Failing Enterprise Fan Mail #51-75

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(new letters get added at the top)

It's easy to send us fan mail:  just send an e-mail to comments2 ((at)) failingenterprise ((dot)) com.

That was the most awesome website ever.  I used to work for Thrifty Car Rental and it was the same song and dance there.  (Hence why I don't work there anymore and will NEVER, if I can possibly help it rent a car.)  I do hope you won't blame the counter agents, though, because it isn't their fault that management forces them to walk cars that are SUPPOSED to be held in reservations.  And then, the management staff won't take care of the disgruntled customer they created, so the counter agent is stuck trying to make up lame excuses.  I've been at work at Thrifty on a night where we started the day 40 cars short (due to overbooking by our management staff) and the manager told us if we didn't get 10 walk-ups each, we were fired.  I closed that night, roughly 65 cars short, and had to call the airport police down to my counter for disorderly customers whom I agreed with 100%.  I am sorry that you have had such bad experiences. I understand completely.

Melody

I am a former employee with ERAC.

I don't want to think about all the terrible things that happened to me while I was with the company.  The way they managed to take advantage of my hard work and my naive mentality in believing in the founding values and believing that everyone was on the same page.... the favoritism they show to some people for things completely unrelated to their actual job capabilities... how quickly they are to protect a favorite person despite the fact that this person actions were completely negligent and inconsistent and a liability to the company.  How they managed to interfere with my personal life but do it in a way that they never confronted me about it directly in a work situation so I had no recourse against their inappropriate actions through work because what I knew was from personal conversations and information.

I once believed I had a career with this company.  But once I realized what they did to people, and they realized I knew what they were trying to do to me, that ended my promotability within the company.

There is a reason why they hire people right out of college.  These people don't know or understand their worth. Most are simply glad to have a job and a place to work.  Most who succeed in the company realize that they would not be as successful anywhere else and the company lets them think less of themselves so these people really do feel they have nowhere else to go.  Where else can you keep your job after having a third DUI as an Area Manager who is known for chasing after females in the company and still be lauded as a model employee to everyone by your supervisors who are perfectly aware of your record but have only tried to cover it up for you so they can keep you around because they know you are their monkey and will do anything for them?

This company is filled with so many corrupt people these people are always on edge wondering what they might have done wrong.  But these are the perfect people for a company to keep because they will do whatever it takes to keep their high paying jobs.

Not everyone is corrupt.  But the others are too happy to make so much money they are willing to overlook what everyone else does because they know they won't do as well anywhere else.

I am a former Assistant Manager w/ Enterprise- I quit about 8 months ago to "get my life back". I enjoy your site and make it point to check it weekly for updates. It's great to know that the things I experienced at Enterprise didn't just happen to me.

What I'd really like to point out to future/past/present Enterprise customers is that as an employee in a rental branch, you do not have the control to fix the things you, the customer, is upset about. The employee is only doing what upper management considers their "job". Enterprise puts their employees in a compromising situation every day because of the ways in which they choose to conduct business. In other words, the employee that you've just yelled at has been yelled at for the same thing at least five times that day and will come in the next day to hear it all over again. Next time you are at an Enterprise branch and you have the urge to scream (understandable, we know), take pity on the underpaid employee behind the counter. Trust me, it's the last place on earth they want to be.

In closing, the site is a great informative site that I wish I had had the luxury of reading BEFORE I signed up to work for them.

Keep it coming Admin!!

Still bitter and exhausted in North Carolina

Thanks for posting the ERAC customer service number on your site.

Scott Miller Kent, WA

Dear Failing Enterprise,

Dear Failing Enterprise, What a relief to discover your website! After 10 days of dealing with the inconsistent (or nonexistent) answers from several Enterprise employees, I was about to lose my mind or my composure! Yes, I, too have dealt with employees who do not directly answer questions or concerns, nonexistent customer service, and the withholding of information that seems to characterize dealings with this company. Unfortunately, I am stuck with the rental car until my car is repaired. When I finally turn in the car, I will gleefully announce my decision to NEVER rent from them and will let the employees know that, as a customer, I was SO dissatisfied with their service that I joined the thousands of people who have posted on this site. Unlike one of the Enterprise employees I dealt with, I will actually PROVIDE information by giving them the name of this site.

