It seems that if you’re planning to rent a car for a trip you better have a back up plan! I’ve never had the need to rent a vehicle for a trip before. However, I did have to when I wrecked my car, which the insurance company paid for so no billing issues for me, but hearing your horror car rental stories makes me skeptical about ever renting one for travel purposes. That could really ruin a vacation trip! On the 2 occasions that I did rent one due to me once, and my son once, wrecking our vehicles, thankfully I had no issues with picking the vehicles up as they were ready and available when I got there. So glad they got this worked out because that could’ve ruined your trip! So glad you’re sharing these experiences because otherwise, I would’ve never thought this was even a possibility so thanks so much!😊
Unfortunately, it is getting to that point. It seems that "customer service" is at an all-time low, all across the board. Not just in car rentals, but in pretty much everything. We never used to have issues like this. I believe that our future rentals will be through Alamo, because we have had only good experiences with them, so far.
I have worked at a local branch. Theres a lot that creates this mess. They have many more cars than can ever fit on the lot at once. They rely on those cars to always be gone. In that they are tied up in normal rentals, body shops, service shops, being serviced, and sometimes there are vehicles there sitting but under recalls and other issues that are on the do not rent list which they risk being in trouble to rent. (They have a policy for keeping the vehicles in tip top shape for the resale market.) Hopefully everyone renting sticks to their schedules times. So you have to hope no one extends or these shops that offer rental service gets some back and reports them in. Other branches can help but sometimes it gets crazy. And as far as smoke. Ive seen branch managers not care because they have those customers that continues to get premium vehicles for months at a time. These foreigners with their super musky cologne and cigar smoke drove me nuts. All are no smoking vehicles by the way.
I really enjoy y’all’s videos especially the fall colors and seeing the pumpkin figures in Gatlinburg also I’ve been charged for not returning a vehicle to enterprise with enough gas and it had what it had when we picked it up using a phone camera is a good idea thank you for that idea hadn’t thought about that before hope to run into y’all sometime in the smokies
Yes, it would be great to run into y'all sometime. Glad you enjoyed the video. You certainly do have to watch these rental car agencies, to make sure they don't try to pull one over on you.
Enjoyed your review, public awareness is always so helpful. I commend you for standing your ground on this issue! It's amazing how one says they made a phone call to Hickory and nothing available , then like magic "poof" they have it. If only they could understand (employees and owners) their customer service makes their success or failure. We, the consumers are the best advertisement they can possibly have! I find myself more troubled in restaurants for example if you say you have the BEST burger in town, dont disappoint me. 😊 Once again, thanks for the honest reviews. Sincerely, Shays Ways
You are very welcome. We want every review we give, whether it is a restaurant, a car rental agency, or something else, to be fair and accurate. We want to outline the good and the bad. I was very disappointed with the level of honesty that I felt like I got. Hopefully, it will be better next time. This is disappointing, because we had just had two really good experiences with a company that is owned by this company. I think we expected better than what we got, because of that.
I live in Granite Falls as well. About to go on a trip and wanted to rent from them. Did you get any of the upgrades like the Damage Waiver or roadside protection??
No, I never get any of the extras. My credit card and also my insurance company, will cover any damage to the vehicle. We have rented from them 3 times, most recently about 6 weeks ago. This was the only bad experience we have had with them. If I were you, I'd call and confirm the morning of when you're supposed to pick it up, to make SURE they have your vehicle there. You don't want to go through what we did this particular time.
I did have a job where I had a rental car every weekend. I only used dollar rent a car and they were great. Of course it was at the airport. I understand that you prefer a rental company that is near you. I would have the same issue renting where I am in NC, only Enterprise. Thanks for this review, I will be aware now.
Yes, I think the rental car agencies that are at the airport, have to have a lot more inventory on hand. But in the little location where I'm at, I guess they feel they can get away with this. Enterprise is basically the only option here in my town, and if I wanted to go to the next closest town, it would be about 10 miles away. Which still isn't too far, but we were just really wanting to get on the road as soon as possible.
