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Author: Subject: National Rental Car La Paz - SCAM
Natalie Ann
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 09:52 AM
National Rental Car La Paz - SCAM


Before leaving on vacation I reserved online an intermediate size rental car with National Car Rental, La Paz. The price was very good - $204 per week online price.

When I picked up the car, the front driver's side light and turn signal and their plastic casing was broken, car had a bad dent in front same area. I said 'this won't do' and asked for another car. Alan told me he would have a different same-sized car the next day at 4, and said he would hold it for my exchange.

6 days later I have been to National everyday at appointed time (10 a.m., 4 p.m., 9 a.m., noon, etc.).... they say each day that they have no other car either downtown or at the airport. They offer me a very tiny economy car and want $100 per week more for the rental. (costs more to rent here than from US, they say)

Yesterday I told them that I will not pay more for another car and want a refund to my credit card, that I'll rent elsewhere. They refuse refund saying that since I have not "completed my contract", all monies are theirs. Loud voices, then silencio.... after which they agree to refund my money.... but want to charge the daily rate of $80 plus insurance PER DAY for the 6 days I've had car. That's still more money than I paid for two weeks rental.

The rental agent (not Alan) starts laughing and says that if I don't want an economy car at $100/week more, he can give me the upgrade which Alan promised me yesterday - but it will cost me another $600. Loud laughing continues as I walk out the door. I am furious but leave with car, as I have no other transportation.

Yes, I am contacting my credit card company to see if they can help work this out. No, I cannot rent elsewhere at an affordable price as the online discount is for weekly rentals and I don't have enough time left for a full two weeks.

I'm not gonna let this ruin my good time in La Paz.... but it certainly has put a damper on it. I cannot drive anywhere after dark, I have no front left turn signal, and have spent hours at National.

I strongly advise folks avoid National Car Rental. This is a scam. They rent cars they don't have, then refuse refunds or exchanges to what was promised.

Anybody knows of someone/agency in La Paz I should speak to about this, please let me know.

Nena




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CaboRon
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 09:58 AM


Just wait until you turn it in.....

They will then try to charge you for the damage to the car....

CaboRon




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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:00 AM


There is a tourist complaint office on Abasolo, (the highway to the north) about half way to the airport. It's near the Specialties Medical Center on the south side. Maybe someone else know more?
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Natalie Ann
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:09 AM


CaboRon.... I may appear dumb, but I did not just fall off the hay wagon. Have written confirmation from them (signed by two agents) that car was damaged when rented. I made them record every single small ding and scratch.

twogringos - Thank you. Just what I was hoping for.

Nena




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bajajazz
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:20 AM


It might be worth it to take the complaint to Profeco, our local version of a consumer protection agency. They have been known to make some effective phone calls. They're located on Jalisco near Madero.

Also, there was once a tourist-aid office on the Malecon at the foot of Diez y Seis, may still be there. I received some fast help from an interpreter there dealing with a robbery that involved the Ministerio Publico. Nice people, kind of makes up for the scum who prey on tourists. Car rental employees seem to be unusually venal and corrupt, arrogant too.
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:23 AM


Had similar problems with Thrifty in La Paz.

I'm also very anti Alamo Car rentals. I've never rented from the La Paz office but we live close to their "car washing" lot. Very poor neighbors. Very loud music from dawn until late night at times. Some of the 'music' is very vulgar rap with F word used repeatedly.

Lots of hollering, screaming, honking and racing in and out of the dirt driveway.

They did get rid (or maybe it died) of the dog they were starving on the lot but now have another one to starve. Poor thing howls a lot.




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BMG
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:26 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Natalie Ann
CaboRon.... I may appear dumb, but I did not just fall off the hay wagon. Have written confirmation from them (signed by two agents) that car was damaged when rented. I made them record every single small ding and scratch.

twogringos - Thank you. Just what I was hoping for.

Nena


I also take photos of the rental from all angles and make sure to get the agent in at least some of the pics.




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Natalie Ann
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:35 AM


BMG.... I wanted pix and the camera batteries were dead. Next time I'll check those BEFORE renting a car. sigh.

Anyhoo.... I knew I'd get some helpful info from Nomads. I'm off to both Tourist Complaints and PROFECO now. Silly way to spend a day, but I'm too annoyed to let it pass. Thank you all for the advice.

Nena

(edit for spelling)

[Edited on 5-15-2008 by Natalie Ann]




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CaboRon
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:38 AM


I also had trouble with Alamo, in dntwn Cabo San Lucas.

Had to walk away from the rental and use cabs all week ... and even at Cabo rates it proved to be cheaper than the modified contract that they proposed ...

Are the stateside offices of these companies interested ... maybe they could threaten their franchises ....

CaboRon




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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:44 AM


Renting a vehicle in Mexico is a different animal then what we are used to.
I remember in the 70's renting a van with for a bunch of us on a fishing trip. The agent, on Abosolo, handed me the keys, pointed to a volkswagon van accros the street and told me' There you go, have fun"
Vehicle had two, that is 2, flat tires.
But then another time, a friend and I, spend a week in La Paz, also a fishing trip, and got a car from Hertz, put on his credit card, and were never charged.
Mexican efficiency personified. :biggrin:




I think my photographic memory ran out of film


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vandenberg
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:48 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Natalie Ann





I cannot drive anywhere after dark, I have no front left turn signal.


