Post: #1

I'm in a bit of a bind and not sure what to do. Has anyone ever kept a rental car longer than they originally booked it for?

By longer I mean weeks. I originally picked up a car at Enterprise almost 3 weeks ago. I booked it for a week, but have kept it much longer thinking I'll just bring it back when I'm ready and pay the extra weeks at the rate I booked it at ($200/week).

I was thinking about dropping it off at a different location up here so I call to see how much extra that would be and they say the whole thing will cost about $3,800!!!

Of course I flipped out on the fucking faggot who was telling me this, and he hung up. He was a National rep and not a rep at an actual location.

I've tried calling the actual airport location but they aren't picking up.

What the fuck do I do? The douchebag said that rates change all the time and since I'm calling in on a holiday week that the rates are going to be high, so I'm thinking I should bring the car back late next week after the holidays to the Newark airport.

I'm also thinking about canceling the credit card I reserved the car on so they won't be able to just charge whatever they want. There's a hold on it though by Enterprise so I don't know if I can do that.

These bastards got my hamster spinning overtime. I see now it was stupid of me to assume I could just keep the car longer without calling in to modify the reservation.

Anyone ever have to deal with this? Any advice?

Post: #2

Read the fine print on the back of the rental agreement first before talking to anyone.

Then just call and see what they say. Better yet, walk into an Enterprise office.

I had an Enterprise car for two months last year, I just called and extended the term, there was no hassle or price increase.

You can probably get them to keep the same rate, but remember that car renters might get nervous if they don't hear from you past the term of rental. It's their car.

Post: #3

Everything is negotiable. They want the car back. Tell them you can't afford that price but you will be able to pay.... in full.

Post: #4

They have nutso fees for returning the car outside of X number of miles from where it was rented. Any way you can drive it there then take a bus back or something?

That said you should call the national number and try to negotiate an extension or something. Cancelling the card won't stop an outstanding charge anyway.

Post: #5

$3800, daaaaaaum. You could have bought a hoopty and drove it around for $1000. Was it a really nice car?

How long before they report it stolen? Just calll and try to work something out. Ignoring it wont make it go away.

Post: #6

(11-26-2014 06:19 PM)dark_g Wrote:  $3800, daaaaaaum. You could have bought a hoopty and drove it around for $1000. Was it a really nice car?

How long before they report it stolen? Just calll and try to work something out. Ignoring it wont make it go away.

I doubt they will report it stolen since they have his credit card information, but his best bet it to just return it as soon as possible and try to work something out.

Onto:
Has Enterprise been calling you regularly? A few months ago, when I was between cars and used Enterprise for two days, I think Enterprise called me both days. Enterprise used to be the only rental car company who would rent be a car, because for years, I had a real driver's license which had an invalid number. When anyone, including the police, tried to run my license, they would come up with someone else's name and address.

Post: #7

(11-26-2014 06:32 PM)Merenguero Wrote:  

(11-26-2014 06:19 PM)dark_g Wrote:  $3800, daaaaaaum. You could have bought a hoopty and drove it around for $1000. Was it a really nice car?

How long before they report it stolen? Just calll and try to work something out. Ignoring it wont make it go away.

I doubt they will report it stolen since they have his credit card information, but his best bet it to just return it as soon as possible and try to work something out.

Onto:
Has Enterprise been calling you regularly? A few months ago, when I was between cars and used Enterprise for two days, I think Enterprise called me both days. Enterprise used to be the only rental car company who would rent be a car, because for years, I had a real driver's license which had an invalid number. When anyone, including the police, tried to run my license, they would come up with someone else's name and address.

They haven't been calling me, but I didn't have a number to give them at the time. Not sure if I gave them my parents number or not.

They have my email address though so I was assuming they would send me a note. I've been trying to call the actual counter but the line is always busy.

I was going to turn the car in today here and called a local branch but they said they couldn't modify my contract because they are in a different "group". The branches are in separate "groups" I guess.

I'll try calling after Thanksgiving. I just found out I have a job interview next week so I'll drop it off in and then fight the charges if they are too obscene.

I don't rent cars often and I just figured if I have a weekly rate of $200 that I could just keep that rate going for as long as I needed the car. No big deal.

I understood there would be a drop-off fee involved if it's going to another state, and it was about $250 when I checked for that online, but the $3,000 I was quoted was excessive and brought out much anger in me. Combine that with the rep being an ass and giving me that kind of queen attitude, I just lost it on the phone.

