My Interview with Enterprise Rent-A-Car (and other hassles)

[Enterprise Reject]

My Interview with Enterprise Rent-A-Car (and other hassles)

This interesting web site caught my eye. From my experience, a lot of it is true. Let me share with others my experience with Enterprise from potential employee to customer, and a few other angles.

I was nearing college graduation in the late 1990s and was itching for a job. My college, along with most others hosted job fairs and Enterprise was there along with IBM and even the CIA. I did an initial interview with Enterprise on campus and thought the opportunity sounded great—an entrepreneurial-type business based on a “roll your sleeves up” kind of hard work and customer service. If you proved yourself, you could manage your own branch.

I “passed” the first interview and then went to interview with a branch manager near SeaTac Airport, close to Seattle. I was a “bright-eyed, bushy-tailed” soon to be college graduate. I was in the reserve component of the military, clean cut and dressed in a fairly nice suit. I looked good, and was a good fit for this company, or so I believed.

I arrived on-site for the second interview. The location seemed in one of the more downtrodden areas of town, but no big deal. After introducing myself to the person behind the counter I was instructed to have a seat right there and wait a bit. After a while, I was taken back to what I believed was the manager’s office and thus started my group style interview, three on one.

The main interview was done by the branch manager with two others sitting in for no apparent reason. The interview was fairly garden variety, with “softball” questions about my background and education. No big deal. Now, trust me that I am not exaggerating or embellishing in any way. I have no motive for that. And, although the interview was about ten years ago I remember clearly because it was so odd.

Branch Manager Question: So, if someone came into this office right now wanting to rent a car, and they didn’t need insurance, would you offer it to them anyway?

Me: No. No, I wouldn’t.

[Another round of softball questions about my background and aspirations.]

Branch Manager Question: A while ago you said you wouldn’t offer insurance to someone who didn’t need it. Do you stand by that answer?

[Me, pausing to think---Is this a trick question? Of course the answer is “No.” Do I tell him the answer I think he wants to hear? What if I change my mind in the interview? Then I look gutless, and besides, the answer is “No.”]

Me: No, I wouldn’t.

[A round of softball questions and exchanging of pleasantries as I leave the premises at the conclusion of the interview.]

Two weeks later? A nice “no thank you” letter from Enterprise. I guess I wasn’t the type candidate they were looking for. That line of questioning stands out in my mind so very much that I am sure my (correct) answer was the reason Enterprise rejected me. I’m better off not getting that job. I don’t like to screw over naïve little old ladies.

So, what prompts me to write this now? Well, first, I stumbled across this site and, two—I had a minor insurance claim recently involving Enterprise and a 2-day rental from them. Third, my career has taken me into the insurance field so I have a pretty good idea what’s covered and what’s not.

So, I have a fender bender—let’s have Enterprise “pick me up.” A man, maybe five years my junior promptly picks me up at the body shop. He has a very firm handshake (lets me know who is in charge) and then small talk on the way to the Enterprise branch a few miles away. Easy check in. Now, out to the vehicle to check the gas and damage (or lack thereof.)

What’s wrong first? Well, even though the accident wasn’t my fault the “other guy” had the same insurance company as me and I wanted to treat them fairly and save them a buck or two. I only needed a very basic commuter vehicle to get to and from the Park-and-Ride where I took the bus to work. My Honda Civic was damaged (“intermediate class”, I now know) but when I made the reservation I specifically reserved “economy” class. I was only going to have it two days, and why not save the insurance company some money and me some gas in a smaller vehicle?

But, the only vehicle I could take was this Chevrolet Cobalt, and the representative explained, was the vehicle class the insurance company approved and here it is (despite asking for a cheaper vehicle.) Honest mistake—maybe. And, in fairness was a nice, clean vehicle. No problems.

Now, out comes the clipboard and rental agreement and the inevitable up-sell.

Representative: Would you like the Collision Damage Waiver?

Me [semi-insurance guru]: No thank you.

Representative [with that “I just had an epiphany” look and mannerisms]: Hey! Since your vehicle is only in the shop for two days, it’s not much at all!

Me: No, I’ll accept responsibility. [and, is covered under my auto policy subject to deductible as a temporary replacement vehicle for a covered loss.]

Representative: Okay.

The other thing that bothered me, and I might be getting nit-picky here—is that I drove this vehicle only 24 miles when starting from a “full” tank. Just before I returned it, it was down to 7/8 of a tank. I know in my Civic I can drive it a good 20-40 miles on an honestly full tank before the gauge moves. So when I “filled it up” before returning it I put only one gallon in, assuming 24-25mpg. I didn’t wait for the gas thing to click off. Isn’t that stupid? I just don’t trust Enterprise. In fairness, it may have been the last renter trying to screw them over.

