Hitching a ride! Renting a cheap, small car or a minivan from Enterprise!
Written: Apr 30 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: They pick you up and drive you back
Cons: Chevy metro WITHOUT power steering!
The Bottom Line: Enterprise is a great car rental company! I like the idea they pick you up and drive you back to your car. They have fast, easy transactions.
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| 2buzy's Full Review: Enterprise |
SHORT BLURP ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Enterprise company was established in 1957 and has grown to the largest rental company in North America. With 4,400 offices in the United States and another 400 in Canada, Germany, Ireland and United Kingdom.
They have over 50,000 employees and their worldwide revenue for 2001 was 6.3 billion dollars!
There are seven classes of automobiles to choose ~ from compact to minivan and SUV's ~ with a fleet of over 389,000 vehicles.
RENTING A CAR
You can rent a car three ways from Enterprise
1.From the internet at www.enterprise.com
2.By phone at their toll free number (800)-736-8222
3.Just walking over to the counter or in the door!
It appears the best way to get discounts is to sign up at their website to get their specials emailed to you.
MY FIRST TIME WITH ENTERPRISE
My first was an uneventful, planned rental while we were on vacationa couple of months ago. I had pre-booked a minivan three weeks prior to leaving.
When we arrived at the airport we went over to the Enterprise booth to get our car. The paper work was ready and after declining the extra insurance we were asked to show proof of insurance. I actually like that they require this as it protects anyone that might get hit by a rental car.
After producing a credit card and signing the paperwork we were given the keys to our minivan. We were given a Chevy Astro with air conditioning and a tape player. The car had 1/2 tank of gas and we were asked to bring it back with the same amount upon return.
The minivan was rented in New Orleans (LOVE that city) for one week. The basic cost is $275.45 with $8.26 added on for Louisiana Excise tax and another $24.10 in sales tax. This brings the total to $307.81 with 1400 free miles which we didn't use all of. Had we gone over, the cost is twenty cents per mile. AVIS gave me a rate of OVER $500 for the same time period.
We drove to our hotel and all around the city morning, afternoon and at night and we never had a single problem. We have had a minivan for years and although this was the first Astro I drove, it wasn't mush different from the minivans I had driven. It was an automatic and easy to handle.
When we returned the car (with 1/2 tank of gas) we were charged exactly what was quoted and no more. A good experience all the way around.
NEW EXPERIENCE, NEW CIRCUMSTANCES
My second experience with Enterprise just ended. I was FORCED to get a rental car after Walmart messed up my oil change, causing my service light to go on and starting a huge ordeal over the last few days!
Since the oil was changed (and the damage done) on Friday night after 5:00PM I couldn't take my car to the dealer until Saturday morning. But early Saturday morning I drove my sweet NEW Saturn to the dealer only to find out they wouldn't have a journeyman mechanic in until Monday morning.
BEFORE getting all the information, the service manager called Enterprise and asked for a pick up. By the time we finished, my ride was there!
He drove my daughter and I over to their office to fill out the paperwork. Since the Saturn dealership was paying for the car I only had to have a $50.00 hold put on my credit card.
But also since the Saturn dealership was paying, I was to get a compact car without putting in any money of my own for an upgrade.
Now with hindsight, I would have went for the upgrade! This is for a couple of reasons, one I was paid back the full amount of my rental by Walmart and two the car was awful!
I was given a 2000 Chevy Metro which I had never been in before. Not giving away a future review, this is one SMALL, LOUD car!! It had four doors, an AM/FM radio and air conditioning. It also smelled like "dog" which we tried to air out but, was still very apparent to our Husky who would smell and then growl at the back doors!
The cost was $30 per day and I was told that "Saturn has taken care of the miles" so I am unsure if there was a limit.
Before we were given the keys I was asked about adding insurance and when I declined, I was asked the name of my insurance company. As we walked around the car looking for scratches and dents, I was told I needed to drop the car back off at their office. Apparently, people assume that since they were picked up, they can just leave the car somewhere and call for them to come and get it!
I took the keys and drove out. This was rather funny as I had NEVER driven a car without power steering! But on a positive note, it does get GREAT gas mileage and has a nice size trunk. I think the worse part about this car is the noise! It is so loud inside that I would have went insane if I had to be in it for days on end.
I returned the car on Monday afternoon. The sales person did a walk around, checked the mileage and the gas volume. As in New Orleans, I was given the car with 1/2 tank and brought it back with that amount.
He gave me a copy of the bill to give the Saturn office (sales tax was added on) and I was driven back to the dealership.
Again, a very easy, smooth experience.
THIS AND THAT
** I used Enterprise two different times, for two very different reasons and drove two very different cars. As far as the transactions, the shape of the cars and getting charge what I was quoted, I would rate them at the top of the heap!
** I realize that the car I got this time, was the smallest, cheapest one they offer and if I am ever in this situation again, I would upgrade. I am sure it would be the right choice for a lot of people, just not for me! I get enough noise out of 5 kids, I really NEED a quiet car!
**Both times I rented from Enterprise they walked around the car with me, checking for dents, scratches and dings. Even if they don't offer this, you should still do this yourself BEFORE you leave the parking lot. If you see anything, make sure they WRITE it down on your paperwork.
**I'd recommend them to anyone but ALWAYS check a few places to make sure you are getting the best price.
**IF ANYONE CAN DIRECT ME TO WHERE I CAN PLACE AN EPINION ON MY EXPERIENCE AT WALMART'S AUTO CENTER PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
2buzy
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