My name is Kevin Gage, and I sought out the services of Car Rental 8 on 05/17 to secure a rental car. On the phone, the gentleman I spoke with did the processing of all of my requests, in which I notified him that I was under 25, had a debit card, and was a local renter. He told me that because I was under 25, but over 21, that I would incur a fee of $140.00usd, because I was using a debit card, there would be a deposit of $350.00usd, and that being a local wouldn't pose an issue. He was very quick to obtain my Visa/debit card information, and he processed a payment of $154.00usd for the services from the website.
I took a cab from my apartment to the airport rental facility and paid the $20.00usd fare. I walked up to Fox Rental Car's station desk, and was told that the deposit wasn't in fact $350.00usd, but $400.00usd, that my credit would be run, and that I wouldn't be able to rent a car. I begged and pleaded with Fox Rental Car, asking if I could pay the additional $50.00 the following day because my mom was unavailable (the rental was set to be picked up at 10:00pm) and sleeping, and because of what I was informed by Car Rental 8, that I had what I was told was necessary for the rental. I said they could run my credit, offered to pay them in cash, etc... They then preceded to tell me that my debit card wouldn't be accepted at all. Accepting that I wouldn't be able to get a rental, I called a cab to again pick me up, and bring me back home costing an additional $20.00usd in which I shouldn't have had to of paid.
When arriving home, I called the other major companies to see if I could transfer my reservation. Each of the 7 companies I called including FOX, PAYLESS, HERTZ, ENTERPRISE, ALAMO, ADVANTAGE, AND AVIS all told me that I would be paying even more than $400.00usd in deposit, and have to jump through hoops of fire suspended a thousand feet with no parachute, or trampoline and live in order to rent a car. I then tried calling the Car Rental 8 company to find that they were closed, and wrote them an email requesting a refund because they failed to provide me with the service that I had paid them for, and that was promised by the associate on the phone. I got a return email from Jim, stating,
Hi Kevin,
Sorry to hear that their policy changed to $400.00 instead of $350.00 they had. Debit cards policy with suppliers are harder than regular credit card polices, that is why we put Debit cards are not accepted on your voucher. Although they will accept debit cards but the policy differs if you are local vs. Flying in. There are a few options I can assist you with, I can change suppliers, or change the date for today back to Fox and re-send the voucher to you, of course you will still need to qualify under the suppliers policies. Or save this booking for a future rental. Please advise.
I had confirmed with Fox Rental Car that the policy for the $400.00 deposit was in fact their policy for the last 3 years, and none of this was shared with me. I didn't have the ability to access the web page due to restrictions of certificate verification on my cell phone, so I called the number provided to me, and the representative who is obligated to inform me that debit cards are subject to not being refundable, etc, when being notified that I only have such card, didn't relay the information. I asked if a major credit card from a third party, would be accepted if the card holder faxed over a copy of her license, the credit card, and signed an addendum agreeing that she would pay for the funds of the rental... The representative said only if the card holder was available to sign the contract in person. So, I covered all of my grounds, and they are failing to refund me of the funds they practically stole from me.
BEWARE of this company. Don't let them screw you over.
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