Enterprise Warning

The company is well--interesting. They sell young graduates on the idea that they can be rich in a few years. So, they work them to the bone--train them "their way," and make them work some more for a low 30k or so. The employees have to wash puke out of cars wearing suits! Seriously--that is what the founder says--suits. They pay these college grads something small on an hourly basis. They expect them to work a lot. And...if they don't earn the minimum-- was 30k in a year, they make good on paying the difference. However, they work em' to the bone, so I doubt this happens.

Only way to get the money is to work hard to beat your peers--only a few make it. They make it by selling insurance and meaningless upgrades to the top. All of this so they can be a manager and get a piece of the pie. Then, a regional manager and get a piece of the region's pie. It is all about numbers. Beat the office down the road? Your office magically gets a pizza party. And in the end, what are they doing any differently than any other company? Probably nothing.

It is just too bad it is all about the numbers--not about the older fashioned way...building a relationship.

I won't rent from them--

srl99 said: Rent from whoever is cheapest. They sometimes have 9.xx/day weekend specials.

With lots of red tape. My friend did a deal like that from Alamo and they charged him extra (the normal rate) since her returned it a day early even though he had prepaid for the weekend. When he asked for the car back to return it at the "correct time" they told him. "The computer won't let me do that." Alamo sucks as bad as any of them.

ryryfree said: srl99 said: Rent from whoever is cheapest. They sometimes have 9.xx/day weekend specials.

With lots of red tape. My friend did a deal like that from Alamo and they charged him extra (the normal rate) since her returned it a day early even though he had prepaid for the weekend. When he asked for the car back to return it at the "correct time" they told him. "The computer won't let me do that." Alamo sucks as bad as any of them.

it is up to the renter to read the rental agreement. Charges for returning late or early (especially if a Sat. night is required to fulfill the terms of the weekend rental.

If they are spelled out and you get charged, don't crap on Alamo or Enterprise. Don't sign something if you don't know what you are signing!

If those charges are not spelled out in writing, then you simply dispute the difference on your credit card and save your paperwork as backup.

Overcharged,contact your credit card & open a dispute through them. Let them have a swing in the battle. Your doing the right thing, remember Document the Evidence! Then send it to the CC company Good Luck

TrinSF said: One guy, who honestly seems like a bit of a jerk, is having a bad experience. Well, actually, it's not clear to me that he's having a bad experience from what he's posted. Are you suggesting that based on this one rude guy's bad experience, one should not rent from Enterprise?

If you are, then let me counter that I've had dozens and dozens of positive experiences with Enterprise. I've rented with them regularly for several years now. Even when I had a concern, it was rapidly taken care of. Does my experience count as much? Would it count more if I had a blog devoted to it?

I've spent years in customer service; I'm also the kind of customer that makes sure companies know when I'm not happy. From both sides of the equation I've learned that escalating rudeness doesn't get results. The blog poster starts off with a slightly pushy tone, and gets more and more rude. Sucks for him, but it doesn't mean that Enterprise is somehow a terrible company.

hmm newish member who doesn't post much, comes in and defend enterprise, which enterprise location do you work at?

I love my local Enterprise. I usually rent their weekend 50% off special and have never had problems. My last car was a bit dirty and I mentioned it to the guy when I returned the car. He gave me his card for free upgrade next time.

Any time I rent a car from Enterprise (only because the rate is excellent), I do a detailed walk around and document every scratch. Enterprise is known to hit customers for anything & everything, never had such problems with Hertz.

kfer said: I interviewed at Enterprise when i graduated from college. It was very rigorious, 3 seperate interview with varying levels of management. Their culture there is cut throat. They get ranked on their stats and they are public throughout the region to all employees. The only way you make any kind of money is if you start your own branch, but you need to purchase your own cars, and get little support from corporate while paying high franchise fees. I tell anybody to stay far away from this company in regards to employment.

Also I hate how pushy they are when i used to make the mistake of renting from them, and once the car smelled like pee.

http://www.failingenterprise.com/forums/index.php

I have done a lot of car rentals over the years. My last one with Enterprise (2004) very much sticks out. I was actually on a fun trip in Orlando with my two boys. We were also picking up one more friend so there would have been 4 of us. I had gotten a great rate on an standard size SUV that would hold all of us and our 'stuff' comfortably. When I arrived at the counter, I gave them my name. They send me out in the lot to get a PT Cruiser?? Huh...this is NOT a standard sized SUV. I went back in, showed my paperwork again and disputed this vehicle. It was not big enough for the 4 of us, luggage, etc. The guy argues with me that it IS as big as a standared size SUV. I'm not sure if he smoked crack that day or what but there was no comparison. Anyhow, we were running out of time and patience so I ended up driving off with this vehicle (not happy either). I wrote a nice big letter as soon as I returned home to Enterprise. I don't even remember getting an apology? Anyhow, that was my LAST rental with them. I normally use National, Dollar or sometimes Avis and have had zero problems.

Their (EP) customer service is very much lacking...in fact that day, it was zero.

my 2cents..
Yzguy

pulokk23 said: ryryfree said: srl99 said: Rent from whoever is cheapest. They sometimes have 9.xx/day weekend specials.

With lots of red tape. My friend did a deal like that from Alamo and they charged him extra (the normal rate) since her returned it a day early even though he had prepaid for the weekend. When he asked for the car back to return it at the "correct time" they told him. "The computer won't let me do that." Alamo sucks as bad as any of them.

Obviously they should have let the customer keep the car until the correct return time, but I'm guessing the CSA had already processed the return in the system. Customer should have asked to talk with a manager or call corporate to see if they'd cut him slack, before walking out.

But is it new to people that you get charged extra to return a rental car (e.g. a day) early? It isn't spelled out on rental contracts that an extra fee or increased rate can apply with early returns?

I have no problem with neophytes being initially unaware of how rental car companies operate, but seriously, folks, it is your responsibility to be aware of the terms of what you sign.

Believe me. He did talk to the manager. She wouldn't budge. He never rents cars. He just rented one for a trip out of state. I just think it is rediculous that companies make big dollars off of tricking people. It is also rediculous that they wouldn't give him his car back. It was right there. "The computer won't let me" is a horrible problem in business today. He wasn't going to be a big spender with their company, but he will never give them another dime because of this. It makes good business since to treat customers well so they come back... even if it is not that often.