Waiting For A Tow In Birmingham

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

The Birmingham, Alabama sun was bright and hot when my rental car overheated and died in the middle lane of a 6 lane highway. I called the 24 hour road assistance number provided and was put on hold for approx. two and a half minutes. I hung up and called back. When the gentleman answered I quickly explained my situation to him. I phone from outside the vehicle so the whooshing of passing cars was audible. I was told that the woman who could help me was dealing with another broken down motorist and to be patient. Fine. I was then on hold for about 5-10 minutes. She finally answers and gets my information. She then puts me on hold (again) and contacts the Birmingham rental office. This takes about another 5 minutes. Finally she retuns with the folks from Birmingham and my information is related. I am then asked for my cell phone #. I will be contacted as soon as the tow truck has been notified.

In 5 minutes my phone rings. I am told that a tow truck will not be available to pick me up until an hour.I am then asked to ride with the car to the airport to pick up another car. I am told that all of the paperwork will be ready when I arrive. I am assured that this really is the fastest option. I accept. So I buy a 1 liter bottle of soda and I wait. A snickers would have been more appropriate.

I remember thinking that the moon that night was brighter than the tow truck's headlights when it finally arrived. I ride back to the rental car terminal. No one is there but the people who clean the cars. A gentleman drives me over to the counter at the airport but not before driving me through a car wash for the rental cars. Exciting. I go to the counter and none of the paperwork is done. The people have no idea who I am or anything about the problem. The counter attendant asks for the keys or the contract, both of which are in the car back at their terminal. I explain this to her and she states that she needs one of those items. I ask her how am I going to get back there? Nothing. Finally she uses her computer and is able to find my reservation. A note about my situation is discovered and things proceeded more smoothly. I finally am given a new rental car and return to my hotel.

Thankfully no one was injured. If you are wondering about which company I rented from the name is located in the dictionary between Avid and Avow. Perhaps in the future I will use a more National company.

The only apology came when I turned in the replacement car. Liz Kidwell made things right. She truly did "Try Harder".

Submitted By: Anonymous

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

The length of time you were on hold was minimal, and the length of time you had to wait for a tow truck was probably no longer than it would have been in your home town, unless you know the operator personally. Granted, they should have had the paperwork done when you got there, but if this was the worst thing that happened to you in this case, it hardly qualifies as a nightmare. PLEASE just get over yourself.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

I completely understand your frustration. I have rented from another rental car company (alamo) and almost every car i rent has a problem (brakes/engine lite/air condition has gone out) but it seems that no one cares.....

I'm tired of complaining because it doesnt seem that to help matters.......

back to your story i would have still spoken with the supervisor on duty and expressed my concerns....

good luck next time

********and for the comment above***********

the tow truck should have been able to provide you with faster service. or someone from the rental car company should have driven a new car out to you and they could have waited for the tow truck.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

They handled your problem as quick as they could. One has to realize that they had no power over towing company. People like you are so impatient and think that if they have a problem it needs to resolved asap.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

avis should have handled or resolve this problem as soon as it occured..after all this is THEIR problem THEIR car overheated or broke down because they did not maintainence it. you rented the car because you had s*ht to do not to go through bulls*ht. that just takes time away from things you had 2 get done. i agree w/the 2nd comment as far as one of their agents should have brought you a 2nd car and then waited until nightfall 4 towing so they can see what it feels like. then maybe put in a suggestion on better servicing their cars. n if it is such a big deal then they should just tax it on as one of their additional surcharges as if there wasn't already enough.."maintenance surcharge". i went 2 visit a friend 4 2 weeks and the car rental company gave me a brand spanking new car w/no plates..about a week out i was pulled over 4 speeding (i understand this it totally my fault of course) but he gave me a ticket because the car sticker had expired about 3days after i picked it up..he did not site me 4 speeding but 4 not having proper registration (or ins. i tried 2 explain my credit card covers ins. on rental cars but that was taken care of) or that this is a rental but there is only so much u can say 2 an officer w/out getting arrested. i was fuming..i went directly to the car rental n explained what JUST happened n a supervisor came out n told me they were not liable or whatever. i went balistic. i advised they were fully aware 2 months prior when i booked my reservation that my rental period is 4 2 weeks n they gave me a car who's registration period ended before my rental time...i was very calm n collective at first when i explained the situation and hoped it would have been rectified immediately but by this time i was really bitching at the supervisor and with another agent through one of their other offices i contact on their toll free line on my cell. they finally gave in n stated they would take care of it which they did. but the 2nd car they gave me, before even checking out the change oil light came on n the brakes were sqeaking really bad and the gas was on straight E. i parked it right up front and went in n again very calmly told them the situation. they did not even put up a fight this time n even offered to upgrade me from a fullsize to a luxury or premium. i told them that was not the point and quite alright i just want what i paid 4 so i stuck 2 my grand prix n went on my merry little way. also sometimes i guess they think because you're young u don't know what ur talkin about but i beg (maybe not frequently) 2 differ. better luck next time.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

