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Post by Phil on Jul 15, 2003 10:20:34 GMT 1
Having followed the list of car hire companies on this site that allow you to drive from Italy to Croatia, I made a booking with Autos Abroad.
I paid them 260 pounds for 12 days hire, but when I arrived in Venice I was told by Sixt autos that they were not honouring Autos Abroad pre-paid vouchers as the company hadnt paid them any money the previous month...
Efforts to contact Autos Abroad - also known as Hire for Lower - were met with hold messages that were never answered.
I had to pay Sixt separately - though they were good enough to give me the car at the price arranged with Autos Abroad.
I am typing this from Croatia... please dont anyone fall for this bunch of con artists.
When I return I will be going to their offices in person as Ive just been reading complaints about Hire for Lower/Autos Abroad on various internet sites and they seem to ignore claims against them...
If anyone else has been stung by this bunch then I suggest a joint claim....
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Post by Cuz on Jul 15, 2003 10:34:15 GMT 1
Here's an article I found, don't book with them!!! Cheers
David
P.S.I hired a car through them last January in Lanzarote no problems but it seems things have changed now :-(
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CAR HIRE FIRM UNDER FIRE
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MORE then 200 complaints against holiday car brokers Hire For Lower are being investigated by trading standards chiefs.
Many customers were left stranded after rental companies refused to accept the firm’s pre-paid vouchers because of “contractual problems”.
Others were forced to pay again for another car to get to their destinations — at far higher rates.
Sun reader Tony Hodges, 38, is among the victims still waiting for a promised refund.
Tony, a projects manager, booked a vehicle for £61 through Hire For Lower after spotting an ad boasting they would undercut any rival. On arriving in Fuerte-ventura in the Canary Isles with his partner Diane Coughlan, 35, and two children, they were told their Hire For Lower vouchers were worthless.
Tony, from Bradford, said: “We were told Hire For Lower had not been paying their bills and if we wanted a car we would have to pay again locally. This was a lot more.
“We phoned Hire For Lower from the airport and they confirmed there had been a dispute but said as long as we kept all the paperwork we would be refunded.”
Tony is pursuing Hire For Lower through the small claims court.
According to credit files, the company already has ten unpaid county court judgments against them.
Trading standards officers at London’s Westminster City Council are also threatening legal action unless refunds are paid and the company changes the way it operates.
They are investigating more than 200 cases and want anyone with information or complaints to contact them by phoning 020 7641 1111.
A spokesman said: “All callers will be sent an advisory letter, together with a questionnaire, which will allow us to discover the scale of the problem and determine what action, if any, this authority can take to protect consumers.”
Hire For Lower, which also trades as Autos Abroad, USA Rent-A-Car and Direct Car Hire, is owned by millionaire Nick Stolberg — the co-founder of Holiday Autos.
The company’s contracts manager, Nick Marney, blamed its difficulties on the slump caused by the Gulf War.
He told Sun World: “We are working with trading standards to find a solution to speed up the refunding process.
“It is only fair to mention that through the brands and companies he has created over the past 16 years, Nick has been responsible for literally millions of rentals and happy customers.
“Nonetheless, we appreciate there are unacceptable issues.”
Copyright The Sun
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Post by Graham - Bosmere on Jul 15, 2003 11:33:17 GMT 1
The above is one reason why when we make a car rental reservation for our clients at Trieste we only take a small deposit (stops no shows) and the balance is paid to the rental company at the time of collecting the car.
When paying what are effectively brokers you have now way of changing your mind or hire periods etc without a great deal of trouble.
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Post by Anna on Jul 15, 2003 14:35:45 GMT 1
Sorry to hear of your troubles, Phil. What do people think, should we take the link to this company off our website?  |
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