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Review 5/14/2010
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In Feb/2010, I was searching online deals for a minivan rental needed in Miami for the 1st week of April. I realized that Rent-a-Wreck had a very low price compared to the competition - so I called them to confirm that their cars were not truly “wrecks”. I spoke to the owner (Eddie) who advised me that his vehicles were in very good condition and identical to something I would rent at Hertz or Avis. I trusted his response and set about to make the booking online and he required / secured my rental by credit card in which he held a $100 deposit in the name of “Rent-A-Wreck”.
In April/2010, I arrived in Miami (and spent $25 Cab fare from MIA Airport) to the Rent-A-Wreck Facility. I met the owner and he immediately informed me how lucky I was to get his car at the $360+ for the week versus the few thousand dollars that his competitors were offering minivans at for the same time. I told him that is WHY I booked with him but he insisted that he was LOSING in dealing with me since he could have got MORE and was going through with it anyway. I was annoyed with his attitude but did not want to turn it into an issue. Then I told him that I needed a car seat and he quoted me a higher price (per day) than what was agreed to on the phone. He argued about the price and finally agreed to my terms – I was peeved at this point but decided to put up with his attitude once more. In filling out the paperwork, he advised me that he had to move me into a minivan tied to his other company “Get Down Rent a Car” as he didn’t have a car for me in the name “Rent-a-Wreck” (NOTE: My deposit was still with Rent-a Wreck). I found this all very fishy but I agreed – as long as I got what I booked. Next they took me out to the car….. What a sight for sore eyes! It was an OLD Mazda MPV, a bit banged up on the exterior but horrendous on the interior – the carpets were covered with filthy stains and the seating looked run down. Furthermore, the vehicle had close to 100K Miles on it – definitely nothing like what Hertz or Avis would provide me. Per the booking (rent-a-wreck) website, it outlined that I was reserving a CARAVAN or WINSTAR so I was irritated by the bait and switch. But at this point, I had NO CHOICE – I was in significant need of a van although I was deceived by the owner. I could have walked away but would not have been able to secure another vehicle at a decent price at the time and had already spent money on taxi- fare and would have had to spend on another cab ride to another location. And I figured if the vehicle was drivable I would live with it. So I took the car and drove off the lot. I then noticed that my driver’s side mirror was loose and could not be adjusted to my line of sight – so I turned back to show the owner. Before looking at the vehicle or hearing my full issue, he immediately yelled at me saying that I was causing him problems and that he was going to end the contract and refund my money. He then came out to see the problem, realized his mistake and advised me that he had no other minivan for me – he said that the other minivan on the lot was a nicer one and would cost me several thousand dollars for the week. I then understood: I was stuck with the “wreck” since he thought he was losing money on me. So after arguing again for a while he had his employee “tape” the broken mirror into place and told me that he would order a replacement mirror that I could get installed the next day. On the drive to my hotel, the van stalled out 2 times in the middle of the road - I was now completely disgusted with the overall experience.
He called me the next day to install the mirror. I told me that I would make do since I had to drive almost 20 miles each way to do the needful and it was not worth it for me. However, I explained my more pressing issue to him: The van stalling – He advised to fill in a new tank of gas which I did but it never quite fixed the issue of occasional stalls. I would have driven back to his business if he offered to replace the van with the newer one on his lot or even offer me an upgrade or similar like any honorable car rental company would. No such luck! This business is a complete sham – I am surprised it is even allowed to operate as a legitimate rental car company. Everyone needs to beware and stay away from this operation – the owner/management deceives customers and provides crappy or no service once he knows he has you cornered. If it were not spring-break week in Miami (i.e. rentals were limited), I would have not put up with the company’s attitude – What a Nightmare!
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