Nena


If that would keep the average Mexican from driving at night, the roads would be pretty much empty.:biggrin:




I think my photographic memory ran out of film


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sd
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 10:50 AM


Natalie Ann,

Good for you to fight back!

If you provide some details (contract number), many of us will write National asking why you were treated poorly.

Good luck.
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 11:00 AM


Had a problem with Avis in Cancun (wanted 2 hours, plus full day's insurance when I turned car in 20 minutes after the agreed time on contract. 2 hours, per hour rate, was more than a day with weekly rate). I wrote to Avis online, and told them the story - told them I'd never rent from them again, blah, blah. They credited me the entire charge beyond my agreed contract price.
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 11:05 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
Had a problem with Avis in Cancun (wanted 2 hours, plus full day's insurance when I turned car in 20 minutes after the agreed time on contract. 2 hours, per hour rate, was more than a day with weekly rate). I wrote to Avis online, and told them the story - told them I'd never rent from them again, blah, blah. They credited me the entire charge beyond my agreed contract price.


Exactly my point, if Alamo has to repeatedly keep paying for their namesakes screwups maybe they will start pulling franchises.

CAboRon




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sd
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 11:08 AM


Nomads,

Lets all PLEASE help Natalie Ann.

I just e mailed Laura Bryant at National and explained Natalie is having a problem RIGHT NOW, to please help. I feel that all of us should e mail until Natalie is satisfied.

National rental car
Laura Bryant
Manager, Public Relations
laura.t.bryant@erac.com
(314) 512-4178

Corporate Headquaters;
National Car Rentals
6929 North Lakewood Avenue Suite 100
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74117-1608

Lets see what a group of Nomads can do to convince National Car Rentals we should be treated as valued customers!
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 11:26 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by sd
Nomads,

Lets all PLEASE help Natalie Ann.

I just e mailed Laura Bryant at National and explained Natalie is having a problem RIGHT NOW, to please help. I feel that all of us should e mail until Natalie is satisfied.

National rental car
Laura Bryant
Manager, Public Relations
laura.t.bryant@erac.com
(314) 512-4178

Corporate Headquaters;
National Car Rentals
6929 North Lakewood Avenue Suite 100
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74117-1608

Lets see what a group of Nomads can do to convince National Car Rentals we should be treated as valued customers!


Just sent off an email. If this works I may request a similar campaign to Alamo. They've ignored any complaints that I've made.




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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 11:32 AM


When I rented a car in La Paz I had an email from the national headquarters in Minnesota. The mexican car rental people were giving me the run around until I produced the letter. They treated me well after that. They did not want to lose there franchise.
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 11:49 AM


I am in the process of writing an email as well ( we have friends who often rent vehicles for their TS vacation)... I thought I should at least have the right name... Natalie Ann or Nena?????



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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 04:50 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Natalie Ann
XThey rent cars they don't have, then refuse refunds or exchanges to what was promised.


Natalie,

That's common here as well. You seldom are given the car you reserve on the internet. They give you what's available at the time and charge you as per original agreement.

However, if you ask for something different than your agreement you are charged considerably more than what you would have been charged if made the agreement on your new car.

Basically it works like this. Before you make the agreement you're in the driver's seat and can get a good deal. Once you've commited to a vehicle with cash they're in a more powerful position and charge you more than the car's worth.

The advantage here in the US is that you can exchange a car due to problems you describe without problems. They do have a reputation to uphold.

I think your best bet is to make do with what you originally got. Once you drove the car off the lot the balance of power shifted.

Your experience comes with the territory of traveling in latin america. I remember one episode in Cuzco, Peru. My taxi was going to take me to the airport but was running late. Finally he showed up and assured me that we still had enough time to make the departure if we just hurried. About halfway to the airport the driver has a flat and, guess what, - no spare tire. He jacks up the car and we both run to the nearest tire shop to have it patched. Slam, bam - we run back with the wheel, replace it. He floors his little car and we screech up to the terminal. Guess what? The good thing is the whole nation is like that. The airline is late also so they cancel each other out and I make the departure. It's just different down there. When in Rome do as the Romans ....
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Natalie Ann
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[*] posted on 5-15-2008 at 07:03 PM


It's evening and I have calmed down over this issue. I very much appreciate everyone's concern and assistance.

I did a few things this morning.... called my card company and reported a problem, asked if they might speak to National Car Mexico - they will. I also called the National Car Mexico consumer help line and explained to them - mentioning in my first and last sentences the names PROFECO, my VISA card, and LP Office of Tourist complaints. They seemed concerned and said they'd phone me back when a new car is ready for pickup.

Did some things around the house here, then after 1-1/2 hour with no call... I decided pretty much what Igor said - stuff happens and I'm wasting perfectly good vacation time trying to get my way. I don't like driving after dark and would best be back in LP by dark.

So I spent most of the day at the beach and all my frustration just dissolved. Thanks again for the concern and advice, nomigos... all will be just fine.

I will, however, never ever rent from National again.
It's back to riding the bus for me.:yes::dudette:

Nena




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