Thank you again. While the site does not solve my current issues with Enterprise, it is very nice to know that I am not alone in my frustration with this company.

SCW-Houston, TX

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I am fighting with Enterprise right now. I made my reservation for the Memorial Day weekend a month in advance. First they misquoted the rate over the phone, then they didn't have my vehicle, nor did any other Enterprise in the area. Lastly, being that they were closed on the Monday of Memorial Day weekend, they charged me for that Tuesday, even though I returned it Monday night. UUUGHHHH!

D.D.,  New York City

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I can sympathize with the Anonymous writer of letter #63. I too have divorced an ERAC manager. He worked long hours, hated his General Manager and was not appropriately compensated for his efforts. This job turned him into a hateful and angry person. I met him while working for ERAC. (Two mistakes at the same time!) It was the most horrible career move I have ever made! I agree with all of the comments from other former employees who have posted a message on this site! I worked ridiculous hours (7:30am-6:30pm), with no breaks and MAYBE time to scarf down some lunch. I had to wash cars in skirts and business suits while trying to maintain a "professional" appearance. Selling CDW was a joke...your branch manager wants you to sell it, but trust me when I say, the loss control manager DOESN'T! ERAC is the biggest boys club there is...limited opportunities for women should be their motto!

I congratulate you on this site. I hope that all of the information here helps to convince people not to rent from them and obviously not to work for them!

S.S.

Dear Failing Enterprise,

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are to be praised for your website. I work for Enterprise, but I am at the LOWEST end of the totem pole. I am a driver / car prep. I see and clean the cars between customers, and also do deliveries and pick customers up from their home, body shop, or wherever.

I will not repeat all the things you have stated on your website, but I will say it is ALL TRUE. I actually see a LOT from what I do... I get to watch the bull the managers hand out day in and day out. I probably worked there about two weeks when I realized the "reservation" thing does not exist in the true form of the word with Enterprise.

I often pick up the new vehicles Enterprises purchases for the branches, and well over half of them are huge SUVs and trucks. Makes NO sense in this day of high gas prices, just another example of Enterprise's illogical thinking.

Like I said, there is no need in me repeating all you already know, so I will put in a few more things you may not know about.

Enterprise does not care a s..t about the drivers and car preps, without whom their business would suffer greatly. As an example, we have NO weather protection outside where we are expected to clean cars. That means we are out there in pouring rain trying to vacuum out a car and WASH it. Same goes for being under the scorching sun and freezing cold. It is no wonder many important points of car care get overlooked. Some branches do have a protective cover to work under, but not all. There is often only one person trying to clean and take care of a line of cars lined up 10 deep, with each manager popping their head out the door wanting a different car NOW.

We often point out problems with the cars to managers, i.e. cracked windshields, bad tires, engine service lights on, improper sounds, etc, etc. Usually it falls of deaf ears. If they need to rent the car... it gets rented, regardless of the problems or safety concerns.

Cars are constantly brought back empty, even if they went out with gas. The contract, signed by the customer, states a matching gas policy, but where I work it is seldom enforced. The managers don't want to force the morons who brings cars back on empty to pay for the gas, because the customer might not say they were "completely satisfied" when then get a call from Enterprise. You see, part of the managers' pay is based on an idiotic ESQI rating. This is a customer satisfaction rating. If it gets too low, the managers lose pay... so .... all manner of crap is allowed to let happen to keep the customer "completely satisfied". In all fairness, this policy does make the managers a bit crazy too. It is just a STUPID way to run a company. Customers can walk all over the local branch managers and get away with it.

However, Enterprise has a $15 limit on the amount of gas that can be put into a vehicle at one time.... and we are told to not even put in that much. A few dollars of gas in a big truck or SUV hardly moves the needle. So... yes, getting a vehicle with any decent amount of gas in it is RARE.

Many customers bring cars back due to horrid smoke smell. The cars are supposed to be non-smoking areas, but it is not enforced, again, because the managers are afraid to say anything to a customer that might not make them happy.

