I was totally stuck in Raleigh after my car was stolen from a Hotel.
I was only visiting for two days and wasn't prepared for this type of situation.
I tried to rent from Hertz first, but they will only rent if you have a major credit card with you. I didn't bring mine with me. I was only visiting 2 hours away and wasn't planning to make any major purchases.
Then I looked online for a company that took either cash or debit cards. My only goal was to get home. I found yesyoucanrent.com. In my mind, I thought there must be a catch since their prices seemed lower than Hertz even though they took cash as an option.
When I arrived, the Front Desk Agent was rude and is totally lacking in Customer Service. It was all about him. This was a sign for me to leave, but once again I was stuck in Raleigh and just wanted to get home.
I completed the paperwork and gave him my money, even though he said the only thing available was starting at $55 per day SUV's. Everything else was either at the same price or higher. They didn't have any compact or midsize cars on their lot, only 1 Lincoln Towncar, a couple of SUV's and Van's. Nothing like their website advertises. The guy said that you have to prepay in order to get a small car reserved for you. I bet you do!
Nonetheless, I rented the $55 SUV (Jeep Compass with 90,000 miles) and out of pocket I had to pay $213.29, which included a $150 deposit. The rest was for the car. Ripoff! I was desperate and wasn't thinking clearly. I drove off in the car and even came back once because the gears weren't switching right. But of course, the Front Desk Guy said it was working properly. I tried to make it work, even tried to find a solution for the "stink" that came from inside the suv. It smelled like funk on top of funk. It was awful. I kept my nose pinched while I was driving in an effort to try to make it home. I just couldn't do it, and the Jeep just didn't sound like it was going to make it all the way.
I returned the Jeep and asked for my money back. The Front Desk Guy stated that I wasn't eligible. He said I signed a contract. Keep in mind that this all happened within 30 minutes or so. Then I told him that I just signed this with you less than 30 minutes or so, and I want my money back. I told him the condition of the car is bad, and he doesn't have any other viable options. He refused to give me my money back. Earlier he said he was a "Partner" in the business that started in February 2013 or so, but he said he needed to call the Owner to see if she will give me my money back. He said the only thing I was able to get back was the $150 deposit. Then when he talked to her a few times because I kept asking for my money back, she agreed to give me $150 deposit plus $25 back. This was all she was willing to give back out of $213.29.
I cried like I've never cried before. I explained that you know I am stuck and my car was taken, how can you treat me in this manner. Please do the right thing. They still refused to. Then they tried to offer to take me to the other location that was 20 minutes away to get another car. Then I talked to the Owner, Rhonda, who showed no compassion for my situation. She said she would only give me $25 back plus the $150 deposit. This whole situation took at least 1.5 hours to 2 hours. Finally, I agreed to take one of the oversized cars on the lot, so I could get back home. Then they started trying to find reasons not to rent to me, i.e. let's try to make sure we contact each and every of the 7 references she listed. Let's make sure everything is verified. Keep in mind they have already given me a car and when I returned it and asked for a refund, which they refused to give me, I agree to their terms, and now they are trying to find reasons not to let me rent the other car. I had enough and I called the police. While on the phone with the police, they decided to do the right thing and give me my money back.
My advice is to avoid this company! Do not do business with people who treat customers in this manner. Do your research first. Stick with reputable companies.
Good luck!