avis should have handled or resolve this problem as soon as it occured..after all this is THEIR problem THEIR car overheated or broke down because they did not maintainence it. u rented the car becuase u had s*ht to do not to go through bulls*ht. that just takes time away from things u had 2 get done. i agree w/the 2nd comment as far as one of their agents should have brought u a 2nd car and then waited until nightfall 4 towing so they can see what it feels like. then maybe put in a suggestion on better servicing their cars. n if it is such a big deal then they should just tax it on as one of their additional surcharges as if there wasn't already enough.."maintenance surcharge". i went 2 visit a friend 4 2 weeks and the car rental company gave me a brand spanking new car w/no plates..about a week out i was pulled over 4 speeding (i understand this it totally my fault of course) but he gave me a ticket because the car sticker had expired about 3days after i picked it up..he did not site me 4 speeding but 4 not having proper registration (or ins. i tried 2 explain my credit card covers ins. on rental cars but that was taken care of) or that this is a rental but there is only so much u can say 2 an officer w/out getting arrested. i was fuming..i went directly to the car rental n explained what JUST happened n a supervisor came out n told me they were not liable or whatever. i went balistic. i advised they were fully aware 2 months prior when i booked my reservation that my rental period is 4 2 weeks n they gave me a car who's registration period ended before my rental time...i was very calm n collective at first when i explained the situation and hoped it would have been rectified immediately but by this time i was really bitching at the supervisor and with another agent through one of their other offices i contact on their toll free line on my cell. they finally gave in n stated they would take care of it which they did. but the 2nd car they gave me, before even checking out the change oil light came on n the brakes were sqeaking really bad and the gas was on straight E. i parked it right up front and went in n again very calmly told them the situation. they did not even put up a fight this time n even offered to upgrade me from a fullsize to a luxury or premium. i told them that was not the point and quite alright i just want what i paid 4 so i stuck 2 my grand prix n went on my merry little way. also sometimes i guess they think because you're young u don't know what ur talkin about but i beg (maybe not frequently) 2 differ. better luck next time.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

Being an employee of a different rental car company, if your problem occored durring normal business hours they should have came to pick you up to put you into a different vehicle. They could have just left the car on the side of the road and hid the keys for the towing company. as for mechanical failures with rental cars, most people fail to understand that we don't drive vehicles for extended periods of time and most customers fail to inform us if they notice a problem with the vehicle. informing a rental car company of a problem allows us to call attention to it before it turns into a large problem. saving ourselves as well as future renters the headaches, and usualy a rental company will give you something to make up for the inconvienence of a car with a problem. Beleive me a broken down car is and employees worst nightmare. Unfortunatly when we are not open roadside is the assistance we have available, and as with most roadside towing companys you could probably be there a while. Any reputible car rental company should try to make good with you to ensure your complete satisfaction.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

Tow trucks and rental car companies suck! Youll be shot dead by a crack head before you get help! You have about as much chance of living as a white guy in harlem.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

Why do you people whine about the stupidest of things! Get a life, will ya! And as for waiting for a tow truck; i've waited longer than that in my own personal vehicle. So stop whining! You act like a rental car company is God! That is part of what's wrong with America today, people are too goshdammed impatient. You want everything right now! When you say! On a platter. Why don't you stop complaining and buy your own damn car! Do you realize, when you rent a car you are driving something that hundreds before you have driven? What do you expect from a car rental company? Don't bitch about the business unless you know what goes on behind the scenes! Now, if mr "I sat by the road until the moonlight sat in" had been told there was NO replacement vehicle when he got to the location, he would have bitched and boo-hoo'd about that, too! There you have it, my point, nothing from nothing leaves nothing! So stop whining in your spilled milk, people! And stop being chicken s*ts about posting your name on this site! I mean, COME ON! If you have something to say, BE A MAN/WOMAN ABOUT IT! Claim it! Post your name to it! Duhhhhhhhh!!

Submitted By: NOT ANONYMOUS - Virginia

Converted · Site Admin Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 5602

All I can say is you get what you pay for! If you go to these companies renting dirt cheap and expect to get a quality vehicle your an idiot. Keep it simple and go to the larger companies like Hertz/Avis and you will increase your odds of having a quality experience for only a few more dollars a day. Or you can continue to price shop with Bankrupt Rental Car Companies and continue to stand line with your finger up your ass while the CSR chomping bubble gum makes fun of you as soon as you leave!!!

Submitted By: Employee of one of the "Good Ones"