Enterprise Horror Story, any one else seen this?

[EnterpriseProblems]

On Saturday,
12/10 I went to the enterprise rental facility at the
Ottawa Airport to collect a rental car which i had reserved through Expedia.
When I got there, i asked the man at the counter whether they had collision insurance and he offered to sell me some for $24 when my rate was $17 a day.
i decided to use my American Express, which has a collision waiver, if i rent with that card.
The rep took my card, tried to swipe it through their machine several times and could not get it to work.
He came back to me and asked i could use another card.
I asked him if he could not punch in the numbers himself and he said it was against company policy, even though i was right there and had already shown him by drivers license.
I went over, tried to swipe it myself and said there must by something he can do to allow me to use my Amex, and also told him in forceful terms (absolutely no swearing)
that i suspected he was trying to scam me into buying his expensive insurance.
At this point, something very strange happened.
The rep basically refused to complete the transaction and tried to get me to leave.
I promptly refused, and tried to get Enterprise corporate on the phone to get them to resolve this.
No one was available so i tried to get expedia to deal with the rep but he was absolutely stubborn.
Just to try to get the transaction done, i even offered to apologize, even though i certainly did not feel i had in anyway been abusive, and he still refused to finish the reservation.
I wound up renting a better car for less from Budget at the next counter, using the same Amex with no trouble.
I'm suspicious of what this man was up to and how my card did not work on his machine, the way he took offense at my legitimate concern about why the car was not working (scam or not?) and have decided to look into my legal options against Enterprise Corporate.
I was wondering if anyone else had similar experiences.
thanks

[ExERAC656]

Originally Posted by EnterpriseProblems

I'm suspicious of what this man was up to and how my card did not work on his machine, the way he took offense at my legitimate concern about why the car was not working (scam or not?) and have decided to look into my legal options against Enterprise Corporate.

First off it is total BS that he couldn't take your card by manually entering the numbers. All they have to do it take a physical imprint or copy of the card at the point of purchase. We used to rub them directly onto the contract.

It does sound like he wanted you to purcase the DW, and was hell bent on forcing you into it. I hate to burst your bubble but you will have little to no ground to stand on legally. ERAC has the right to refuse service. If you genuinly did nothing to agitate this employee he didn't go about things the right way, but there is not much you can get ERAC on.

Really all you can do is call and speak to the employees area manager. I am sure he will tell you this matter will be taken care of and then go talk to the employee and get a different story and side with his employee, but offer you a free rental weekend or something.

Sorry for the bad experience, but you aren't the first to recieve this "exceptional service" ERAC is so proud of!

Originally Posted by EnterpriseProblems

The rep basically refused to complete the transaction and tried to get me to leave.

Why would they ask you to leave? I am curious as to what you actually said and how you behaved. The rep could have been informed to not type in the card number and maybe they were new and did not realize they could imprint it. Maybe their group does not allow imprinting of the card on the contract. They do run the risk of a chargeback. I had something similar happen to me when I worked there. Some couple's card wouldn't go through at all and we were instructed that if that occurred to contact the card company. The couple got bitchy about it and just gave me another card. So, there's a good chance that they weren't trying to scam you into buying the coverage. Sacrificing the rental altogehter simply because you weren't taking damage waiver seems a little off to me.

I have experienced this tactic before, and i feel so sorry for you and other customers, basicly, the branch in question did not have the car to supply you, so rather than admit it and face the penalty they used your "faulty" card as excuse, hope you enjoyed you Budget experience !

Is that a chance that you card was at it's limit? I remember in when I worked at an Airport we had to swipe the card to protect against chargebacks. I'm not trying to defend ERAC, I lost 3 years of my life to them. I would like to say is that I bet I know what kind of renter you are, Think you know it all and think you're better than the ERAC rep. Good for you that you went to Budget and I'm hope you're happy with them.

The rep should have punched you in the mouth for getting 'forceful', you made out easy you worthless piece of......

[ExERAC656]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The rep should have punched you in the mouth for getting 'forceful', you made out easy you worthless piece of......

Yeah.. there is that superb customer service ERAC is known for.! Keep booking the deals; jackass!

you have no legal options against the company, plain and simple

He obviously wanted you to use a card without collision waiver for its members so that you would buy the extra no-deductible 'insurance.'

What a fine, fine company.

[gp65:(]

waaaaaaaahhhhh,

He probably just wanted to get rid of you because he didn't want the Esqi hit.

I hate the way customers always make the ERAC seem like a villan.