Rental Car Experiences?

fintail

Do you get paid for your time in transit to the cars?

That's work, you get the horses rear end jerks, or other types just as bad. My job has no real jerks, but I deal with some exec types who don't always display a talent for logic, reason, or thoughtful decision making. They don't call it work because it's fun, right? :shades:

berri

Sometimes I think the essential talent for the exec ranks is one , or a combination of the following: Face man. Salesman. Suck up and [non-permissible content removed] kisser. But you have to admit, it probably works getting clients and investors.

stever

Good ol' Hertz. I mean Dollar. Whatever, competition is dying off and this is what you get.

A Quick Electronic Signature at the Car Rental Office, and Then Trouble (New York Times)

fintail

Kind of makes sense. When oligarchy is approached, service becomes less important.

fintail

Definitely being a schmoozer is a key, at least in my workplace. It also impresses the real VP+ level execs, who are usually several degrees more detached from reality.

fintail

Today I had some time to kill, and as it finally stopped raining, I went for a drive. Visited the new rental car center at SEA, and stopped by the Sixt area. No MBs, I talked to a worker there who said they would eventually get them, but he didn't know when.

Strange sighting, an Infiniti QX behemoth at Enterprise. I know National/Alamo has them, but funny to see it at the value brand.

Saw a brand new (plates issued within the past few weeks) rental Legacy sedan on the road, and of course a lot of usual rentals - Hyundais, GMs, Mustangs, etc.

stever

Hey, thanks a lot Fin. That's over and above the call. :-)

Right now we're dialed in with EZ Rent A Car for a mid-size. Confirmed but supposedly we can cancel at any time (and they don't have our credit card info). Maybe next trip.

Sandy, if you see this, maybe you can make some back suggestions for this guy over in Answers. Thanks!

kyfdx

The rental company you really have to watch out for are the neighborhood Enterprise locations.. You know, "we'll pick you up"?

Famous for giving you a walk-around sheet, not showing a scratch or dent, but then hitting you up for numerous charges upon return.... It's not hard to pay attention and keep it from happening, it's just that they are trying to screw you that ticks me off... Those neighborhood cars are usually in pretty crappy shape, compared to the airport offerings...

fintail

That's me, all courtesy :shades:

I think EZ is in the same complex - not many off site operators anymore. It's probably on the bottom floor, with the rest of the odd brands (including Sixt). Seemed like a decent facility, and I noticed no traffic congestion issues within it.

stever

EZ seems to use the WallyPark shuttle vans so I assume they are in that garage complex south of Sixt.

fintail

I looked them up, their address is the main facility, 5th floor - so it is just a short shuttle ride from the airport. Their website claims the same. It's a big facility.

Sandman6472

Yes, I will get back with him tomorrow. A bit tired as we started at 5:30 this morning for a Miami to Key West run and then we got hit with a couple Miami to Lauderdale runs which put us ending at 7 p m...I'm so tried so off to bed for me!

The Sleepy Sandman :sick: :shades:

lemko

My wife takes pictures of the car from several angles before she even signs the agreement so they can't pull any shenanigans like that. Enterprise once tried a stunt like that with her. By luck, we found an old rental agreement from another customer dated two weeks earlier under the seat where Enterprise acknowledged the same damage they were accusing her of doing with the earlier customer. The little dweeb who tried to rip her off was left speechless.

fintail

New facelift E-class is apparently now being spotted in the Sixt fleet in Germany. Still not even on the road here yet.

Sandman6472

Hertz has a bunch of C Classes and GL's that I saw today though we never get to move those. Did a run for Enterprise yesterday and I got a Infiniti G37 which was sweet...love that exhaust sound and it had gobs of power. Nice interior and comfy leather thrones...it was a joy to drive though too short. We seem to be doing more Enterprise work also, 2 runs today and another tomorrow. Also, big changes under way at work and got a feeling that Hertz might be taking it over but not sure really, it's just that things are changing as a co-worker told me the other day. Could be interesting and just hope they keep me as most places see my cans as a liability.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail

Enterprise here anyway has C-class and GLK, at least in limited numbers. Infinit G, JX, FX, and QX are in the National-Alamo-Enterprise fleet too, and so was the M at one time.

Good luck staying on, maybe they will actually value work over appearance...which is sometimes hard for the so-skilled managerial class to grasp at times.