The same thing happened to us about eight years ago we rode Amtrak all the way from Michigan down to New Orleans. We raised served from enterprise for Michigan when we got to New Orleans. The car was not there they didn’t have a reservation so we had to work and work and work to couple hours because they said they didn’t deliver cars you had to go pick it up well they knew we were coming on Amtrak. We told them we would arrive at this time and they said oh for sure no problem will have a car there, but it wasn’t so never go enterprise again.
I do not understand how companies can treat people that way. Enterprise's slogan used to be "We'll pick you up." Now, they can just wait till you show up, and say "Sorry, but we don't have a car".
I am sorry that you also had that kind of experience. That was a very stressful day, because we had had the reservation for a couple of months, and were getting ready to leave for our trip of over 1,000 mi, and they just nonchalantly tell me they don't have a car. I would not wish that experience on anyone else. You mentioned Rolla, Missouri. We actually went through there in 2015. Our son was graduating BCT at Fort Leonard Wood, not too far away.
You know we were waiting on this video! lol "Let me tell you what happened".....I know it's going to be a good story. David would have said the same thing about the slogan, asking if you would want to be treated like that. It's ridiculous to know they don't have a vehicle and they don't attempt to get a vehicle. An Audi is an expensive vehicle, it's just behind a Mercedes Benz in their rating. They should have given you a discount after not having the car there. Nice job on giving a fair review.
Thank you! I agree, that they should've given a discount. I guess they decided to do the upgrade instead. I was very disappointed in them not having a vehicle, and the fact they were going to just let me show up at the originally scheduled pick up time and then tell me. I'm very glad I called hours before that, to ask about an early pick up. That gave me time to "motivate" them to get a vehicle there. I got concerned when I had left work early that day, and just decided to drive by out of curiosity, to see what we were getting. And I saw nothing in the parking lot that looked like what we had reserved. I was hopeful that they just had it inside the garage and were cleaning it up, but that's when I decided I'd better call and see about an early pick up, just to make sure they actually had something. If I hadn't done that, I think I would have shown up later on that evening, and they would've just told me they had nothing.
@@NCMemoryMakers Poor customer service for sure. I couldn't imagine running a business, a customer makes an order, and then not have it when they come to pick it up. Customer service is not what it use to be.
@@vafunseekersThat is so true. We have noticed that, not just with car rentals, but pretty much anything anymore. By the way, we are going to be at Mayberry Days tomorrow.
@@NCMemoryMakers We had thought about going there Saturday. Not sure that the weather will cooperate for it. Have a good time! It should be lots of fun!
Seems like everything now is hit or miss. Great one time and not so good the next time. Seems like all you can do is take a chance sometimes and hope for the best. Hope both of you have blessed day.
Hey , I think it's different depending on the location. I believe these are franchised owned, and some managers and owners do a better job of communication. Here in lakeland, Fl. The one we use on Memorial Blvd. Is excellent! No problems at all. Also, Avis here in lakeland has been excellent also. We always rent when traveling on vacation. But I would have called corporate and filed a complaint. What you said happened was uncalled for!
We have never had a problem with Enterprise in the past. Even this location. I think you are correct, that it probably does depend on the location. Avis, on the other hand, just does not seem to be what they used to be. They are pretty much universally despised by everyone, on their own Facebook page. And I read several other people there, talking about the same things that happened to me with Avis. But I believe it's unacceptable anywhere, for a person to have a legitimate and valid reservation for months, and that location not make sure there's a vehicle there. I have to say, that when you mention Lakeland and Memorial Boulevard, that brings back a lot of memories from my college days. I went to Southeastern, on Longfellow. I still remember the old Lakeland Mall on Memorial Blvd., before they built the Lakeland Square Mall up there off of Interstate 4. In fact, we stopped for gas in Lakeland last month, when we were in Florida.
You did, and I knew you had attended Southeastern also. My wife was there in 89, going to college. That was awesome when we were watching that night and found out you went to school here. The lakeland mall has pretty much been deserted, and only a few stores remain. Lakeside village is the popular mall now. Also, the historic part of lakeland from Munn Park area to the Texas cattlemen restaurant area and the joinery around Lake Mirror is very popular now. Thank you for the reply, and hopefully, I continue to have good luck with enterprise.
