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i concur with roadgeek - better prices and customer service than any other rental establishment. and i've never been offered rental insurance in such a hard-nosed way, always said \"no thanks, mine covers it.\"
i concur with roadgeek - better prices and customer service than any other rental establishment. and i've never been offered rental insurance in such a hard-nosed way, always said \"no thanks, mine covers it.\"
Yes, not only did the Enterprise sales guy not pressure me, but he came outside with me to look over the car -- which almost never happens when I rent from National, for example. Then he practically helped me into the car. I had a good experience with Enterprise, for sure. Now if they could just offer me unlimited mileage outside NY/NJ/CT, I'd be renting from them much more often.
I find Enterprise's sales policies better than most. The agents actually have more authority when it comes to upgrades: I've managed to do things like get a Miata for $35/day depending on weather and demand.
The ability to negotiate AT THE LOT, when you can see what the alternatives are, is rather useful, especially for something of a car junkie like me.
(Oh, and Enterprise buys on the open market, which means more variety. In particular, the Mazda3 hatchback is great: it has the high end engine in a nice tossable compact).
Charles writes:
\"I worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car for about 2 months about 8 years ago.
While they never came right out and said it at that time (unlike the
cheat-sheet), it was understood that the most important selling point is
the insurance. Always push the insurance. I was never good at selling
people something they really don't need so I was upfront with everyone
(probably why I only worked there for 2 months). The only benefit to
buying Enterprises Insurance is that if you have an accident and ding up
the car you can pretty much drop off the keys and be on your way. If
you don't get it, your insurance company gets involved. Of course,
that's why you pay your insurance company, so why pay twice? The only
time I suggested thinking about Enterprise Insurance was if you were
renting a moving van or pickup, or similar vehicle and you had little
experience driving a larger vehicle, or if you have terrible insurance
with high deductibles and a history of accidents.\"
Sounds like your typical moron retail manager who's read one too many \"Idiot's guide to sales\" books.
Not really shady, but definitely not \"nice\" and not how I'd be happy being treated (ditto every other customer on the planet--but sales managers rarely care how happy you are after you leave, as long as you spend lots of money).
I wasn't aware that this kind of sales was going extinct, but I hope it is and I'll be dancing on its grave when it does! -M.
I *always* get the LDW, after once being forced to pay for a new windshield because of a rock chip at a rental company.
No need to raise my insurance rates or risk the insurance company claiming damage that I can't prove that I did not cause...
But as a side effect, I get to pretty much smash up the car if I want. Since I got the LDW, I don't worry about parallel parking, bumping the backs of parking garages, door dings, jumping curbs, knocking down road signs, or throwing the car in reverse at 60mph.
I consider the $10 to $20 a day an \"entertainment fee\".
:)
Terry writes:
\"I had an interesting experience when I went to rent a car from Enterprise. I declined the insurance when it was offered. The clerk insisted, saying that credit cards provided secondary coverage. I begged to differ, telling him my card coverage was primary (I'd checked my cc info carefully, then called my cc company to be sure). He insisted, so I pulled out the \"terms\" paper I'd brought along just in case this happened (I just knew I'd get an argument about the insurance). This guy read the pertinent parts of it, then called my cc company to verify because he didn't quite understand it (I can't really fault the guy because these companies do their darnedest to make sure you need a lawyer to interpret those things). So yes, Enterprise can be pushy about the insurance, but you just have to push back harder.\"
when i need to rent a car i always use enterprise. in L.A. the branch we go to remember us and treat us well as loyal customers. they always upgrade us or give us the ultra low coupon rate for a decent car (coupon cars are usually a box with 4 mice running on an exercise wheel!). while they don't push for the insurance we usually take the minimum only because the cars are so nice (mercedes etc...) and don't want the stress of it while we're raging in the their bad ass rides.
I like Enterprise. They offered to watch our kids while we were gone.
Garrett writes:
\"A few months back I rented a car from Enterprise. Upon rental, the car was immediately given, contracts signed, and I was off. I had the car for the week, which, wonderfully smelled like cigarrettes and puke, but at least ran. After doing nothing but my work-school commute and returning it, I came in to turn in the keys looking like the college kid in a sweatshirt teenager that I am. When I didn't show up wearing a business suit to turn in my vehicle they, of course, did the 21 thousand point inspection process on the car and \"noticed\" a \"very large scratch in the rear right side\" that was actually only visible when viewed from a certain angle. I refused to divulge any information up front, and about a week later received a letter requesting $1200 for the fix. Many angry calls and unpaid bills later, I recommended to one of the employees that they check the previous contracts (wow, what an idea?) to check for already existing damage, and sure enough it had been documented, multiple times. So whoever checked out my vehicle, if anyone, just didn't do their job. I'm glad it was a car with a dent and not a car without oil. Now all I need to do is figure out how I can get some money back for my total wasted amount of life.\"
I've loved Enterprise since I was 20.
I needed a rental while my car was in the shop. After calling several places, I reserved a car at Enterprise. The next day they picked me up at the body shop, took me to the office -- and discovered that I was under their minimum rental age. (Me: why didn't you tell me before I made a reservation! Rental guy: I'm so sorry, you sound so mature I didn't think it was relevent!)
The employee got on the phone and called every other car rental place in the phone book, until he found one that would rent to a 20yo. He drove me there (across town, at least 10 miles) and waited around until I had a set of car keys in my hand.
That's great customer service.
In defense of Enterprise, I have rented from them on multiple occasions and have always received excellent service. They have never, ever hammered me about insurance. I recommend them to anyone....