Sandman6472

Hope to stay on also as I do good work and haven't called out yet. My boss knows that he can count on me to work and I try to schedule all my stuff for one day every couple of weeks and give him plenty of notice that i can not work. Told him today that on the 18th, I have things planned at the house & will not be available...figured a week out is the perfect time so he knows not to schedule me. After all, we all have a life and this is a part time gig. A bunch have to take a defensive driving class this weekend but not me...guess it's because we took the AARP class again last year...we take it every 3 years for insurance purposes. Good class to!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail

I never thought of that, your job requiring more drivers training. With what I remember of south FL traffic, defensive driving is a good skill to have.

berri

Usually that's right, but if you're a rural driver you may need an "offensive" driving class in places like Miami or Chicago if you ever want to be able to leave the parking lot and get into the road traffic!

fintail

I know the slow mergers here would be mortified in actually having to assert yourself and get into traffic. And they'd faint on the roads around ATL posted at 60 where traffic flows at 80.

In rental news, I swear, in the past day, I have seen a million rental Versa sedans. Nissan must be dumping them.

Sandman6472

Since I am in the rental car transporter business I have to concur that we see a whole lot of Nissan products with the company's that we deal with...plenty of Altima's and Versa's with Sentra's starting to show up more and more. Also see Murano's and Armada's at the major carrier. But I think we see more GM and Dodge/Chrysler products than all the others with Chevy having a very large presence. The last few days we've been going to Rail Head in the Jupiter Florida area where the rentals come in and go back out to other parts of the country. The logistics must be amazing as they have a massive amount of vehicles going in and out of that facility...an amazing place! I am enjoying this job like crazy and hope to be able to continue for many years to come as it's the perfect job for a retired guy who has a passion for automobiles...the perfect gig!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

lemko

I'm starting to see a lot of Altima taxicabs around here and new ones at that! I thought it was pretty weird to see Altima cabs and police cars in NYC a couple years ago. It's a real strange sight to now see them in Philly.

Sandman6472

Nissan does make some great vehicles and they want to be a bigger player i suspect in the U S since I think Toyota and Honda sell far more vehicles than they do...but their products are top notch. The '09 Versa SL hatch my kid has is a great little vehicle and I would be proud to own it myself as I can slide right over into the front seat. I've gotten used to the cvt tranny and the newer cvt's are even better...the 2011 Rogue i test drove last Monday was flawless and felt like a regular automatic with no perceptible difference at all...it moved really briskly in fact when i hit the accelerator! I like it so much that it and the Hyundai Tuscon are both on my short list for my next, and last vehicle. I need a vehicle that I can slide over into and not fall into like my current '06 Civic and it would be history if the mileage wasn't so low on it...and it does really drive so nice that it would be stupid to get rid of it at this juncture...makes no financial or logical sense at all. I am patient and can wait a few more years until 2016 or 2017.

But yes, Nissan does make some great vehicles.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

stever

Got a white Impala in Seattle for a day yesterday and thought of you Sandy. Had Florida plates. :shades:

Now in bush Alaska and our friend we're visiting rented a car for our stay and I'm the designated driver. White Toyota Camry.

Unfortunately, they told me no taking the rental car onto the ice road on the Kusko river. It's a Payless agency - the pickup she wanted was taken and it was $150 a day, SUVs are $100 but she won't tell me what she paid for the sedan. :shades:

berri

That color looks very apropos!

fintail

That's an previous generation Camry, a little old now. How many miles on it?

stever

Forgot to look, I'll post that later. There's mud everywhere here but the car pic I took just now just won't do. Have to wait until day 3 to really get the good effect.

I *think* gas is a bit over $7 here, but the sign was hand painted and I haven't actually eyeballed a pump yet.

The Camry is pretty generic comfy enough. I broke it loose a little bit in a parking lot and triggered the bells, which I assume is the TCS system. Didn't notice any flashing lights. It has studded tires but it wasn't too hard to get it to fishtail a little bit.

Curious about the car's history. It's looks pretty good, but noticed upon arrival back home that there's some Bondo'd holes in the fender/cowl area, like there may have been an external mirror or perhaps a light mounted. There's no roads to get here, so cars have to be barged out in the summer (or, if you're loaded, you can fly one out). Makes me think it may have been an "official" vehicle of some sort.

Sandman6472

Supposed to have done four Miami to Lauderdale trips for Hertz yesterday which turned into five, started at 10:30 and done at 7...not a bad day. Today they have four more scheduled but I need the day off for various errands & home issues, but am really exhausted so I'm good with it all. Having the headliner reapplied because the glue didn't take at certain areas the 1st go round. Hopefully they'll get it right this time! Has a pretty high miled VW Eos for a Orlando run on Tuesday night and liked the vehicle...this was for Sixt and my buddy got the Mercedes small coupe which I really wanted! His wife also got an Eos and I must say it is a very nice driver with good acceleration when needed. The seats were pretty comfortable too, a perforated leatherette I think, with side bolsters which were just right. Plugged in my iPod and the sound system was decent though if it were mine, I'd replace the speakers with a better brand. Overall, a nice vehicle, I think nicer than either the Passat or Jetta actually! Not sure if I'd want one as my d d, but a nice car overall!