@jerrygoff4727 Yes, I remember that conversation now. In my first reply, I hadn't paid attention to the name. But I saw your name, and I immediately remembered it.
@NCMemoryMakers oh the old lakeland mall that was located on Memorial was converted to the lakes Baptist church and school. Awesome church I hear. We go to city central and pastor Jay is great. If you ever have time pull up city central and listen to his sermon. It is Baptist but wow he is a great preacher and is a true man of God! Thank you and enjoy your day.
Very misleading info that lady at ENTETPRISE gave you. 99 out of a 100 customers would assume that when she said YOUR GOOD TO GO, your vehicle would be waiting on you when you arrived ! Very good analogy when you said its like a restaurant reservation without any food available when you show up to eat! When you said you could only rent it for a week and after that daily rates would be added for the extra days you needed it. Would they or could you have rented it for 2 weeks ,14 days instead of 12 days plus daily rates and saved money?
Yes, we felt what she said was very misleading. Simply telling us that she only meant that we "had a reservation", is basically telling us what we already knew. What really got us about that, is when Shawnasi called on that Monday, that would have been the time for her to have mentioned that there were "no guarantees" of a vehicle, rather than letting us believe everything was great. She said nothing of the sort, but only said that everything was good. I think anyone would assume what you pointed out...that this meant there were no potential issues. I do not understand how they can think it is acceptable to just let a person show up, and then tell them "Sorry, we don't have your car". I've actually looked at renting for 2 weeks before, but it always seems it would come out to be a bit higher, when we've checked. Not sure why. We knew the extra days would average out higher than the weekly rate per day, because that is usually the way it is. But we have priced the 2 week option before, but it seems like the 2nd week was higher, for some reason. I guess they realize people might try to do that.
Respectfully, the mitigating difference in the restaurant example is that the cooks and hostesses don’t have to depend on previous customers to return their food, fresh and on time in order for your food to come out quickly and delicious. On the face I completely understand your frustration, but there’s so much nuance involved in the return process. Sometimes the vehicles are simply unavailable. With that said, I would’ve done everything in my power to get you a car, with no extra charge for upgrades or whatnot. I’ve been in the industry for years and my customers are my number one priority. I hate that you had a bad experience.
It’s sad but it doesn’t surprise me. These rental companies aren’t what they used to be. I had an enterprise rental earlier this year… the car started giving dashboard alerts with various alarms. I called all local enterprise locations; they each said ‘we don’t have an available car to swap for you… I recommend that you take the rental to an auto shop” Yup.
@@NCMemoryMakers They sent me to specific auto shops that they use (so repairs were covered by them) but they didn’t help me get to those shops in a vehicle that was dying. I had to get on interstates to find the auto shops. The whole thing was unnerving.
You are correct, and I actually suggested that. Their claim was, that they had no vehicles on the lot that were available for rental. When I asked him about the minivan that was sitting out there, they said that was already reserved and that the renter was coming to pick it up later. They were literally telling me they had no rental vehicles at all. And honestly, other than the minivan that was sitting there, they didn't have anything in the class or even a higher class than I had reserved. What really bothered me, is the fact that he wasn't shooting straight with me, claiming he had already called the branch in the neighboring city and they had nothing, but they suddenly had something when I stood there and made him call.
@@LeeSmith-f4f True enough. I was really surprised by this, since we have rented from Alamo so many times and always had a good experience, and Alamo is owned by Enterprise.
It seems that if you’re planning to rent a car for a trip you better have a back up plan! I’ve never had the need to rent a vehicle for a trip before. However, I did have to when I wrecked my car, which the insurance company paid for so no billing issues for me, but hearing your horror car rental stories makes me skeptical about ever renting one for travel purposes. That could really ruin a vacation trip! On the 2 occasions that I did rent one due to me once, and my son once, wrecking our vehicles, thankfully I had no issues with picking the vehicles up as they were ready and available when I got there. So glad they got this worked out because that could’ve ruined your trip! So glad you’re sharing these experiences because otherwise, I would’ve never thought this was even a possibility so thanks so much!😊
Unfortunately, it is getting to that point. It seems that "customer service" is at an all-time low, all across the board. Not just in car rentals, but in pretty much everything.
