GS
Geoff Severson
Jul 15, 2026
I booked an XL SUV through Budget Rental on Friday, July 10 for 8:00am at the downtown Cincinnati, OH location. I was about to leave my Airbnb in Covington, KY on foot at 7:30am when my cell phone rang. It was a Budget agent from the downtown location. She stated that they had no car for me. I was quite surprised, but figured I could work something out. I had no idea what I was in for.
She told me to call an 800 customer service number and then hung up on me.
I searched for this customer service number and finally found it. I called, and after another 30 minutes of discussion, the agent on the phone had me re-booked for a new XL SUV at a different location, which was located at 6525 Glenway Ave in Cincinatti. I took a $50 uber ride because this was so far from my Airbnb in Covington, KY.
Upon arrival, I was met with a room full of people. I waited my turn for almost 20 minutes, with no agent addressing me. When I approached, he immediately told me he had no cars. I said, no, I have a reservation. I was just on the phone with customer service, and they confirmed my booking here at your location."
The agent said, "Well, those people on customer service have no idea what I have here in my lot. They can't see what cars I have."
Obviously, I was frustrated beyond belief. I explained that I had just taken a $50 uber to get here, and now I am stuck.
I walked outside and saw an Enterprise just up the street at 6610 Glenway Ave. So, I got on the phone with Enterprise and started to walk in the rain up the road. Another 20 minutes on a call with Enterprise and the agent confirms I have a car. The price she quoted me was like $465 for 2 days of rental. Absolutely ridiculous, but I felt like I had few options at this point.
I enter the Enterprise, once again to find a room full of agitated customers. I wait 30 minutes for my turn to approach the counter. At some point, overhear Enterprise employees telling customers that their systems are down and that it is making everything take much longer. I finally get to the counter, and the guy tells me they have no car for me.
So for the third time in 2 hours, I have been told I have a reservation, and then my car was either given away or never existed.
I walk to McDonalds in the rain and call my wife. I tell her the mess that Budget and Enterprise have created for me.
She calls Sixt rental car, and the guy on the phone says they have a car for me at the CVG airport. I told my wife -- ask him if he is literally standing at the airport and can see the car. Because, I have been told this all morning by people on the phone, and then people at the actual location do NOT have a car. He promises that they do.
I take a $50 uber to the airport. Walk up to the Sixt counter. Within 5 minutes, I have a really nice, comfortable, brand new Hyundai Tucson. The price was $246, WAY more affordable than both Budget and Enterprise. And I am on my way.
Thank you to Sixt for knowing how to run a business. You saved my visit to Cincinatti.
Enterprise and Budget? It is 2026. We have digital technologies that allow me to watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy while backpacking in Siberia. How neither of you can track the location and inventory of vehicles -- which is your ENTIRE business -- blows my mind. Both of you need to reassess your ability to call yourselves a car rental agency. I am copying all 3 rental agencies with this same story. Two of you had better reply with some sort of explanation or apology. If I do not hear from you, I will Google Review you with this event, and the 1 star from my Review Status will not feel good. But, I'm giving you a chance to avoid that. Speak up.
UPDATE: i took the time to contact Enterprise Customer Service Chat online. I explained the situation, and was surprised by the reaction of the Enterprise employee. Shawn took the time to explain why it is a challenge for them in their industry and that customers are really at risk when they book a car. We went on and on for 20 minutes, and not one time did he apologize or offer anything.