Many people TRASH the inside of the cars, to the point that the interior can never be correct again. I see this everyday, but Enterprise does nothing about this. It is just foisted onto the car preps, and then the decent customers have to endure a filthy, stained interior. The managers COULD help stop the abuse, but again, it would not make the customer happy to make them pay a fee for a damaged interior.

Enterprise spends HUGE amounts of money on parties for their managers, with drinking included, (really makes sense a rental car company encouraging drinking like it does).

They recently rented out DISNEY WORLD for a few hours for their managers, but will not spend the money to put up some weather protection for their car preps... who are paid VERY low wages, no benefits, and no overtime.

The entire car prep / service / cleaning operation is given practically no thought or consideration in the branch operation. It is a wonder to me Enterprise is not sued 10 times a day considering all the crap I see go out. *Some* very, very busy, large branches have automatic car washes, but *most* branches consist of one of two people with a bucket and hose trying to "maintain" a hundred or more vehicles.

"Rates" are a JOKE. The managers will do whatever they have to do to "make the deal" and a few bucks. And yes, you are exactly correct, the "corporate rate" is often higher than what you can get by just walking in and dealing with the "slick willy" behind the counter.

Here is a hint... the best time to "get a deal" at Enterprise is when you see a lot full of vehicles. The managers' pay is also based on how much they rent, so if there are lots of vehicles sitting on the lot, you can just about name your own price because they will be desperate.

I am 51 years of age and now only work two days a week, mainly because I cannot stand to be there any more than that. I do it just part time for extra pocket money. I tell all the new manager trainees that come in to think long and hard if they want to make a career with Enterprise. Most of them go ahead and learn the silly, crook games and stay because they CAN make big money... and unfortunately, that seems to be the name of the game in today's world. I have seen two new managers quit, finally having enough of Enterprise's "business methods" and having to kiss ass to moron customers, and I respect them greatly for it.

From where I am in the operation, I just observe the place and wonder a dozen times a day how this company can keep going and make the money it does.

I really hope your site will have some impact on Enterprise.... and yes, I believe when the company was originally begun, it was never intended to be what it is today. I think Andy Taylor just sees the bottom line dollar figure and really does not KNOW what is really going on... or at least... I hope that is the reason.

Thanks for your time and the site.

Anonymous

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I worked for this rotten company for nine long months, beginning in North Toronto in late 2002 and then making my way east towards Central Ontario, ending mercilessly in mid-2003. It was the absolute worst career move I had ever made and, without coincidence, was the most thankless, unsatisfying job I've ever had to endure.

I've also never met so many "bleeding green" geeks in my entire life, who thought they had it made (while living in their parents basement no less) working 65-70 hours a week @ $9.65/hour. Sweet deal!! By my first lunch hour I was already looking for new employment, wondering how I had made such a terrible decision and at the same time realizing what a farce Enterprise truly was.

An anti-Enterprise website does not surprise me, nor does the amount of negative comments which flow into it everyday. If my brief story saves just one college grad from working for this jerkoff company than part of my life's work is complete.

MJB - the Borough.

Dear Failing Enterprise,

It was nice to find out that I was not alone. Thanks for commenting on my blog so I could find out more about the torment that others have suffered from ERAC. Feel free to use my horror story here, link to it, or I'll do it myself if I must.

I think that my matter has been settled. I had to refer them to the deep pockets at Viacom in order to get them off of my backside, and the Viacom office has suggested that they have paid the bill. Thankfully, I was able to keep my wits about me and track down the people who really were responsible for the damage, plead my case with them and persuade them to take responsibility. Still, I will *never* rent from them again!

Keep up the fight!

M. Flores

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I consider myself one of the lucky ones to have left the "renting nightmare" and have now got a real job with decent hours, pay, conditions, benefits and most of all I now have a life (yes, people, one after 6pm!) .

I would like to say thank you to your website and continue to spread the word.  We need to stop the brain washing and free all those desperate graduates from a life of misery.

Thank you again.

SC- UK

Dear Failing Enterprise,

This site was the most accurate portrayal of Enterprise that I have ever seen.  I am a former Assistant Manager for Enterprise, and now work for Avis.  Enterprise is a company that says they care deeply about their customers but clearly can't stand them!  My husband and I both worked for Enterprise and realized what a joke it was.  If you want to feel like you work in a slave shop, take a job with them.  I can't believe I stayed in rental but realized that not all rental car companies are as ridiculous as them.