We never used to have issues like this. I believe that our future rentals will be through Alamo, because we have had only good experiences with them, so far.
I have worked at a local branch.
Theres a lot that creates this mess. They have many more cars than can ever fit on the lot at once. They rely on those cars to always be gone. In that they are tied up in normal rentals, body shops, service shops, being serviced, and sometimes there are vehicles there sitting but under recalls and other issues that are on the do not rent list which they risk being in trouble to rent. (They have a policy for keeping the vehicles in tip top shape for the resale market.) Hopefully everyone renting sticks to their schedules times. So you have to hope no one extends or these shops that offer rental service gets some back and reports them in. Other branches can help but sometimes it gets crazy. And as far as smoke. Ive seen branch managers not care because they have those customers that continues to get premium vehicles for months at a time. These foreigners with their super musky cologne and cigar smoke drove me nuts. All are no smoking vehicles by the way.
Do you guys know if you can drive an Enterprise Rent-A-car to another state and leave it in their rental location there?
You can, yes. But you have to reserve it that way online, and just enter the pick up and drop off locations.
@@NCMemoryMakers Thanks Guys
I really enjoy y’all’s videos especially the fall colors and seeing the pumpkin figures in Gatlinburg also I’ve been charged for not returning a vehicle to enterprise with enough gas and it had what it had when we picked it up using a phone camera is a good idea thank you for that idea hadn’t thought about that before hope to run into y’all sometime in the smokies
Yes, it would be great to run into y'all sometime. Glad you enjoyed the video.
You certainly do have to watch these rental car agencies, to make sure they don't try to pull one over on you.
Enjoyed your review, public awareness is always so helpful. I commend you for standing your ground on this issue! It's amazing how one says they made a phone call to Hickory and nothing available , then like magic "poof" they have it. If only they could understand (employees and owners) their customer service makes their success or failure. We, the consumers are the best advertisement they can possibly have! I find myself more troubled in restaurants for example if you say you have the BEST burger in town, dont disappoint me. 😊 Once again, thanks for the honest reviews. Sincerely, Shays Ways
You are very welcome. We want every review we give, whether it is a restaurant, a car rental agency, or something else, to be fair and accurate. We want to outline the good and the bad. I was very disappointed with the level of honesty that I felt like I got.
Hopefully, it will be better next time. This is disappointing, because we had just had two really good experiences with a company that is owned by this company. I think we expected better than what we got, because of that.
I live in Granite Falls as well. About to go on a trip and wanted to rent from them. Did you get any of the upgrades like the Damage Waiver or roadside protection??
No, I never get any of the extras. My credit card and also my insurance company, will cover any damage to the vehicle.
We have rented from them 3 times, most recently about 6 weeks ago. This was the only bad experience we have had with them. If I were you, I'd call and confirm the morning of when you're supposed to pick it up, to make SURE they have your vehicle there. You don't want to go through what we did this particular time.
@@NCMemoryMakers if you don’t mind me asking who is your credit card through and how did you find out they cover any damages?
I did have a job where I had a rental car every weekend. I only used dollar rent a car and they were great. Of course it was at the airport. I understand that you prefer a rental company that is near you. I would have the same issue renting where I am in NC, only Enterprise. Thanks for this review, I will be aware now.
Yes, I think the rental car agencies that are at the airport, have to have a lot more inventory on hand. But in the little location where I'm at, I guess they feel they can get away with this.
Enterprise is basically the only option here in my town, and if I wanted to go to the next closest town, it would be about 10 miles away. Which still isn't too far, but we were just really wanting to get on the road as soon as possible.
The same thing happened to us about eight years ago we rode Amtrak all the way from Michigan down to New Orleans. We raised served from enterprise for Michigan when we got to New Orleans. The car was not there they didn’t have a reservation so we had to work and work and work to couple hours because they said they didn’t deliver cars you had to go pick it up well they knew we were coming on Amtrak. We told them we would arrive at this time and they said oh for sure no problem will have a car there, but it wasn’t so never go enterprise again.
