I worked for Europcar as a driver in the UK and I met with victimization and discrimination (I'm not English). I complained about it a lot, but mostly to no avail. Eventually, I was made redundant, which didn't surprise me. The official reasons for redundancy were absolutely unfair. Incredibly, one of them was even my grievance in which I complained about being discriminated against. Again, that was one of the official reasons for redundancy! I think this explains everything.

I've already filed 2 grievances against Europcar to an Employment Tribunal in Liverpool, one regarding discrimination and the other-unfair dismissal. Overall, Europcar is a very bad employer-disregard for workers' rights and safety, unprofessionalism and poor man-management. My advice-beware of Europcar, especially if you're not white and British. It's amazing what they're capable of. v

My recent experience with this car rental company...

I have booked & used the car over the weekend 6-9 March 2009 in Brisbane . I have picked it up at the airport on Friday 6 March '09 and was given a condition report which had a couple of scratches mentioned in the Existing Damage section. I've noticed both scratches before driving the car and even pointed out one of them (a big scratch with peeled paint on the front bumper) to my partner who was traveling with me at that time. Knowing that the scratches were mentioned in the report, I took-off without the 2nd thought.

When returning the car on Monday 9 March 2009, I was pointed out to that front bumper scratch by the car inspector. I told him that it was in the condition report before I've picked up the car. His reply was that it's a ‘REAR BUMPER' scratch and not ‘FRONT BUMPER' scratch that was in the condition report. Only then I have realized that I didn't pay any attention to the location of the mentioned scratches (‘front' / ‘rear') when checking out the car before driving it.

When examined the rear bumper, there were NO any scratches found on it. I told the car inspector that it must had been a mistake when someone at the office was entering a description for the current scratches and that the scratch was already on the bumper before the car was used by myself (another person has witnessed it). He took the paperwork to the office and passed it on to the clerk who advised me that this would be checked and I would be notified in case of any problems.

I didn't hear from Europcar and 2 days later realized that I've been charged the amount of $516.14 on 11/3/09 for something I have not done. That was without any prior advice, notification or discussion with myself which I believe was rather unprofessional.

Contacted the manager & spoke with Customer Relationship Officer - lead to absolutely nothing. Apparently, they told me that there WAS a scratch on the REAR bumper previously but it has been fixed but not updated in the system and therefore it was still appearing on the condition report. They told me that they calledme (a lie!) but my phone was switched-off (it never is!); they also told me that they'd send me an receipt for the 'damage' found for the amount charged ($516) - never got one!.. Briefly, they told me that it was my fault not to declare the damage before I drove the car and everything after - it's my responsibility!!!

Never again myself or anyone of my colleagues and friends would rent with Europcar!! By scramming collecting my $516, they have lost instantly quite a lot of customers for years to come!!! I've been told a few stories about Europcar in particular but now I'm convinced that they are just a bunch of people who wouldn't give a 'rat's ass' about the customers and providing a good customer service!! Don't use them or... abuse them if you can!!!

I hired a car on the Europcar "boom er rang" contract. It was never out of my sight except when I left it at Gatwick North terminal at 4 a.m.as instructed, ther was no one to check it off. On return from holiday I found that I been surcharged £135.00 for a cut tyre., for which no evidence, no prior call and above all no reply for 4 weeks from customer care. This is a rip off and there are a number of people who have been caught by this scam. Don't use them and whatever you do don't leave the car without it being checked and signed off .

I rented a car in 2008 from EuropCar in Marseille. The rental included a GPS, which I was instructed by the Agent to leave in the glove box when I returned the vehicle (if the office was closed). I did as instructed, but sensing a problem I tried to protect myself by taking photos as evidence. Several weeks later I received a €400 charge for the GPS. Afterward I contacted EuropCar on numerous occasions, showed them my documented photo evidence, asked them for cooperation in investigating other possible explanations for the lost GPS, but was treated rudely by their Agents and ignored by their Corporate Management.

In an effort to clear up the matter, I lodged a dispute with my Credit Card Company and explained my position. Thankfully the Credit Card Company agreed with my version of events and removed the €400 charge, saying that EuropCar acted badly. Furthermore, the Credit Card Company Agent confided in me that EuropCar is notorious for this type of behavior and congratulated me for standing up to them.

I thought the matter was done. But 6 months later, despite the Credit Card Company's verdict, I was contacted by EuropCar and advised that they still want €400. And if I don’t pay up immediately then they would put my name on a "blacklist" so I can never rent a car again in Europe. When that failed to scare me, EuropCar hired a French debt collector who is threatening me with legal action in the US if I don’t pay up.

Throughout the whole process my impression of EuropCar is that they are rude to clients, they ignore attempts at reasonable dialogue, and they’re greedy. EuropCar simply want their money in spite of the facts, and they use fear and intimidation (verbal abuse, harassing letters, and threats) to wear clients down and frighten them into settling. However, thanks to websites like this, EuropCar’s reputation can be exposed and potential victims of EuropCar will learn what kind of company they’re dealing with and hopefully avoid my experience.

I had a hire car from Europcar Italy for two years. My contract was to hire a VW Passat for the total two years. Halfway through the second year the Car Rental Office telephoned me and insisted that I take an Italian car. I was very unhappy about this as I consider Italian cars to be unreliable.

I had to take the Italian car and during my family holiday in Austria, the car broke down. I telephoned Europcar, Bergamo Airport and their representative told me not to drive the car. Europcar then sent a tow truck out to collect the car and left me and my family stranded in Austria.

One month later, Europcar charged me 400 euros for the car being returned to a foreign office?????