I really appreciate the responses. You're all right, I just have to plow through this and try to work something out with them.

It would have been much better if I rented for a month and then brought it back early. This way I would've locked in a lower rate and got pro-rated credit for the days/weeks I didn't use it. This is how it's been in the past with them, so I thought it worked like that when renting for less time and keeping longer. It seems to be not the case. Will keep the thread updated on the results.

Post: #8

This is turning into a one-way car rental, which generally has a much higher rate than a typical return.

There are coupon codes that can be applied to a car rental to make a one-way affordable, but the rates are always north of the $200/week mentioned.

Enterprise isn't charging you a $3000 fee, they are changing the rental from a $200/week agreement to a $1000/week agreement, which is actually pretty normal (although I'd never pay it).

Even returning it to Manhattan will have a higher rate probably, although sometimes nearby locations (ex. FLL/MIA) have cheap drop-off rates.

I'd return it to EWR if you can and just use it as a learning experience. Not sure if anything can be done about it now.

Post: #9

Respectfully Onto, it shouldn't be a surprise that a rental car company will charge you exorbitantly for keeping a car way beyond the rental term you agreed to (contractually). These companies are notorious for gouging you at every turn.

Now, to get through this, you need to cool down, and not flip out on the rental car co's staff. That will get you nowhere except maybe making that 3800$ irrevocable.

I would play dumb, which is actually the case, that you misunderstood the timeframe (due to the pages of illegible fine print or poor instructions for their clerk, or both of these things), and you will gladly pay for the car at the rate you originally expected (per week) + an extra week penalty for the innocent mistake.

When you return the car, ask the speak with the manager and initiate that process.

Post: #10

http://consumerist.com/2007/03/13/9-conf...-salesman/

Post: #11

What's up dude? Sorry about your situation. I know it sucks. But hey, just real quick, I'm not 100% certain that your rate of $200 per week means that you can keep the car and pay that rate every week. Usually the rate you have goes by dates in your contract. I'm sure you've already called and talked to them about this but if you haven't you might want to. I had buddy that kept a rental from Enterprise an extra day and the charge was $200 for that additional day on $300 per week contract. Plus rentals go up around the holidays.

Post: #12

Ask to speak with a manager, do not flip out. Be very polite but do not back down from your argument that it should stay at $200/wk.

Post: #13

Just take it back to Newark and you shouldn't have to pay any extra fees.
Good luck trying not to pay one way fees or drop off fees.
Hiring cars can be a tricky story, it can take a while to understand how and when to get a good deal, what kind of insurance to get and so on.

Post: #14

I would rent a priest outfit, walk in, explain the difficulty of your situation, and then hope the manager didn't go to catholic school growing up. Gotta be cheaper than 3800.

Post: #15

https://www.nr.edu/business/pdf/faqenter...120706.pdf

What is the rental time period?
Daily Rentals: Daily rentals are based on a 24-hour period. If the car is returned after the 24-hour period, but within the 25th hour, no additional charge shall be assessed. Cars returned after the grace period will be assessed an additional charge.
Weekly Rentals: Weekly rentals are based on seven consecutive 24-hour time periods.
Weekend Rentals: Weekend rentals are based on three consecutive 24-hour time periods that begin on Friday and end on Monday. The end time will be exactly 72 hours after the starting time on Friday.

I could not find the actual contract online. I assume you have a copy.
Your opening could be if they do not define this "additional charge."

If it is not specifically and clearly defined in your contract then perhaps you could say that it is reasonable to assume that the "additional charge" incurred would be equivalent to a "Weekly Rental" as defined in their own contract.

I would carefully read the contract and look for any kind of language that might limit the "additional charge."

Also, it sounds like the Enterprise local managers and sales staff have a good deal of flexibility in adjusting (lowering) these fees.

Post: #16

So I returned the car back to where I rented it from. As soon as I pulled up, the guy starts checking it over, asks how the rental was and just hands me my receipt.

Less than $800. I was very happy they only charged me the original weekly rate. There was no discussion about how I kept it longer, nothing. In and out, bam! And I didn't rent a priest outfit!

Thanks everyone for the advice and lesson learned on my part.

Post: #17

Wow. Congrats. I was waiting for an update. I honestly thought they would have made you pay a lot more.

A lesson learned (for all of us).

Post: #18

Well done! Congrats Onto.

Glad you reported back to let us know.

Post: #19

I'll put in a plug for Enterprise - they are pretty good in my experience.