I do not understand how companies can treat people that way. Enterprise's slogan used to be "We'll pick you up."
Now, they can just wait till you show up, and say "Sorry, but we don't have a car".
I had a similar experience today at the Enterprise in Rolla, MO. They are a car rental business not a car stranded business…lol
I am sorry that you also had that kind of experience. That was a very stressful day, because we had had the reservation for a couple of months, and were getting ready to leave for our trip of over 1,000 mi, and they just nonchalantly tell me they don't have a car.
I would not wish that experience on anyone else.
You mentioned Rolla, Missouri. We actually went through there in 2015. Our son was graduating BCT at Fort Leonard Wood, not too far away.
You know we were waiting on this video! lol "Let me tell you what happened".....I know it's going to be a good story. David would have said the same thing about the slogan, asking if you would want to be treated like that. It's ridiculous to know they don't have a vehicle and they don't attempt to get a vehicle. An Audi is an expensive vehicle, it's just behind a Mercedes Benz in their rating. They should have given you a discount after not having the car there. Nice job on giving a fair review.
Thank you! I agree, that they should've given a discount. I guess they decided to do the upgrade instead.
I was very disappointed in them not having a vehicle, and the fact they were going to just let me show up at the originally scheduled pick up time and then tell me. I'm very glad I called hours before that, to ask about an early pick up. That gave me time to "motivate" them to get a vehicle there.
I got concerned when I had left work early that day, and just decided to drive by out of curiosity, to see what we were getting. And I saw nothing in the parking lot that looked like what we had reserved. I was hopeful that they just had it inside the garage and were cleaning it up, but that's when I decided I'd better call and see about an early pick up, just to make sure they actually had something.
If I hadn't done that, I think I would have shown up later on that evening, and they would've just told me they had nothing.
@@NCMemoryMakers Poor customer service for sure. I couldn't imagine running a business, a customer makes an order, and then not have it when they come to pick it up. Customer service is not what it use to be.
@@vafunseekersThat is so true. We have noticed that, not just with car rentals, but pretty much anything anymore.
By the way, we are going to be at Mayberry Days tomorrow.
@@NCMemoryMakers We had thought about going there Saturday. Not sure that the weather will cooperate for it. Have a good time! It should be lots of fun!
Seems like everything now is hit or miss. Great one time and not so good the next time. Seems like all you can do is take a chance sometimes and hope for the best. Hope both of you have blessed day.
Thank you, and you are correct. Never know what to expect next time, even if the last time went off without a hitch.
Hey , I think it's different depending on the location. I believe these are franchised owned, and some managers and owners do a better job of communication. Here in lakeland, Fl. The one we use on Memorial Blvd. Is excellent! No problems at all. Also, Avis here in lakeland has been excellent also. We always rent when traveling on vacation. But I would have called corporate and filed a complaint. What you said happened was uncalled for!
We have never had a problem with Enterprise in the past. Even this location.
I think you are correct, that it probably does depend on the location. Avis, on the other hand, just does not seem to be what they used to be. They are pretty much universally despised by everyone, on their own Facebook page. And I read several other people there, talking about the same things that happened to me with Avis.
But I believe it's unacceptable anywhere, for a person to have a legitimate and valid reservation for months, and that location not make sure there's a vehicle there.
I have to say, that when you mention Lakeland and Memorial Boulevard, that brings back a lot of memories from my college days. I went to Southeastern, on Longfellow. I still remember the old Lakeland Mall on Memorial Blvd., before they built the Lakeland Square Mall up there off of Interstate 4.
In fact, we stopped for gas in Lakeland last month, when we were in Florida.
Seeing your name now, I think I actually may have told you that in a past livestream.
You did, and I knew you had attended Southeastern also. My wife was there in 89, going to college. That was awesome when we were watching that night and found out you went to school here. The lakeland mall has pretty much been deserted, and only a few stores remain. Lakeside village is the popular mall now. Also, the historic part of lakeland from Munn Park area to the Texas cattlemen restaurant area and the joinery around Lake Mirror is very popular now. Thank you for the reply, and hopefully, I continue to have good luck with enterprise.
