Car Hire - issues

[klad1]

We were out for a week at the end of October. We usually use Record but I did an internet search and through car trawler we booked car hire for about 120 euros. We were forced to pay for 8 days hire even though we were only 3 hours into the 8th day. The company turned out to be Hiper, transfer from the airport to car pound at the beginning but we were told drop off at the airport on return. The latter turned out to be untrue. We werent happy about that particularly when we got a puncture on our way back to drop the car off on our return journey. The car was old as was the tyre but it was just legal. They tried to charge us for the cost of a new wheel which we vehemently argued against , taking photographs to prove there was no wheel dmage. They eventually agreed to charge us 20 euros. Because we had caused a fuss one of the coach drivers cussidly refused to let us onto the bus transferring to the airport making us wait 15 minutes for the next one even though there was space for us. Luckily we did not miss the plane. We were surprised this weekend to get a letter from them telling us they had charged to our credit card 130 euros for the cost of a brand new tyre ( the cost over here for the same tyre is half that price) No mention of the 20 euros they had charged us on site. Obviously we are pursuing this with the company and our credit card provider.
We were also charged 71 euros for a full tank of petrol of which only half was used. Our car was a smallish Renault Clio, we own one over here and it costs about £42 to fill. I just wondered what others were charged for various car groups /engine sizes. It just makes me feel like driving back and forwards to the old town from the port untill I have just enough petrol left to comfortably get to the airport! How can we collectively do something about this blatant rip off.

 

[Sun Properties]

klad1 - Sorry to hear of your problems with Hiper - hopefully your credit card company will pursue the matter and your costs will be reimbursed.

The question of overcharging for petrol has been discussed before - if you talk to the operators the charge is not only for the cost of the fuel but for their staff taking the car to the station to fill up etc. I realise this is an excuse but historically (before the recent higher cost of renting) this was one of the operators ways of getting rental levels up to realistic figure. The cost of sat-nav, child seats, second driver and roof racks bears no resemblence to the actual cost but the operators know this is one way of making (more) money.

I had a puncture on my hire Clio a couple of years ago. Nipped into the Firestone garage near Eroski (Caprabo) - they wanted 30 euro for the repair (nail) so went in Pollensa to the Skoda garage just off the square by Picollo Forno - 9 euro. Realise this was of no help to you but post as advise to others.

The only thing you can do to put people off Hiper is to post here however in fairness friends of ours who visited the Port earlier this year were helped out by Hiper who found them a car when another firm let them down.

 

[klad1]

Thanks Sun Its useful to know what a repair would have cost, hopefully we will get some redress. The petrol issue is just wrong as there is no way of knowing the charges they are going to make for the petrol before you actually pick up the vehicle. Far better to charge a realistic price for the car hire then let the driver fill up his own tank. Seems to me they are charging about 20 euros a time to do it on our behalf.

 

[Project]

Try Sixt - gets my vote.

 

[ragdollabbi]

Used Hertz in October. Got a really good deal on hire of car but were ripped off at the Airport, both with Insurance and fuel. Have complained to them but as yet have had no reply.....why does that not surprise me. We just need to keep complaining, as I don't think people will stop booking cars...if only we could. Have priced 10 days with Hertz for July next year and it is approx £400 for a VW Polo!!!!!!! The only good thing is that their cars are usually in very good condition and very clean.

 

[med777]

But rag, thats the thing... this is supposed to be r & r time... so it's a pain in the butt if ur starting point is hassle !
Yesterday, OH just went for it, bought a second hand car and son & him are gonna drive it out next month. I hope this works for us.. but for what this car cost us and hopefully the amount of hassle it (should) save... it will be worth it. On this years' prices and the projected next years prices, even with the drive from Scotland, if we get a couple of years from it, we will have at least broken even... any longer is a bonus AND... nae uncertainty or 2/3 hours waiting in the airport to find out IF u even have a car !
Sadly it's all knock on from the media inflammed recession.

Miriam

 

[eleanor]

Good luck with the car, Miriam.
I'm sure you will have less headaches then trying to hire at a reasonable cost and wondering what will happen on arrival and how long you will need to wait for the car, what the extras will be and even if it is clean, roadworthy and tidy!! The amount of money charged, to have a clean, roadworthy car should be not be something we just hope for!
Enjoy your car and hope son and husband enjoy their drive to PP. Look forward to hearing how it went for them.