CF
Christian Figueroa
Jul 22, 2026
Over the course of three consecutive days, I had the opportunity to experience two very different levels of customer service from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and the difference between the Hawthorne, NJ location and the Paterson (Market Street) location could not have been more apparent.
My first reservation was with the Enterprise location in Hawthorne, New Jersey. I specifically chose that location because it is my hometown and the most convenient branch for me. At the time, I was in Paterson, only about 2.3 miles away, and I called to ask if they could pick me up. Unfortunately, I was told they were unable to do so. While I understand that businesses have policies and limitations, I was disappointed that no effort was made to find a solution or accommodate a customer who was only a few minutes away.
Since I still needed a rental vehicle, I contacted the Enterprise location on Market Street in Paterson. From the moment I spoke with them, the experience was completely different. The staff was friendly, welcoming, professional, and genuinely eager to help. They made the rental process quick, efficient, and stress-free. Everything was handled professionally, and I left feeling like a valued customer.
The very next day, I unexpectedly found myself needing to rent a second vehicle. Once again, I made a reservation with the Hawthorne location because it is closest to my home. My reservation was confirmed, so naturally I assumed everything was set. Shortly afterward, however, I received a phone call informing me that they couldn’t honor my reservation because they had no vehicles available on the lot. This was the second consecutive day that I was let down by the Hawthorne branch, and it left me frustrated and questioning why reservations were being accepted when inventory wasn’t available.
After that disappointing call, I reached out to the Paterson Market Street location again. Without hesitation, they stepped in and helped me once more. Their willingness to assist me immediately, despite my previous reservations being with another branch, speaks volumes about their commitment to customer service.
I especially want to recognize Sean and messiah who assisted me during my rental experience. Sean was nothing short of outstanding. He was professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and genuinely cared about making sure everything went smoothly. He answered my questions, handled everything efficiently, and made what could have been a frustrating situation incredibly easy. Employees like Sean are the reason customers remain loyal to a business.
Customer service isn’t just about renting carsit’s about how customers are treated when problems arise. The Paterson team demonstrated exactly what excellent customer service looks like. They were efficient, diligent, respectful, and solution-oriented. Instead of focusing on what they couldn’t do, they focused on finding a way to help me.
Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the Hawthorne location. Two consecutive days of disappointment, including an inability to provide transportation and then an inability to fulfill a confirmed reservation due to a lack of available vehicles, have completely eliminated my confidence in that branch. While I understand that inventory shortages can happen, communication and customer service make all the difference. My experience left me feeling like an inconvenience rather than a valued customer.
Going forward, I will not even consider renting from the Hawthorne Enterprise location again. Instead, I will gladly drive out of my way to rent from the Paterson Market Street branch because I know I’ll be treated with professionalism and respect. They’ve earned my trust through their actions, not just their words.
To Sean and messiah and the entire team at the Paterson Enterprise location: thank you for turning a frustrating situation into a positive experience. You have gained a loyal customer, and I will gladly recommend your location to friends, family, and anyone looking for outstanding customer service.