Dear Sir/Madam:

I realize that Hertz claims to provide exemplary services to its customers, but this letter is intended to provide Hertz notice of the fact that in my particular case Hertz fell far short of such a self-serving boast which in all candor proved to be hollow as more particularly set forth in the remarks which follow with respect to my particular case.

Suffice to say, the Hertz vehicle which I rented on or about July 8, 2009 was less than adequate inasmuch as there was no oil in the engine when the vehicle was delivered to me and as a result therefor it was simply a matter of time within the rental period of 30 days that there would be a major problem, which in fact ensued. On or about August 8, 2009 the vehicle began to exhibit smoke coming from under the hood which obliged me to stop the vehicle several times on the side of the road to allow the engine to cool off and thereafter that same day when I brought the vehicle to a gas station to be inspected, I was informed much to my consternation by the attendant, that there was "no oil in the engine."

As a result of the foregoing, I was incurred a loss of $ in anticipated wages as I could not make several appointments later that day with respect to my working schedule. The foregoing was next compounded by Herb Chambers dealership failure to timely comply on August 13, 2009 with its commitment relative to the intended pick up of the vehicle which resulted in an inordinate delay causing me to further lose time from work and to suffer unnecessary anxiety and stress.

In light of the foregoing circumstances, I am entitled to be compensated for both my lost wages in the sum of $ and commensurate damages for the anxiety and stress that I suffered as a proximate result of the less than satisfactory contractual commitments of Hertz, its agents or servants.

Accordingly, unless I receive compensatory damages in the sum of $ no later than 14 days after receipt of this correspondence I intend to file an appropriate claim with a court of competent jurisdiction.


Very truly yours,

Sally Wynn

Hertz's website is currently advertising a 50% off weekend rental. However they hide the fact that coupons are limited for major cities depending on demand. What's the point? Might as well be fraudulent

The Company that WON’T pick you up:

Tourist is stranded almost 3 hours in a mountain snowfall while
Hertz Rental Car Company does nothing

Today Robert Pelshaw of Omaha NE filed complaints with the FTC, the BBB, and the Colorado State Attorney General’s Office to investigate Hertz Rental Car (Rental Record M44683531) due to their negligence and breach of contract so egregious it puts the public in danger.

On Sunday December 14th Pelshaw and his group of five friends were returning from a ski trip in Keystone Colorado when the 2009 Chrysler Aspen SUV they rented developed transmission problems and stalled on Interstate 70 in the mountains near Idaho Springs CO during a mountain snow fall and Arctic temperatures. “I called Roadside Assistance to tell them I was broken down and that we need replacement transportation or picked up. The representative spent all of his time trying to confirm the condition of the car, even after being told him that ‘the transmission is not working in any gear and there is a puddle of transmission fluid on the ground.’ ” The representative’s only response was to say to call a taxi, or go to shelter, even after being informed that the travelers were not in a town, didn’t know where to call for a taxi or go for shelter, and that it was snowing and the temperature was 6’ F. The Hertz Representative then said they would call back. During subsequent calls Hertz was repeatedly asked “What is your plan to rescue us? We are in the elements in the boonies, we could be in serious danger unless you honor your contract and come and pick us up.” In the course of 2.5 hours after numerous conversations with various people at Hertz “24 Hour Roadside Assistance” never dispatched a replacement vehicle or a ride to pick up the stranded tourists. Thankfully a Good Samaritan came that took them to the McDonald’s in Idaho Springs.

During the first 2.5 hours of the ordeal Hertz Roadside Assistance never offered anything more than for the travelers to call a taxi at their expense, even after being repeatedly informed that being in Idaho Springs and being from out of town the travelers did not know where to find a taxi; even after the Hertz representative was asked since they were in an office and had access to the internet and a phone book, why couldn’t they honor their rental agreement and at least call replacement transportation? It was only after more than 2.5 hours did Hertz offer to send a taxi at their expense. Sensing that Hertz 24 Hour Roadside Assistance was an oxymoron the stranded travelers were able to find a shuttle service to which they paid $350 to transport them to the airport. Needless to say they missed the scheduled time of their flight. Do you think Hertz is picking up those costs? Absolutely not, despite numerous requests. Allen from Hertz DIA (303.342.3800) then called, over 2.5 hours after first calling Hertz, to let them know that Hertz could hire a taxi service for pick up at no charge, despite previously stating that the travelers would have to pay the cost. Allen was then asked “when was the taxi dispatched?’ The only answer was to say that the car could be there in an hour. Allen was then asked “Why did you wait over 2.5 hours to order a car for us? I since contacted my own rental service, will you reimburse for that?” The representative from Hertz continually refused to reimburse this expense, despite pleas for help.

What is so frightening and angering about how Hertz handled this situation is their lack of prudent action proves they dangerously have no regard for the safety of the public. What if the break down was at night, outside in a snowstorm and 6’ weather? What if there was no Good Samaritan to rescue them from the side of the interstate? What if the traveler didn’t have the resources to hire their own transport?

Clearly this is a case of Breach of Contract, Misrepresentation that they have an emergency roadside service, and Negligence so egregious that action must be taken by the State to protect its citizens and to help protect the tourist economy that is so vital in Colorado.

On 02/16/08 thru 02/18/08 per Geico's permission (Geico claim) I rented a car from Hertz. When I arrived at the Hertz's office I spoke with Matt who went over the information regarding the rental car and asked me for my driver's license & debit card. When Matt asked for my debit card I hesitated because I knew I did not have any money in my account. I stated to Matt that I did not want to give him my debit card because it was a claim and I did not have any money in my account. Matt stated " Oh No madam, we are not going to use your debit card we need the card number on file to let you use the car. I gave Matt the card number and left. On 02/28/08 $24.48 was taken off my debit card by Hertz, Hampton Virginia. Because I did not have any funds in my account it caused a domino effect that caused my account to be overdrawn $89.13. I do have a copy of my bank account records. Matt did not contact me to ask permission or to acknowledge that money was taken from my account. On 03/05/08 I spoke with a representative in the Hertz office who assured me I would hear back from Hertz in 5 to 7 business days, by email, at no avail. On 03/19/08 I called Hertz in Hampton and spoke to Teri(she stated she was the assistance Manager) who argued in regards to MATT working with her (performance) every day. Teri kept insisting that I was raising my voice to the point of hanging the phone up on me. She was very unprofessional. Teri had no concern that my rights had been violated. She did not take into consideration that Matt said nothing to me at pick-up or return about any monies being deducted from my account. Also I have called Butch (Hertz Manager, Mercury Blvd) to inquire about this situation since approx. 03/04/08 and still have not received a call. Please assist me because I feel very violated. I feel I was not given the complete details of the car rental. I feel if any monies was taken from my account it should have been clearly explained. Of course I am very upset, I have been dealing with this ordeal since the first of March 2008.