I rented a car in Ithaca NY (14850) National car rental office for two days because I wanted to drive to Niagara Fall the second day. When I picked up my car, all looks OK, however, when I just drove a few blocks, a signal (low pressure) appeared on the front pannel. I didn't know its meaning because different car has different signals.
The next morning, when I was ready for Niagara Fall, I found the left front tire was empty. I then realize something was wrong with the car. Then I drove very slowly to rental office and report this problem. Their mechnician charge air into the tire and told me it was in good condition. However, when I drove back to pick up my friends, the tire went lower again. I had to drove back to the office. This time, their mechnician asked me to fix it in a car repairing factory. I drove there. When they saw the car was from National Car rental, they refuse to fix it and told me the tire is in good condition. Thus I drove back to the rental office again to confirm I could drive this car on road. Their mechnician told me it was OK. I picked up my friends again and drove to the high way, however, during half way, problem came again. Low pressure signal appeared again. Then I drove off the highway and returned to the rental office. This time, the mechnician asked me to fix it in another car repairing factory, which is one of the best and most expensive one in Ithaca. I asked him if the expense will be reimbursed. He was quite sure and promised me all expense will be reimbursed. Then I drove it to the factory. The mechnician there told me there was a nail found in the tire and the tire could not be used again due to safety reasons. It was an old tire. Then I paid $109 for changing the tire. The tire was OK during all the way go and back, more than 300 miles.
Due to the poor tire from their car, I waste more than 3 hours in the morning! That seriously ruined my travel plan. Thus, I had to drive in heavy rain. I had to drive back very late in the night. Due to the tired driving and low temporature during the night, I caught a serious cold and got high fever when returned.
When I came back and return the car. They even don't check it. I was surprised for that. This is the reason why I pickup a car with poor tire. Their laziness and careless transfer the latent risk to the next customer!!! I asked for my reimbursement. HOWEVER, to my surprise, they refused. On the first two days, they asked me to wait for their call. But they just cheat me! They never call me back. I went there four times in three days and each time, they just told me "return and wait for my call". On the third day, They could not find some excuse for it then, told me the tire was broken by me! How comes?! They told me there was 150 miles record before the repairing, but did they know I keep driving among the rental office, different car repairing factories, friends' homes and high ways for more than 3 hours! It was their mechnician asked me to drive with that tire! And it was also their mechnician asked me to fix the tire and all expense will be reimbursed! They ate their word! Fianlly, they gave me a phone number of their "manager" Andy at Syracuse National Car Rental office. He answered my call at first and told me he would call me back befire the end of the day. I thought their manager could be honest and respect customer. HOWEVER, he didn't call me back. I tried to call him again, this time, he didn't answer my call anymore!!! Then I understand, that is the way they treat the customers! They are liars! They don't know how to respect people! They don't work carefully! They don't check the car returned carefully. When problem really comes, they are unable to charge the previous customer, then find the next customer to be the scapegoat!
Next time, when you want to rent a car, think carefully! If you are lucky enough to pick up a good car, you are OK. If you are unlucky, you will pay money for their previous customer or their employees' laziness and careless. You are the scapegoat!
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