This is my story of how Enterprise Rent-a-Car at the Minot, ND airport is ripping me off.
I rented a car and arrived around 11:00 PM to pick up the car. There was only one person working there and she rented the car to me. It was a fairly new vehicle with only 11000 miles so I was not overly concerned about previous damage. While, I was securing my rental, a previous customer came in and complainied about damage on her rental that she just got, the Enterprsies employee disagreed and gave her a photocopy of what they consider to be damages and sent her on her way. This should have been my first clue that something was up.
I then went to the parkig lot (~ 11:30 PM) and could only find my car by pressing the remote and looking for the car with lights on. The parking lot was a gravel lot and was very poorly lit. None the less, I loaded my luggage and did a walk around to examine the car for previous damage. I could not see anthing as it was very dark in the poorly lit parking lot.
I then proceeded to drive to my hotel in Minot (~5 minute drive) and checked in for the night. The next morning, I was on my way and ~ 100 mile into my journey (all paved roads), I noticed a 2 to 3 inch crack on the lower left hand corner of the windshield. I immediately looked at my contract and it clearly said I had to report any damage 'while on the enterprise premises'. It appeared to be too late to go back as it would have impacted my schedule (my mother was deathly ill and I was on the way to see her).
I completed my trip and returned the car 1 week later. I immediately told the rental agent about the windshield and the fact that the damage was there when I initially rented the car. He immediatley said I would be charged for the damage. I told him that it was impossible to see the damage in the extremely poorly lit car lot and that that was an unfair practise. The agent (Matt Blank) then told me that I shoud have taken the car to well lit area and checked it out with better lighting. I told him that that action was contrary to the Enterprise Rental agreement (as the damage HAD to be reported while on the Enterprise Car lot premises). He then said it was NOT the fault of Enterprise because the Rental lot lighting was poor and suggested that I take up my issue with the Minot airport authority. I suggested to him that Enterprise is responsible for doing this as I had nothing to do with the agreement between the Minot Airport and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Matt Blank then said there was no way his cleaning staff would have missed damage like that, although he had not even contacted them to confirm that (at the time). He basicly said that I would have to pay the deductible and that my insurance would have to cover the rest, and I had no further say in the matter. I did my best to explain what happened but Matt Blank of Enterprise Rent-A-Car would not listen or offer any dispute mechanism.
I summary, I want to say that I have no problem with paying for damages that I have caused to this or any rental vehicle. In this case, I have been the victim of an Enterprise process that was next to impossible for me to avoid being ripped off.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
St. Louis,#2UPDATE Employee
Wed, August 13, 2014
We’ve taken note of your concern and would like the opportunity to discuss this with you further. Please send a detailed email to [email protected] including your contact information, your rental agreement or reservation number and any further information regarding your experience with us.
When emailing, please list Reference Number 140813-002736 in the subject line. We look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Chris
Social Media
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
St. Louis,#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, August 13, 2014
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We take customer service seriously and would like to look into your experience at the Minot Airport. Please email the complete details including your full name, contact information and any reservation or rental agreement numbers to [email protected].
When emailing, please use the reference number 140813-002663 in the subject line.
Regards,
Michelle
Social Monitoring Coordinator
Enterprise Rent A Car