Avis was nutz!

[Regina]

We learned about Avis moving the night before we were leaving for our vacation, so there wasn't much we could do at that point.

When DH got the car at MCO, he asked about the new location. They had no clue that they were leaving the Radisson.

After a week at WDW, 8/2 arrives. DH drops us off at the port around 11:00am and leaves to return the car. We're waiting, we're waiting..........he's nowhere to be found.

Just as they start boarding, he arrives. The computers at Avis weren't ready, so everything had to be done by hand. Fortunately, he had his paperwork with him. The shuttle also took forever.

Fast forward to 8/9. We go to the rental car pickup area, and the wait for the shuttle begins. Avis finally shows up, and the poor driver is besieged by frustrated customers. She asked the driver from Budget to help her out, which he agreed to. I tell DH to forget about loading the luggage, we'll wait while he goes for the car. (On Saturdays, several cruise ships return so it's busy.)

Guess what? The computers were still down a week later. From what he told me, it wasn't a pleasant scene.

One plus, he said that they had a lot of cars available.

If you have Avis booked, I suggest you inquire if their system is up and running.

 

[TnRobin]

Thanks Regina. We all need to keep updated on this. Sounds like everyone needs to plan a little extra time if renting from AVIS. or even make other plans.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Avis had only been ranked #2 out of 4 on my list prior to their move. Now that they've moved and are in a less convenient location, they've dropped to #3 out of 4 on my list. Let's hope they work out the bugs real soon, or they'll be dropping to #4.

- Dave

(Here's a link to my list... www.dcltribute.com/carhire)

 

[KarenNY]

I hope they have the bugs worked out by Oct. They had the best price, so I went with them.

 

[ExecuMom]

Where are they located now? And, how close to Port and Radisson are they??

I've had my reservation for my New Year's cruise for a while now - first due to conveneince, second due to price.

Is is still worth it, or is a limo a better idea??

Michele

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by ExecuMom

Where are they located now? And, how close to Port and Radisson are they?

They're about 1½ miles down the road from the Radisson. I have their new location indicated on my Space Coast map...

www.dcltribute.com/spacecoast

 

[ExecuMom]

Got it.

Thanks, Dave!

Michele

 

[martinez03]

Regina, I think I was right next to you at the port after the trip. It was nuts. No organization at all. Luckily we checked in our luggage at the port so we saw all the chaos and decided to take the taxi to Avis only to wait in that same long line. We wont make that mistake next year. Fortunately that is the only thing I can complain about our trip. The cruise was awesome.

Cay

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hi this is Shirley - I am on the phone with Gloria who is the owner of Avis - She sincerely apologizes for all the inconviences during the move - The phone company was late in installing the computer lines and now as of today they are up and running.
We are in the process of getting our 4 shuttles inspected by the port aurthorities and we will be running these as quickly as possible - We are the only company that has 4 shuttles running.
If you have any questions or doubts, you can reach Avis at 321-783-3643 ---they are trying to take care of all of the bugs that has
created so many problems for so many - Gloria sounded very sincere in her quest to make things as easy as possible for everyone and as quickly as possible.
If I can help in any way, you know we are just a couple doors down from them and Norm or I would be glad to help - in fact we will even get ya a cup of coffee.
Always
Shirley

 

[ExecuMom]

Thanks, Shirley!! I feel much better.

Was starting to look at switching to Budget, but may stay with Avis aferall.

Michele

 

[snelsonbrown]

Please understand that I try to find out what the problem is if it concerns someone or business here in Brevard County - I did have Gloria, the owner, on the phone and typed what she expressed to me - I know myself, that in making such a big move and things working against the best intentions, can make you want to find a dark corner and caressing a blanket (like Linus in Peanuts) ----- I believe they will get it together and offer better service not only to the cruisers, but the community as well.
Again glad I was able to get an answer as to all of the problems that were existing.
Always
Shirley

 

[Tandyc]

I just had to put in my two cents and say these boards are amazing. Sounds like Avis knows how to keep it's ears in the right places to know the pulse of their customers.

Kudos to Avis for the prompt attention to the problem.

 

[martinez03]

Shirley, you have come through once again. I doubted staying at the Radisson but after you contacted them and had a great response from the owner we stayed there anyways and it was fine. Now I was one of the ones who had a problem but now understand that the problem was with the shuttles having to be inspected. To see those Shuttles in the parking lot was very upsetting but now it makes more sense. Maybe I'll give them another chance next year.

Cay

 

[Regina]

While your assistance is appreciated Shirley, it does nothing to get back the hour it took for DH to drop off the car, and the hour it took for him to pick one up.

We were never notified that they were moving, yet they had our reservation well in advance. If I hadn't seen it on the boards, it would have been another delay since DH would have gone to the Radisson to drop it off.

As I said in the original post, the Avis folks at the airport were unaware of the move. This was 6 days before we were scheduled to drop off the car in Port Canaveral.

Since DH's arrival to the port was so delayed because of the computer woes, DD and I boarded without him in order to get the Palo's that we wanted. We then sat in the Atrium and waited forever for him to board. That also meant no family boarding picture.

We never, ever expected the computers to still be down a week later. Having 4 shuttles is great, too bad it sounds as if they're still "in the process" of being inspected.

As Martinez03 said, it was the one bad part of the trip.

BTW, at one point I saw the Perfect Gift delivery van. I was tempted to throw myself in front of it to get a ride.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello Regina,
Your remark about "throwing yourself in front of our van" brought a chuckle - I have known what you felt more than once especially when my babies were all young and I wanted to get home and at that time all we had for transportation was a bus between Miami and Key West - I felt like everybody in the world was on the bus and here I am with 5 babies and it seemed like baggage with everything we owned. I can understand all the fusterations - anyhow, we ourselves, do have to have our van inspected every time we go on the docks for deliveries - in fact anyone even if they are on a tricycle -----it is for the safety of everyone for you never know who could be a looney trying to bring harm - even tho it is inconvient, I still believe in it - not only are we badged, but so is the vehicles that are transporting anything or anyone - I will keep checking with Gloria to see how things are progressing and if there is a problem, we are maybe less than one half block from Avis and we can help - just give us a call - too if you can not locate your partners, just call the shop and I will run over or call over there to see what is going on -
Glad I could help with information.
With much love
Shirley

 

[ExecuMom]

Just wanted to check back on this to see if there are any updates on the AVIS service at Port. This thread was a bit concerning.

We're booked on the New Year's Magic, which is sold out and I'm sure the lines will already be a bit crazy. If Avis doesn't have it's act together that would make it worse!!

Any recent cruisers have an Avis expereince to share that would shed light on if things have, or are, improving??

Thanks for your help!

Michele