Autos Abroad - never again!

[Scottish_Maleficent]

I'm not a happy bunny......
Just phoned Autos Abroad about the car hire voucher we have not yet received, and the 'free' luggage set we got as part of the booking - which we were told we would receive 28 days after the booking ( we booked it on 12 May....) The person I got was most unhelpful.

We were told last Friday that the luggage was sent out that day by courier, and we were to expect it at the beginning of the week.
The voucher would also be sent out at the beginnng of the week.

So, last night my DH phoned again - and was told that if the luggage was not here by today to phone again today.
He also asked about the voucher again, and was told be would have it by Saturday.

So rather than wait till tonight, I phoned this afternoon to tell them we still didn't have the luggage. I was told that the luggage hadn't even been sent - and we were to get it after we travel!!!!
I was furious.....then she changed her story and said that we would have it in 7 days.

I asked why we were told that it had already been sent...when it hadn't. I was really angry by now....and getting a little upset. I asked to speak to someone else and she acually told me there was noone else to speak to!!!!!
I asked about the voucher and she said it was in the post....

She was just so unhelpful - didn't even attempt to help, or try and find out about the voucher, or the luggage.

I don't know what to do....should we cancel the car hire and go with someone else? The whole thing has been a mess - we have phoned them before several times about things.
One time when we phoned about something the person we spoke to asked why we had paid our car hire by cheque and not by credit card!!! My husband says we don;t use CC's much, then the guy gave lecture about our financial affairs, and if we wouldn't be able to hire a car if we didn't have a cc - my husband asked for his name and he gave him a false name!!!! (we know this because I phoned up immediately afterwards abd asked to speak to 'Hamish' (yes that was the name he gave ) and I was told that noone of that name works there - there were only 2 people on that night.

I'm so fed up about it....putting a downer on the anticipation of our trip



Cath

 

[Muppet]

What a horrible situation. I would be pulling my hair out at this stage.

If you cancel will you have anyway of getting your money back?

I recently had problems with a different company but with the same attitude. I only got my money back because the CC company did a charge back.

The worse thing will be if you get there and they will not give the vehical.

I would be on the phone morning noon and night.

This is a terrible thing for you to be going through.

 

[squitty]

Cath,

What a awful situation you are in. If you can get a full refund I would say go for it.

Car hire should be no problem to get last minute, our friend booked a flight the day before he was due to fly and he got car hire no problems.

The only thing is how to pay for it, I know he paid for it using his CC. If you dont like using your CC you could always use your debit card instead of sending a cheque.

Good luck

 

[WDWfan uk]

I would have said go for a refund but reading Kazzie's post on your other thread, it would seem unlikely that you would get the refund any time soon.

Reluctantly I'm going to stay stick with it - you will be able to get another hire car if it turns out that they let you down.

Take your bank statement showing that you've paid for the car hire with you
and any other papers/e-mails etc you have with the company.

I would recommend that you deal with them in writing if at all possible, so that you have a written record - phone calls don't count when you are trying to make a case against a company. I know its a hassle but I'd write to their director asking for the voucher and the luggage which they said they would provide, quoting the amount they paid and your cheque number, and stating your displeasure at the service you have received - send a copy to Watchdog and keep copies for yourself.

I'm so sorry you have had to go through this before your trip and I'm keeping everything crossed that you get your voucher in time.

 

[keith&carol]

There was an article in one of the papers, Telegraph?, about problems people were having with this company.
They call themselves Hire for Lower
Americars
Autos Abroad
USA Rentacar
& Go Car Hire

But they're all the same company and are obviously in difficulties of some kind.
I'd try your Local Trading Standards Office and see if they can advise you.
Carol

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Thanks for all the words of wisdom.
I've calmed down a bit now..... was in a right state when I posted earlier.

We have used Autos Abroad before and had no problems, and that was why we chose them for this trip.
I don't think we'll be able to cancel and get a refund before we go, so we'll stick with it.

The luggage thing is not life threatening, whereas no car hire voucher is......

We are travelling with another family, and they are also waiting on their voucher too, wso I'd be more worried if they had it and we didn't.

If the voucher comes tomorrow, I'm going to phone Dollar at MCO and make sure it will be accepted. Autos Abroad said the voucher would be 'Car Shop', and Dollar have already told me that would be fine, but I'm going to phone anyway, just to make sure!!!!

Why are holidays so stressful!!! I'd be more relaxed (and better off ) if we stayed at home!!!!

Cath

 

[kazzie]

Cath,
I don't want to alarm you but I used Hire For Lower three times last year,once for florida and twice for Spain with no problem whatsoever,so maybe it shouldn't reassure you that you had no problem with them in the past

You really don't need this hassle BUT it will be better knowing in advance than turning up tired etc. at the airport and only finding then that somethjing is amiss