Two weeks ago, on our trip to Europe, we rented a car from Avis at the Munich airport. Upon receiving the car, the paperwork showed no damage. The cars are picked up a fair distance from the desk in a poorly-lit multistory garage. There is no attendant at the location you pick up the car. We walked around the car and it looked fine. We returned it back a week later and within 15-seconds of us stopping, the lady who received the car identified a chip on the windshield. The chip is the size of tip of a ball-point pen. How do I know? The letter identifying the damage has several pictures attached and is using a ball-point pen to point to the damage. The repair charge is 750 Euros. My complaint is two-fold: 1) as a driver, I would definitely notice a rock hitting my windshield especially if it causes a damage. I had no rock hitting any part of the car. Further, the speed with which the attendant zoomed on the tiny chip on the windshield leads me to believe, she knew it was there. 2) let's assume for the moment that the damage occurred while the car was in my possession. 750 Euros for damage of this extent is excessive beyond belief. My conclusion is that not only Avis will not repair it, they will keep it ready for the next customer to hit them with the same "damage".

Has this happened to anyone else? I’m seriously considering looking at filing a class action. I rented a car from Avis through Hotwire, and when I went to the counter, the agent kept trying to “up sell” me on everything but I said no. When she was going through the options, she either showed me on the form how much the insurance would be and I said no that’s ok, and then she gave me the form to initial.

I asked her why it said $105 instead of the $52 that I paid through Hotwire and she said they didn’t know how much I paid through Hotwire but that was the Avis charge in their system and that I would only have to pay what I paid Hotwire. Well, when I went back a few days later to return the car, I saw they’d charged me this same $105. I couldn’t figure out why, and so I disputed the charge.

They took off a $15 charge for going over the time – the manager said even though I brought it back at the contract time, I picked it up an hour early so they should have adjusted my return time, so he waived that fee. But I was talking about the whole thing, not $15. The manager shows me where I had allegedly agreed to insurance at a cost of more than I paid for the car – $90. (I realized that this $90 plus the $15 equals the $105 initial payment I saw, which makes the initial $15 “late” charge also suspect, unless they knew somehow I’d bring it back “late.”)

I explained that the agent either circled that herself when she was showing me the options or circled it after I signed because I have never in my life purchased insurance for a car rental since I have my own. We had just gotten a rental car the other day and also declined the insurance. I did notice that Enterprise (the rental company we got a car from a few days prior) also tried to up sell us on options and even asked what my deductible is, like he was trying to scare me into buying the insurance. I’m thinking this must happen a lot.

Avis gauged me, increasing my bill by 15%. I returned the car from filling it across the street. "7/8s full, " they said. Ten bars on the meter and the last one was half down. With hundred degree weather, gas expansion and all it might be 1/20 down. A half gallon max. I was charged for two gallons at 7.99 a gallon. "You want me to top it off, " I asked, "at risk of inhaling toxic fumes?" I was warned they charged an exorbitant amount if the tank wasn't filled. But filled they still charged me for two gallons. Corporate policy. Nothing they could do. "But the truth of the situation is something different, " I argued. They held fast in their dishonesty.

To keep it short, my family went to florida on spring break. Rented from AVIS, didn't get the car we rented and had to rent a step up costing $100 more. Upon our return was charged $140 for having sand in the car. We went to the beach twice and each time showered our feet before getting back into the car...bottom line don't rent AVIS CARS. EVER.

I'm a preferred member and up until the last six months, sevice has been great - now the mistakes and errors Avis is making is driving me away

1. I've had to go to the counter and stand in line 3 out of 3 times when picking up a car.

2. Avis has added a $13 to my bill for fuel service if I drive the car less than 57 miles WITHOUT asking me if I bought gas - hey, it's cheaper for you AND me if you ASK...did you buy gas before you put the charge on my bill and I have to reverse it with a phone call to your customer support. I can do things too that screw up your day, just like you screw me

3. Avis lot boss in Atlanta (Fri, 2/6) has his head where it doesn't belong. He's allowing cars to build up at returns so it blocks the bus to take us to the airport (nearly an half hour wait for that problem)

4. The person receiving cars at atlanta doesn't understand the concept of fill each queue in order --- people had to wait 10 to 15 minutes because others coming in after were put into an open lane

AVIS - I had come to depend on your dependable, efficent service. Your screwing up and falling behind. It can't be good for your future.