charged as per the fuel gauge.If not charged as per mileage driven.What's the bet that they have some pretty lousy fuel consumption figures?

I am guessing they would fill up to the 22nd click and charge you the difference.

I make sure the needle/gauge is always on full and there can be no disputes. And take a photo as well.

 

[IrishPete]

thanks for suggestion - but our home was broken into and handbag stolen, reported next day to stop cards - we then found balance of funds was withdrawn from her account via a Canberra ATM some days later - WTF !?!?!? - ANZ asserted it must have been her as it was a 'legal' transaction - we got witness statements from 4 guests saying she was in Sydney at the time of the transaction -

we figured the thieves had walked into Canberra branch, said 'oh I've found my card - can you unblock it and give me a new PIN ?' and 16yo ANZ teller had gone 'sure !' - then they walked outside, checked the balance, then withdrew the balance of $800 from the ATM -

we had to fight the ANZ with the ombudsman to get our money back - so - once burned - I don't think I'll be doing business with the ANZ :evil: - ever again - thanks anyway.

The only business I do with ANZ is credit card. So unlikely that what you describe could happen to me. With a 23k credit limit, I would hope not!

 

[RAM]

Complain in writing to the State Govt...

When Does a $5 Toll Cost $30? When You're Driving a Rental Car - Businessweek
[h=1]When Does a $5 Toll Cost $30? When You're Driving a Rental Car[/h]By Justin Bachman August 29, 2014
Florida’s attorney general has received nearly 100 similar complaints in the past 18 months from rental car customers regarding the toll violation fees. The office is investigating fee complaints from customers of Dollar Thrifty, Avis Budget Group (CAR), and Enterprise Holdings, according to spokesman Whitney Ray. The issue has also prompted consumer lawsuits by renters in Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Washington state.

 

[RAM]

Worth reading the complete article.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-06/avis-enterprise-hertz-enjoy-higher-prices-thanks-to-industry-consolidation

Rental-Car Chains Bask in the Power of Higher Prices

By Justin Bachman August 06, 2014
These are blessed days in the land of rental cars. Despite a wave of auto recalls this year that have required some costly shuffling in their fleets, the three main U.S. auto rental companies—Enterprise, Avis Budget Group (CAR) and Hertz Global Holdings (HTZ)—are enjoying robust pricing thanks to industry consolidation.“I’m probably more enthusiastic about our business than I’ve ever been,” Ronald Nelson, Avis Budget’s chief executive, said Tuesday on a conference call with analysts. “And one of the reasons is the meaningful change in pricing that we’ve now seen play out over the past six quarters.”
The merged chains have been shrinking their fleets, which has helped them increase prices. The three also are reducing the amount of inventory available on opaque pricing sites such as Hotwire (EXPE) and Priceline.com (PCLN), which offer consumers deep discounts without revealing the exact company that’s renting the car until a transaction is completed. New revenue management software also helps the large chains forecast supply and demand better and adjust prices more rapidly.

During the FTC’s eight-month review of the Dollar Thrifty sale, the agency noted that the three biggest companies would control roughly 98 percent of the airport rental market.