Steer clear of this place!
There is good reason every single review here is a one star rating. My mistake was not looking them up on Yelp and reading other reviews. But if my review can help someone else avoid the deceptive and horrible experience I encountered, then maybe there is some justice in the world.
So, please avoid this place like the plague. But if you insist on renting from them, make they spell out, in plain English, all the terms. Don't just go by the legalese, jargon-filled contract that they hand you. Actually, write you your own terms and understanding and have them sign off on that. Yes, this may seem extreme, but the point is you should not have to go through this and you are better off avoiding them altogether.
To be fair, I realized when I called this business that I would be receiving an older car. I didn't mind that the car wasn't pretty, just as long as it got me from point A to B. What I did not expect was being told one thing when I rented the
car and then having them go back on what they said. I also did not expect the verbal abuse and mocking of my compliant when I called back. At one point, when I asked for their names, the person on the line asked for my name, my social
security number, my children's names, ect. To him, this was a big joke. I've never experienced any such behavior from a business and it blows me away that they are still in business.
Saying that, this is what I encountered:
I asked what the rate would be and they quoted me the price from their website - $189. I then asked what would the price be with all taxes, fees, and other charges. The man at the front desk estimated
it at around $260 or so. Keep in mind that their own website lists rentals starting at $129 PER WEEK. I believe I was charged $189 because I rented a mid-size rather than a compact. Still, at $189 starting and $260 with all the extra charges I still thought good deal. Obviously, I was very wrong.
Http://www.rentacarphoenix.com/
When I arrived Wednesday and they gave me a car from the lot, I explained that I would
be renting from Wednesday, March 21 to Sunday, March 25. I also explained that
I would be returning the rental Sunday evening, around 7:30 P.M., as my flight
was departing 9:25 P.M. The person at the front desk and the one who handed me
the keys said that was fine.in fact, the person who handed me the keys at the
lot said that there was no difference in the price whether it was 4 or 7 days.
Remember, their own website quotes WEEKLY RATES and the last I checked a week
is 7 days.
Again, I should have made them sign off on everything I noted above, but in my rush I
trusted they would do the right thing. The person at the front desk said they
had been in business for 40 or so years, so that gave me some comfort. Again,
that was a huge mistake.
When I did return the car Sunday evening, I asked for a receipt at the drop-off spot
acknowledging that I did so. I was told I would have to call Monday morning to
follow-up with them. I was on a flight and traveling Monday, so I called
Tuesday morning. This is when I learned they were charging me $438. When I
asked why, the woman answering the phone said I returned it past the 5:45 P.M.
Sunday return time and that I would have to pay a full extra day.
They also said that the $438 price included a $16.95 a day charge. I asked why, and they
said it was because I used a pre-paid card. This was perplexing because I never
use a pre-paid card. I use a credit card. When I explained that I used my
credit card and they realized their mistake, they changed stories. A man
returned to the phone and explained that the $16.95 a day charge is either for
anyone using a pre-paid card or for some type of insurance coverage. I had
full-coverage insurance and was never asked about wanting insurance coverage,
yet they decided on their own to tack on that charge.
I have already notified my credit card company and directed them to stop payment. I
also will be filing a compliant with the usacomplaints.com,
and the state attorney generals office in AZ.
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