The Collision Damage Waiver seems grossly overpriced. Enterprise wanted to charge me $10/day for collision coverage! That’s way too much. I pay about $2/day for complete coverage on my Civic—and Enterprise wants $10/day just for collision? Folks, check with your credit card company or insurance agent to see if you have existing coverage elsewhere and forgo the CDW if possible. Don’t buy the “you’re responsible for the deductible” garbage. Of course you are. Just like you are when you drive your own vehicle every day, but don’t give it a second thought.

Bottom line: Enterprise encourages its representatives to sell unneeded and overpriced insurance, as evidenced by my interview and recent transaction with them. For shame!

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Enterprise Reject

My Interview with Enterprise Rent-A-Car (and other hassles)

This interesting web site caught my eye. From my experience, a lot of it is true. Let me share with others my experience with Enterprise from potential employee to customer, and a few other angles.

I was nearing college graduation in the late 1990s and was itching for a job. My college, along with most others hosted job fairs and Enterprise was there along with IBM and even the CIA. I did an initial interview with Enterprise on campus and thought the opportunity sounded great—an entrepreneurial-type business based on a “roll your sleeves up” kind of hard work and customer service. If you proved yourself, you could manage your own branch.

I “passed” the first interview and then went to interview with a branch manager near SeaTac Airport, close to Seattle. I was a “bright-eyed, bushy-tailed” soon to be college graduate. I was in the reserve component of the military, clean cut and dressed in a fairly nice suit. I looked good, and was a good fit for this company, or so I believed.

I arrived on-site for the second interview. The location seemed in one of the more downtrodden areas of town, but no big deal. After introducing myself to the person behind the counter I was instructed to have a seat right there and wait a bit. After a while, I was taken back to what I believed was the manager’s office and thus started my group style interview, three on one.

The main interview was done by the branch manager with two others sitting in for no apparent reason. The interview was fairly garden variety, with “softball” questions about my background and education. No big deal. Now, trust me that I am not exaggerating or embellishing in any way. I have no motive for that. And, although the interview was about ten years ago I remember clearly because it was so odd.

Branch Manager Question: So, if someone came into this office right now wanting to rent a car, and they didn’t need insurance, would you offer it to them anyway?

Me: No. No, I wouldn’t.

[Another round of softball questions about my background and aspirations.]

Branch Manager Question: A while ago you said you wouldn’t offer insurance to someone who didn’t need it. Do you stand by that answer?

[Me, pausing to think---Is this a trick question? Of course the answer is “No.” Do I tell him the answer I think he wants to hear? What if I change my mind in the interview? Then I look gutless, and besides, the answer is “No.”]

Me: No, I wouldn’t.

[A round of softball questions and exchanging of pleasantries as I leave the premises at the conclusion of the interview.]

Two weeks later? A nice “no thank you” letter from Enterprise. I guess I wasn’t the type candidate they were looking for. That line of questioning stands out in my mind so very much that I am sure my (correct) answer was the reason Enterprise rejected me. I’m better off not getting that job. I don’t like to screw over naïve little old ladies.

So, what prompts me to write this now? Well, first, I stumbled across this site and, two—I had a minor insurance claim recently involving Enterprise and a 2-day rental from them. Third, my career has taken me into the insurance field so I have a pretty good idea what’s covered and what’s not.

So, I have a fender bender—let’s have Enterprise “pick me up.” A man, maybe five years my junior promptly picks me up at the body shop. He has a very firm handshake (lets me know who is in charge) and then small talk on the way to the Enterprise branch a few miles away. Easy check in. Now, out to the vehicle to check the gas and damage (or lack thereof.)

What’s wrong first? Well, even though the accident wasn’t my fault the “other guy” had the same insurance company as me and I wanted to treat them fairly and save them a buck or two. I only needed a very basic commuter vehicle to get to and from the Park-and-Ride where I took the bus to work. My Honda Civic was damaged (“intermediate class”, I now know) but when I made the reservation I specifically reserved “economy” class. I was only going to have it two days, and why not save the insurance company some money and me some gas in a smaller vehicle?

But, the only vehicle I could take was this Chevrolet Cobalt, and the representative explained, was the vehicle class the insurance company approved and here it is (despite asking for a cheaper vehicle.) Honest mistake—maybe. And, in fairness was a nice, clean vehicle. No problems.

Now, out comes the clipboard and rental agreement and the inevitable up-sell.

Representative: Would you like the Collision Damage Waiver?

Me [semi-insurance guru]: No thank you.

Representative [with that “I just had an epiphany” look and mannerisms]: Hey! Since your vehicle is only in the shop for two days, it’s not much at all!

Me: No, I’ll accept responsibility. [and, is covered under my auto policy subject to deductible as a temporary replacement vehicle for a covered loss.]

Representative: Okay.