J.B.

Dear Failing Enterprise,

It's just like ERAC to try and bully somebody who doesn't see things like they want you to!  They have pockets deep enough to fend off most anybody who seeks to reveal the truth such as you have.  Please don't give up the fight.  We all appreciate how much effort you've put towards exposing this travesty they call a job.

Thanks,

Mt Mountain Man

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I completely agree with your website. I have recently filed for divorce from an ERAC employee. My husband was no husband at all. He was constantly called to work at inconvenient times, and when he wasn't at work, he was out getting drunk with all of the "frat boys" from work. He started at one location and then transferred to the Columbus OH airport. This made things worse because they are open longer hours. He often had guys from work calling at 2 in the morning to go get drunk with them before they had to be back at work 5 hours later. I never saw him, and when I did, he complained about not getting to spend enough time with people from work. Now tell me how anyone can stand to work 70+ hours a week with the same people, and then go get drunk with them every night. The pay also sucked considerably, meaning I had to support the family for the most part. He left the airport shortly after a fellow employee wrecked two cars, and they pretended not to notice the second wreck. My husband had been in one accident, and they threatened to fire him. ERAC has been known to ruin many relationships and marriages, and I can say that from experience. ERAC overlooks relationships that go on in the workplace, and often even encourage them. So as for some advise, don't rent from ERAC, and don't marry someone who works there!

Signed

Anonymous

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I am a corporate sales representative for a National Car Rental franchise, based in Northern Ontario, Canada. We have a lot of the issues with ERAC concerning fueling and availability of the reserved classification of vehicle, i.e. customer reserves a compact car, is offered a Dodge Ram 4x4 truck. Another customer reserved a Dodge Ram and was offered a Cavalier. I enjoyed your site immensely. I hope that more Canadians become aware of your site and add their comments to your site.

Judy

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I am a big fan of what you have done and as you can see by the success of your site others feel the same way.

D.L.

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I love your site.  I'm glad there's someone out there like you who is willing to fight against unethical corporate companies.

M.D.

Dear Failing Enterprise,

Thanks!  Keep up the good work.

K. C. Lawson

Dear Failing Enterprise,

Thank you for making this website & taking the time to post contact numbers. I've recently have had a minor but unfortunate experience with a local branch in my area. Their service was unacceptable and I was extremely dissatisfied with the regional customer service. When I called the "regional" office to file a complaint they were deceitful and there was no one in the whole "regional" office for me to talk to just voicemail. I felt like I was given the run around from a company that states and I'll quote: "Customer service is our way of life". I hope something will be done through your effort and the effort of others.

Thank you,

A displeased enterprise customer

Dear Failing Enterprise,

Everything posted to this site (from employees past & present, customers, and other ERAC business associates) is 100% true.

I took a position as an MT in 1992 when I was fresh out of college. The economy at the time was horrible, and I'd just lost my father. The last thing I wanted was to move home and work for Enterprise, but that was my only option at the time.

For nine arduous months, I worked no fewer than 65 hours per week (for $19K per year), was sexually harassed by our Area Manager, learned the fine art of slamming customers credit cards without their express consent if they were a claimant who'd opted for DW and were in a long-term rental, and regularly had to wash cars while dressed to the nines in the hot Sacramento sun because our crackhead car-washers were always quitting.

My DW sale percentage was never higher than 20%, and I am proud of that. Why would I trick customers into buying something they didn't want? I hated the upsell. If they reserved the $9.99 weekend special & all we had were Grand Ams, I didn't have the audacity to try for more money. There were people in my office who frequently would high-five each other when they'd come inside after upselling & getting the DW all the while, other customers witnessed this.

One of my favorite ERAC "real life MBA" lessons is what they refer to as "marketing". Put simply, their idea of marketing is dropping off donuts at body shops, auto dealers service drives, and insurance agents offices. I hardly believe that students at Wharton take a special class in affixing green 'E' stickers to donut boxes, then driving them around the region.

