My personal vehicle was being serviced, so I decided to rent a vehicle from Enterprise for the week. Unfortunately, my experience was extremely disappointing from the beginning.
When I arrived, I was asked why I was renting a pickup truck and if I was “moving,” followed by a comment questioning why I, as a female, would need one. I found this unnecessary and inappropriate. A customer’s choice of vehicle should not be questioned based on gender.
When I received the keys, there was a sticky note indicating the vehicle was dirty. I assumed it was a minor issue, but when I got to the vehicle, it was clearly not cleaned. There was no vacuuming done, and there were visible mud stains on the outside of the doors. I simply asked if it could be cleaned because I had business meetings to attend and wanted a presentable rental. The response I received was an eye roll and an attitude, which was frustrating because this was a reasonable request.
Throughout the rental process, I was repeatedly reminded that the vehicle needed to be returned before 2 PM because the location closed at that time. I understand reminders, but the number of times it was repeated felt unnecessary and condescending, especially since my rental agreement already reflected the return time.
I was also told, “You need to bring the vehicle back full like you got it.” The wording and tone came across as disrespectful rather than helpful.
I was informed that there would be a hold placed on my card, not an actual charge. Since they stated they only accepted credit cards, I proceeded. However, when I checked with my card provider, I discovered it was processed as an actual transaction, which caused my monthly statement payment to increase from my usual $60 to $250. When I questioned this, I was told it does show as a transaction but would be credited back. This was different from what I was originally told and caused unnecessary confusion that I had to resolve myself.
The biggest issue was after returning the vehicle. I accidentally left an envelope containing keys and money in the glove compartment after walking back to my car. I called the next day and was told someone would call me back. When I came in person, I was told the vehicle had not been cleaned and that if I left something inside, it should still be there. I personally went to check the vehicle and found that it had been cleaned, vacuumed, and washed.
When I brought this up, I was told, “Our cleaners don’t steal, so I don’t know what to tell you.” I was not accusing anyone of stealing. I was trying to locate important personal items that were left in the vehicle. I asked to speak with the manager, and I was told, “I am the manager,” but my concern was still dismissed.
The issue was never just the money or the rental itself. The issue was the lack of professionalism, communication, and basic customer service. From receiving a dirty vehicle, to the way concerns were handled, to the dismissive attitude when trying to recover personal belongings, the entire experience was frustrating and disappointing. I expected a clean vehicle and respectful service, which should be the basic standard for any rental company.