Don't use AVIS in AUSTRALIA!!!
Written: Dec 09 '07 (Updated Jan 23 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Having a car for hiring, online customer services
Cons: A lot of tragedy. Overcharge my credit card, old car, fuel not topped up, etc...
The Bottom Line: Stay away from AVIS in Australia!!!
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| techtwo's Full Review: Avis |
I recently travelled to Australia in Nov'07. As an AVIS preferred member in the US, I decided to hire AVIS in Australia too, and this was so wrong choice did we make.
I happened to hire their cars for 3 locations, so I would write them all in one review.
First, in Melbourne, at Avalon airport. Everything was fine. Pick-up & Drop-off procedures brought no problem. Car is newer than other brand I've found. However, only the problem was after I back home and only found that they tried to charge my AMEX card for ALMOST 50% OF MORE THAN the original reservation estimation ($2XX VS $150). Thanks to AMEX services that allow me to dispute that overcharge amount immediately. I emailed to AVIS and they said I need to WAIT FOR 15-30 DAYS just for a reply an email!!! What a shame on AVIS!!!
Secondly, in Sydney, at SYD airport. As a preferred member, I happened to get a Hyundai Elantra '05 and having MORE THAN 50,000 KM on ODOMETER!!! (Preferred member #2 benefit : member would get newer & lower miles car, is a joke...) Also, we arrived at evening so didn't have opportunity to check the condition of the car on that time. The next morning I walked around the car and only to find out the rear tire was worn out to the last hatch (need to replace mark), but AVIS still let the car out for a hiring??? Their cars are very old and a lot of wear & tear here at SYD airport location so be warned!
Lastly, in Sydney, at KingCross location. As a preferred member, I show up my preferred card as usual. The officer there looked at me when I show the card and transmit some "so what???" feeling to me when seeing the card... Okay that's fine to me 'coz we're going to hire and leave Australia in only a couple days... After signing contract & go to the car, and go to the car and only to find out that the car was only filled up to about 7/8 (not to 8/8 like in the contract that we signed at front), and a lot of damage around the car that the officer SHOULD MARK THEM ALL AT FIRST on the contract before letting us drive it out from their facility (they did mark on some damage, but not to all the damage appeared on the car) If we was not careful enough, we might end up have to pay for somebody damage, and 1/8 of gas that's not really topped up.
I would never recommend anyone that I know hiring the car from AVIS in Australia! Check it out from website there's a lot of other brand name services that offered the car for hiring with about the same or even at lower price, and I'm pretty sure you'd have a better choice than mine!
UPDATE 19/12/07 : AVIS finally refunded me the different of $59.00 for overcharging at Avalon Airport, although need to wait for 15 days. So, I hereby would like to add "online customer services" on "Pros" for this AVIS review & Rerate this hiring from 2/5 to 3/5 stars "AVERAGE" !
Strangely, the refund was granted by AVIS USA. Thanks to AVIS USA !!!
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
techtwo
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Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
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