Since most ERAC employees are relatively bright (albeit disillusioned), outgoing, and attractive, we were frequently the victims of multi-level marketers recruiting new blood. "You seem like a real go-getter. Why don't you listen to this tape and let me know what you think when I bring the car back. And remember, don't let anyone steal your dream!" If I had a dollar for every Amway sales pitch I heard in that nine months, I'd easily double my (however paltry) ERAC salary.

I'm amazed that ERAC has not had any serious lawsuits or crime due to having the comely young female employees pick up customers from random locations. When a customer calls, whoever is available goes out on the pickup. There is no record in the office of where that employee is going. Some of the locations I went (e.g. private homes) were frightful and more than 30 minutes from the office. And, this was also in the days before cell phones were as prevalent as they are now.

There were some upsides to the job. Namely, my best friends to this day are former coworkers from more than a decade ago. My ERAC experience was also the suckiest job I've ever had, so the balance of my career has been successful and enjoyable.

Becky

Sacramento, CA

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I just wanted to take a moment and say thanks for your site. I quit ERAC about 3 months ago and it has been the best move of my life. I feel sorry for all of the customers who have had horrible experiences with the company. I'm sure that it is obvious from the site that ERAC employees are treated horribly by the company, which sometimes gets reflected to customers. Not only was it degrading to be treated so poorly by the company, but it was also draining to have "lie" directly into the face of an honest consumer. I am glad that many companies out there realize how hard ERAC employees work and are actually recruiting them to work in their company.

Thanks for your site!

MKP

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I am a current worker for Enterprise and this site is a real winner. It is 100 percent accurate. I figure in my kudos letter to you I could outline a few things that go on that may have been untouched.

1. Enterprise could give a shit less about customers because they have control. They are in the replacement business more than anything else. This means that when you get your "complimentary rental" from the dealership, you are at Enterprise's disposal. You are a lock to be put into a gas guzzling SUV despite the fact you have a 40 mile commute or into a little Chevy Aveo when you are carrying two car seats. Its all about exploiting that small amount of money you may be willing to pay for comfort and convenience. Comfort and Convenience at Enterprise comes at a cost, it's not in the service agreement with the dealerships.

2. The dehumanizing treatment of car preps. These guys and gals do a ton of work and get treated like they are worthless. They too are deceived into thinking they will be only washing cars only to find they have signed up to be janitor, driver, and any other role not wanted by the BM.

3. Enterprise is all about the pyramid scheme. The car preps and MTs do all the work with some guidance from an brainwashed Assistant Manager to fill the pockets of the Area Manager VPs, and the Taylors. The money made by a branch in comparison to the pay of the MT and Car Preps is disgraceful.

4. If you do not sell waiver, you will disappear off the ERAC planet and will be forced to quit or move to other avenues.

Enterprise is a very profitable company that looks to cut costs at all costs. Hot water?? Forget it. Hmm, let's get internet so we could better service our clients with email directions?? Too much. Having employees with shifts as opposed to opening and closing?? Too much work for the managers to do, they have to brainwash....I mean market to accounts. The gas issue has already been touched on by numerous people here.

If you want to hurt Enterprise, go to the source. Hit the auto dealerships in your area and tell them your stories. Better yet, hit your insurance company as well. Those are the times where you will not have a choice as opposed to renting on business or pleasure. If individuals interested in buying a car state that if they use Enterprise with the service department, they wont buy, and enough prospects do so, there will be no contract which means no fleet/cars to rent. You all have the power to change the culture of deception in ERAC, it's up to you to act.

Thanks again for giving me a release.

Disenfranchised Employee

Dear Failing Enterprise,

Hey there, now that I am two jobs removed from erac I am excited to be able add a graphic link to your site!  Keep up the great work.

Chad Vander Veen

Check out my website www.thewrongblog.com

Dear Failing Enterprise,

I had a blast reading your site today; very fun and informative.

M.S.

Dear Failing Enterprise,

Sir, When I saw your website, I laughed too too hard and almost lost bladder control!

I had often thought of a website for the Enterprise Alumni Association. Not only is Enterprise the largest employer of new college graduates, they are also the largest ex-employer of new college graduates too. It would be like the world’s largest fraternity!!

R.V.

More on Enterprise car rental at the Failing Enterprise home page.