@jerrygoff4727 Yes, I remember that conversation now. In my first reply, I hadn't paid attention to the name. But I saw your name, and I immediately remembered it.
@NCMemoryMakers oh the old lakeland mall that was located on Memorial was converted to the lakes Baptist church and school. Awesome church I hear. We go to city central and pastor Jay is great. If you ever have time pull up city central and listen to his sermon. It is Baptist but wow he is a great preacher and is a true man of God! Thank you and enjoy your day.
Very misleading info that lady at ENTETPRISE gave you. 99 out of a 100 customers would assume that when she said YOUR GOOD TO GO, your vehicle would be waiting on you when you arrived ! Very good analogy when you said its like a restaurant reservation without any food available when you show up to eat! When you said you could only rent it for a week and after that daily rates would be added for the extra days you needed it. Would they or could you have rented it for 2 weeks ,14 days instead of 12 days plus daily rates and saved money?
Yes, we felt what she said was very misleading. Simply telling us that she only meant that we "had a reservation", is basically telling us what we already knew.
What really got us about that, is when Shawnasi called on that Monday, that would have been the time for her to have mentioned that there were "no guarantees" of a vehicle, rather than letting us believe everything was great. She said nothing of the sort, but only said that everything was good.
I think anyone would assume what you pointed out...that this meant there were no potential issues.
I do not understand how they can think it is acceptable to just let a person show up, and then tell them "Sorry, we don't have your car".
I've actually looked at renting for 2 weeks before, but it always seems it would come out to be a bit higher, when we've checked. Not sure why. We knew the extra days would average out higher than the weekly rate per day, because that is usually the way it is. But we have priced the 2 week option before, but it seems like the 2nd week was higher, for some reason. I guess they realize people might try to do that.
If I rented a car I would definitely get one with unlimited mileage. The miles can add up fast.
Respectfully, the mitigating difference in the restaurant example is that the cooks and hostesses don’t have to depend on previous customers to return their food, fresh and on time in order for your food to come out quickly and delicious. On the face I completely understand your frustration, but there’s so much nuance involved in the return process. Sometimes the vehicles are simply unavailable. With that said, I would’ve done everything in my power to get you a car, with no extra charge for upgrades or whatnot. I’ve been in the industry for years and my customers are my number one priority. I hate that you had a bad experience.
It’s sad but it doesn’t surprise me. These rental companies aren’t what they used to be.
I had an enterprise rental earlier this year… the car started giving dashboard alerts with various alarms. I called all local enterprise locations; they each said ‘we don’t have an available car to swap for you… I recommend that you take the rental to an auto shop”
Yup.
I hope they were planning to reimburse you for the repairs, or cover them?
@@NCMemoryMakers They sent me to specific auto shops that they use (so repairs were covered by them) but they didn’t help me get to those shops in a vehicle that was dying. I had to get on interstates to find the auto shops. The whole thing was unnerving.
I prefer Hertz. They have always done us right.
We rented from them once, about 20 years ago, when our local airport still had a Hertz there.
How
How what??
You had every right to get upset ! Why didn’t they upgrade the car with no extra cost to just make it right????? That would have solved e everything
You are correct, and I actually suggested that. Their claim was, that they had no vehicles on the lot that were available for rental. When I asked him about the minivan that was sitting out there, they said that was already reserved and that the renter was coming to pick it up later. They were literally telling me they had no rental vehicles at all.
And honestly, other than the minivan that was sitting there, they didn't have anything in the class or even a higher class than I had reserved. What really bothered me, is the fact that he wasn't shooting straight with me, claiming he had already called the branch in the neighboring city and they had nothing, but they suddenly had something when I stood there and made him call.
Everyone wants your money but don't want to do what you're paying for.
@@LeeSmith-f4f True enough.
I was really surprised by this, since we have rented from Alamo so many times and always had a good experience, and Alamo is owned by Enterprise.