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Review 8/30/2009
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Made a reservation on Kayak.com on June 6, 2009 for a rental on June 12. Then found out USA Auto Rental charged my credit card for the rental and a deposit ($686.43 total charge, $186.43 was the actual price for 4 days) 6 days prior to the rental date. When I got to the office after having to take two shuttles from the airport I was greeted with open hostility when I inquired as to why they would charge my credit card prior to me even renting a vehicle from them. The clerk in his best English said that was the policy and if I didn't like I could always rent elsewhere. I asked to see which vehicle they were renting me and not surprisingly, from the look of the office and lot area, the Chevy Cobalt was at least 2 years old with 56,482 miles and came equipped with many dings, scratches and scrapes. I looked at the tires and saw that they were very well worn to the point of being unsafe. I asked if there were any other cars to choose from and the clerk told me that he does the choosing! I actually thought that line was funny as I asked for a credit and a ride back to the airport. I was told they don't do credits and I would have to speak with the owner. I asked to speak with the owner and was told that he rarely comes in. I asked how to contact him and was told he would contact me. This, I felt was very unprofessional and unethical. I was also told that they wouldn't shuttle me back to the airport as they were too busy! There were no other customers and the phone had not rung in the twenty minutes or so that I was there. I ended up walking outside and calling the Fort Lauderdale Police. When the officer showed up I told him what had occurred and although he couldn't do anything to help he was sympathetic. He explained that this is a civil matter and I should take it up with my credit card company and file civil charges. The officer was kind enough to call a taxi and wait with me in the hot sun until a taxi arrived and even told me that I wasn't the first person to have a problem with USA Auto Rental. I did rent a car from a major company at the airport and paid exactly $18.56 more. I got a Pontiac G6 which is a larger vehicle then the Chevy Cobalt and the odometer read 13,462 when I left the lot. I will never rent from a third world car rental company again! I will stick with more reputable companies even though the charge a little more the savings are just not worth it!!
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