Don't Book Cars on the Web!

This should not be done ever. The websites are not indicitive of what cars are actually on their lots. (If ERAC had real computers than this would not be the case.) I remember leaving my branch, already sweating about the next day since I was short a few cars for my reservations, and then checking the website and seeing that it was still saying I had cars available. (There is a way you can change that ERACians. I can't remember how but it's a lifesaver. I think you call Nat Res and ask to sell out a date or car class they can alter the website. Most AMs and CMs don't like you doing that though, so you have to be quiet about iit.)

Call the branch direct. Always.

What is nat rez? You mean those wierd phone calls we get from national reservations? When you tell Nat rez as you call it that you are sold out they just go to the next branch nearby and then that branch takes the reservation and kicks it over to you're branch, so it's a waste of time to tell them that you are out of cars, you'll get stuck with the reservation anyways. I knew you were a donkey John, I just didn't know that you're a mgmt trainee idiot. Is that the highest level you recieved? No wonder why your on here bashing this sight, you don't know S"H"I"T about the company, you were still wet behind the ears when we canned you. DONKEY!

Donkey? Your posts get dumber and dumber as I read them, Branch manager. I think you are a JOKE! Either you're someone who is just having some fun being an idiot posting comments to get people talking, or you are actually brainwashed beyond all hope of recovery. Which is it?

Branch manager is so stupid/nieve, that could he really be a general manager/vice president?
Only they beleive the cr@p they peddle.
I love the nat res contracts, which are no turn down. There are no cars in the area, none returning and you get a truck res, for 2 hours, no turn down. Your AM, just says your the branch manager your manage. Good leadership eh?

I think you may be right MS01. Only area mangers or gm's sell the "bleed green" crap 24/7. Although, those area managers and GRM's were branch managers at one point. So, maybe this guy is one of those "future upper mangment molds" that ERAC tries so hard to create.
I'm looking forward to his replies. I'm sure they will be filled w/ a "You couldn't cut it" tone. Let me throw this question out there. Does Branch Manger know what the retention of ERAC is? I'm sure it's one the highest for turnover in the country. If all the people on this webpage couldn't cut it, then how can you explain the extremely high amount of people that quit, with all very similar stories of how ERAC treats it's employees. Maybe, branch manger should wake up out of the dreamy siesta he/she is in, and look at the numbers.
Retention numbers don't lie. When I left, every single person in my area was looking for another job with the exception of a few "cause fighters," like branch manger. And I mean almost EVERYONE!! So does that mean that everyone can't cut it. Maybe, just maybe, that means that the company actually sucks...If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck.......

Are you saying that the inventory levels at the local branch aren't fed back into the web site reservation system in order to prevent offering "reservations" on cars that don't exist?

You are absolutely correct. Website booking does not really guarentee you the car that you are looking for. Although I have taken a recent look, and they do block out most of the specialty cars. You are a lot better off to book over the phone with the actual branch. Or you could always book with another company and actually get what you were looking for. I remember being at ERAC and seeing reservations that had been made from places other than the office. Usually the branches don't even bother to get what is there, because they count on those type of reservations not showing up. So if you really booked a focus size, you'll probably get a dodge ram. Just a bit of advice.

You said that you booked most of your reservations on the Internet and when you got there, there was no car in that class. When you book on the Internet or via the 1-800 number, those people that handle those reservations just "book away", it makes no difference to them whether or not the car is available, once you've made the reservation with them, they can then wash their hands of you. I told you before, this system sucks. There is a reason why you always got a dodge Dakota, because your online reservation probably popped on the branch computer screen two hours before the reservation and the branch probably had no cars. Trucks and cargo vans are always available with two exceptions, when kids are moving in to college and when kids are moving out of college. For the rest of the year, those trucks and cargo vans just sit around costing the branch money. So they offer it as an upgrade just because they are happy to be rid of the it for a few day. Talking to the branch is essential when making the reservation. The chances of your car being there at the reservation time improves about 50% when you talk directly to the branch, especially if you take damage waiver and say nice things when the ESQI people call you. Granted that if you book via Internet you have only a 5% chance of having a car when you arrive, It's always best to call the branch.

I'm a branch manager, but the title really is deceptive. My job is actually more of quality control. I am human, I fail....but for the most part we have a product that is of fair market value tht we try to provide the correct cars most of the time. It's difficult when NATRES books 6 fullsize cars and 3 minivans without advance notice. The dynamics of rental is more that selling waiver - it's about running a fine line between having most of your cars on the road and still having a enough to meet demand. Then the prices are always subject to supply and demand. As quality control goes we have to move with the ebb and flow in that spectrum. Anyway, you can't always get what you want - unless you call me directly and I promise that to you.

This all falss in with the stupid book no look philosophy of Enterprise. We have all been there, a guy will call up says he coming in about an hour for full size, you got 2 on the lot and you think you are safe then WHAM, one goes to a scumbag body shop and another one to a dealership. Now, the customer has your name when he comes in and you are the one who takes the heat with no backup from anyone, including your cocksucking BM who you asked to save one of the fullsizes and he of course told you not to worry about it because we will get one back. Fuck Enterprise to the death!