Webigail

Summer is winding down and I didn’t do many of the things I planned on doing, including visiting with my mum and family in Manhattan. So, while my new vehicle was being worked on, I decided to rent a car and drive to NYC for a week or so.

My husband reminded me that he had a 50% off coupon for Enterprise Rent-A-Car that would be perfect to use. The coupon was awarded to him as result of a class action law suit against Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Although my time with my family, despite the constant rain, was incredible, the rental portion turned into a NIGHTMARE!

I made my reservation online, so I had no clue that I was going to a Toyota dealership to pickup my rental. Not only is it a dealership, but it’s the repair center. Then when they finally get to me, my reservation is in the computer for the wrong day AND there’s not vehicle available at this time. But it was my lucky day (can you smell my sarcasm?). Not only did they find a vehicle for me, but it’s a brand new, 2007 Toyota Hybrid; I was going to get an upgrade for the same price, PLUS my 50% off. Oh Joy. However, I must mention that I declined the additional insurance, as it would have taken my total from $150 to over $350!! Are they NUTS?!

So, I made it to Manhattan, over the bridge, down the busy ave, to mum’s house without incident. Once parked, we hardly even touched the car, because the subway is so close by. Why fuss with trying to park again? Also, it rained so much, we just stayed in and enjoyed catching up.

Fast forward to yesterday, August 23, 2007. I am thrilled that not only am I on schedule for picking up my own vehicle, but I’m actually 3 hours early for dropping off the rental. I filled up the gas tank, despite being told that the tank was full when I got it. It was not. I then expected to walk out with the attendant to inspect the vehicle TOGETHER, but after disappearing for 10-15 minutes, he returned and told me about some damage he “wanted to show me.”

WHAT?! DAMAGE?!

I had to remind myself to breath, and not let the NY’er in me loose it. One more deep breath and I was able to follow this guy outside, with my toddler and one of my rat terriers in tow. The car was dirty, but all I see are hand prints in the dust enveloping this HUGE DENT (I think I almost passed out at this point) on the rear, passenger quarter-panel. The dent was in a strange place; up pretty high and there was no transfer of paint, nor were there any scratches.

Being a little dazed, confused and even second guessing myself, I didn’t say too much, because I really did not know what could have happened. However, I my mother mentioned that the same attendant had been out by the vehicle prior to coming to get me. She couldn’t see everything he was doing, but who is to say that he was not out putting a nice hand sized dent in the car? After all, this was a repair center and body shops know ALL of the tricks.

To add salt to the wound, Isaiah M. Embry, the Assistant Manager, the same person, who did a walk-around without my knowledge, had the audacity to tell me that they were going to charge $500 to my card. He said that they had to charge my entire deductible (I’m calm on the outside, but I’m seething on the inside). I then said, “Look, I’m here 3 hours earlier than I need to be. Let me take the vehicle to my brother’s shop to have the dent removed. You cannot tell me that it’s going to cost more than $500.”

He said that he couldn’t release the vehicle, yet no one could give me an estimate. I left Enterprise befuddled, stunned and questioning my own actions. I did not know that Enterprise was notorious for running so many scams. Getting back to the insurance…since I decided to opt out of using their ridiculous insurance, they pinned existing damage or the attendant manually put a dent in the quarter-panel.

I’m not taking this lightly. I’ve already filed a consumer complaint, contacted my insurance company, as well as my credit card company.

Tune in later to see how this plays out. If you have similar happen to you, please share it…others need to be made aware.