Avis Review

Overall 2.45 of 5 view all 56 reviews

cstansley
Sylvania, OH

Bait and switch.

business traveler

Pros

None

Cons

Poor customer service, high prices, Leir !!!! Beware of them, Lying condoned by staff

MAR

2009

Avis —

I made a reservation online for a vehicle to be picked up on Monday, 3/23/09. I had confirmation with a base rate of $198.54 per day, with a total rental charge of 255.38 per day, including taxes and fees. When I got to the Milwaukee airport, Pam, at the rental counter, informed me that the car that I rented was not available, but that they did have a grand marquis available for $255.38. Since that was the same price I was quoted, I agreed. I circled the price on the rental agreement and initialed that price. I made clear to Pam that was the only amount I was agreeing to pay, and I would pay no more than I was originally quoted. She assured me that was the case, and that my original price would be honored.

When I got to the Toledo airport to return the vehicle, my total bill was $331.11, which is significantly higher than my original quote. I contacted the customer service number, and they were unwilling or unable to resolve this issue.

While the car I reserved was not available, the quote should have been honored, regardless of the vehicle provided, as the vehicle reserved was not available. The same thing happened to the woman ahead of me in line. This smells of a bait-and-switch scheme. I have never had a car rental company not honor the original quote in good faith when the vehicle that was reserved was not available.

This is the first time I have used Avis, and it will be my last.

Avis is not recommended by cstansley

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Comments about cstansley’s Review

RIGHT ON TARGET! They did the exact same thing to me. They give you one price at check-in and another price at check-out.

I rented a car from them last week, got a quote for 320 dollars total for 5 days. When I returned the car, they gave me a bill for 600 dollars, showing lots of surprise charges, fees and mileage charges, none of which was disclosed to me at check in. No amount of complaining helped -- they adamantly refused to remove the charges. I canceled my "Preferred" account, filed a dispute with my credit card, and will never use AVIS again. I don't know where they find the people who work for them, but to put it mildly, they are very rude and incompetent. Last month when I rented from them, there was a woman in line in front of me, going ballistic over her bill and demanding to remove extra charges and fees. It took her almost an hour and everyone had to wait in line.

"We try harder?" Give me a break! I would avoid AVIS at all costs.

I can't believe anyone would agree to $255.38/day for any car from any rental agency in the first place. That in and of itself would be enough to keep me from renting from them.

iT IS BAIT AND SWITCH AND IS CLEARLY A LUCRATIVE COMPANY POLICY. THE "CUSTOMER DISSERVICE" DEPARTMENT WAS TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME IN DENVER. I AM TAKING MY CORPORATE AND PERSONAL BUSINESS ELSEWHERE.