I rented a car to use because I'm from out of town and I was needing a car to get to where I was doing my training. Because I hadn't notified my credit card company of my trip, they weren't authorizing my card, and I needed the car the following morning.
I did have some cash so I went to Saban's and got a Ford Taurus that looked okay but ran a little rough (I was referred there by my cousin who said he used them from time to time for a daily truck rental). I figured for the $189/week and $16.95/day additional, it wasn't too bad. The deposit for the ten days was $550. I mentioned that my insurance agency covers my car rental and he said that was fine; he didn't ask to see a copy of my policy.
Two days before I was to return the car, I called them up and asked to extend my rental one more day. The person on the phone said 'no problem'. However, the day I originally was supposed to return the car (remember, I had called and asked for an extension), two guys showed up and took the car from the driveway. Thinking that there was a simple administrative error, I went down there and asked to speak with the manager, with my receipt in hand. I was leaving the next day so I didn't think it would be a big deal; I would just get my deposit back (about $220 from the original $550)
Mr. Saban was there and asked for the car key. As soon as he got the key, he snatched my receipt out of my hand and moved it to the other side of the room. I asked for my receipt and he told me I owed him $120 more than the $550 I had left. He stated that the $16.95/day was for insurance. When I replied that I had told him when I first signed up for the contract I had my own and he said that was okay, he changed his story and told me that it 'was Arizona state law' that all cash rentals were to be insured in the agreement as well.
I then asked for a copy of my receipt and he made a copy of a different receipt (my account, but not the slip that was given to me) which had prices added to it that were not on my copy. Also, he refused to make a copy of the terms and conditions on the back. I was called a 'low life', 'scum', 'dirtbag' among other things. I was told that I was trespassing and to 'get the f*ck out'. Afterwards, I was threatened to be forcibly 'escorted' out by one of his employees.
I notified the police immediately afterwards from my cousin's house and tried to file a complaint. I was told by the officer, because it was a civil matter, they could not take any action. It was at this time I found out about the reputation of Mr. Saban and his business 'ethics'. Apparently, this is a common event with this company.
Original quote: $189/week plus $16.95/day plus cleaning charge ($11.95)= $251.80
Deposit: $550
Money lost: $298.20
I wouldn't send Mr. Saban to rent a car from Mr. Saban. The man is a physical manifestation of his soul: small, mean, and ugly.
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