The other thing that bothered me, and I might be getting nit-picky here—is that I drove this vehicle only 24 miles when starting from a “full” tank. Just before I returned it, it was down to 7/8 of a tank. I know in my Civic I can drive it a good 20-40 miles on an honestly full tank before the gauge moves. So when I “filled it up” before returning it I put only one gallon in, assuming 24-25mpg. I didn’t wait for the gas thing to click off. Isn’t that stupid? I just don’t trust Enterprise. In fairness, it may have been the last renter trying to screw them over.

The Collision Damage Waiver seems grossly overpriced. Enterprise wanted to charge me $10/day for collision coverage! That’s way too much. I pay about $2/day for complete coverage on my Civic—and Enterprise wants $10/day just for collision? Folks, check with your credit card company or insurance agent to see if you have existing coverage elsewhere and forgo the CDW if possible. Don’t buy the “you’re responsible for the deductible” garbage. Of course you are. Just like you are when you drive your own vehicle every day, but don’t give it a second thought.

Bottom line: Enterprise encourages its representatives to sell unneeded and overpriced insurance, as evidenced by my interview and recent transaction with them. For shame!

This is a great post. I was with the company for 4 months before I found out how useless the damage waiver is. When I mentioned it my manager told me, "Look we aren't here to know what people's insurance coverage is, we are here to sell. People need to know what their coverage is shouldn't they? Right? I need you to tell me I am right so I know you understand?"

She wanted to claim some sort of ignorance but she knew full well that she was selling a scam.

[noeracforme]

I strongly agree as well that the damage waiver is useless, if you have full coverage with your insurance and you need the car for more thabn three days. However, I admit, I have taken the waiver when I decided to rent a luxury car for a day taking it to the city. I'd rather spend $10 instead of my deductible for some stupid scratch or ding

I hated that ERAC felt that every person who rented a car should get the damage waiver. There is a difference between being a good salesman or sticking it down their throat. I have never forced someone in taking the waiver, I explained what it gives you and I let the customer make the decision.

I never had to do a charge back or have to backdate a contract because they felt they were duped in taking it, unlike a lot of other employees (which we pended the contract until after the numbers came out.)

One of the main reasons I left is that my office didn't care that I did all of the bills, never lost a car, stayed late to audit contracts, always went to clean cars, wrote the most contracts months in a row...they were always concerned that my damage waiver was in the mid 30s. When you lose promotions because you couldn't maximize 10-12% of total income for the branch, they can take that damage waiver and stick up their ass.

[voice of truth]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

This is a great post. I was with the company for 4 months before I found out how useless the damage waiver is. When I mentioned it my manager told me, "Look we aren't here to know what people's insurance coverage is, we are here to sell. People need to know what their coverage is shouldn't they? Right? I need you to tell me I am right so I know you understand?"

She wanted to claim some sort of ignorance but she knew full well that she was selling a scam.

Correct! She is trying to mold into the philosophy that you must sell DW to everyone. DW benefits the branch by adding to the average daily rate. It turns an insurance I-car rental from $24.99/dy to $33.98/dy. You will eventually hear the managers say that DW is pure profit.

There are instances where DW can be beneficial to the customer, but those instances are far and few. I broke it down in another post.

http://www.failingenterprise.com/for...insurance.html

[voice of truth]

Originally Posted by noeracforme

One of the main reasons I left is that my office didn't care that I did all of the bills, never lost a car, stayed late to audit contracts, always went to clean cars, wrote the most contracts months in a row...they were always concerned that my damage waiver was in the mid 30s. When you lose promotions because you couldn't maximize 10-12% of total income for the branch, they can take that damage waiver and stick up their ass.

You among many others on this site who have been passed up on promotion even though you were a strong performer. But the skills you learn will will help you find a better job. it's the ONLY positive spin I can place on working for ERAC and that's it.

I was consistently top 3 seller in my branch every month, rarely dipped below the Mendoza line, even at the tough branches. I saw people moving past me that did not have the sales #'s I did. To their credit, they were great drinkers though.

[iluvEcars]

2 arguments for you

1- its a rental. not a honda, not a prius but a rental.. they dont guarantee what gas mileage you will get in it.... further more, you cant expect a POS 2006 chevy cobalt to get the same mileage a nice civic

2 - yes CDW is overpriced i think sometimes but its usually $10-15 less than hertz, budget, avis or anyone else and its a blanket coverage for any driver, with any driving record good or bad, any age, in any vehicle without deductible or hassle

your policy is specifically taylored to the risk you pose to your insurance company and carries a deductible... CDW isnt taylored to you and doesnt charge a deductible... it simply releases you from liability... also CDW losses are spread to the branch so it must cost enough to cover repairs when damages do occur






if i had my car in the shop for two weeks, no i wont get it, if im flying in to some strange city to be there for 3 days.. yeah, $40-50 is worth not have to mess with any potential troubles