Had a variety of rides today...a couple of last generation Camry's, a Cruze which wasn't awful though the acceleration isn't as smooth or as quiet as my seven year old Civic! I did like the Quest minivan as it does move and the captains chairs are extremely comfortable also. Can't remember the fifth vehicle i had right now due to it being just after 3 a m but it couldn't have been that bad. All in all, we moved 50 vehicles in seven hours which wasn't too bad as the traffic cooperated with us...just hope they are as lucky today. My crew chief really needed me today as he was scrambling to get another driver in my place but I had no choice really, am trying to schedule all my errands/appointments on two days/month so I can be available the other 28 or so days. But soon we'll be in summertime when I've been told things will slow down dramatically, so I'll have more free time. And that's probably a good thing as I am pushing my body a bit too hard right now and am feeling it. it's getting harder to pull myself into the chase van, a 12 pack, and I fell out of it today which really hurt! They tried to catch me but it was too little, too late and I was hurting the rest of the afternoon. Now my knees are starting to act up a bit...ah, the beauty of getting older!

Told my crew chief I'm still having a blast and said I probably will the whole time I'm there and he just laughed and said enjoy! I've told my co-workers what a car nut i am and this is the best job in the world for someone like myself. I am so happy going in that I am getting up a bit earlier daily so I can get down there in a decent amount of time since I have to take either the turnpike or crazy I-95 and there's all that construction down by Lauderdale airport to contend with...a real nightmare!

The Tired Sandman :sick: :shades:

stever

The white Camry has 64,500 miles. Seemed to be holding up well. Hard to believe it's a local car since there are only 16 miles of roads here and the only paved one is 10 miles long. This isn't a rig you'd want to drive on the ice road even if the rental company would let you; already had a few clearance issues just pulling into driveways.

Oh, I asked one of the Sixt guys in Seattle when their Mercedes cars were arriving and he thought the company was waiting until the 2014's were available.

fintail

Yikes, I've never had a rental close to that mileage. Might be a good test of how rugged a Camry can be, thing has probably been beaten up in ways we can't imagine.

Will be interesting to see if/when Sixt gets the 2014 E-class or if they just buy a bunch of leftover 13s. The 14s are already in German fleets.

Sandman6472

Did two runs for Enterprise today, one from Florida City to Jupiter and the second one from Coconut Creek back to Jupiter. Had a Dodge Charger and then a Chrysler 200, both great smooth drivers. People overlook these vehicles when purchasing but they are really great cars actually and very comfortable. They move pretty quickly and the mileage figures aren't all that bad...they are every bit as good as the Camcord's that most buy but if people seriously would consider these cousins, they'd be getting excellent value for their money. Sure they look a bit plain jane but they are super smooth riding and the seating areas are outstanding. Just wish they'd make the Dart a bit more flashy with the same or better mileage than the Japanese or Koreans and I'd seriously look there. And I am a die in the wool import buyer and have been since the mid 70's. But next time i just might go domestic if the Verano or Encore is as good as I've heard. They are asking stupid money for these Buick's though and that would have to be addressed. Ask a fair price for an excellent product and I might just leave the imports and come back to the domestics...if it's as good as an import for similar or less money, and I'm yours for life!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail

Those are cars to buy used - steep depreciation. Too bad you didn't get a V8 Chrysler 300 - they exist in fleets.

The LED Dodge rear end is kind of cool.

berri

I drove a rented Chrysler 300 Hemi down the Pacific Coast Highway a couple of years ago. They actually went together well, and even better making tracks back up 101.

Sandman6472

Did a lot to lot today and literally moved 35 to 40 vehicles myself...I lost count! Drove a Buick Lacrosse, finally, and it was o k, a nice vehicle but just o k. I really need to drive one on an extended drive to really give an honest opinion. Right now I am so tired as it was a long day at the airport. Everything was within 4 or 5 miles and some we just moved from floor 4 to floor 5 of the airport. All in all, it was a tiring day and am glad I am off tomorrow. What I really want is to do a long drive, a Key West, Orlando or Tampa run as these short ones are getting a bit old but we takes what we gets in this job. Today I really felt the heat and it's only April...I hear by August I'll be drained but I told them that my whole postal career I worked outside so I am used to hot, sticky, humid weather. And soon the afternoon rains will start which will add a more dangerous element to the mix as folks get stupider in the rain. Saw it today on 95 when it began to rain, people hit their brakes for some unknown reason. Better to just ease off the accelerator and let the vehicle slow down naturally. With the rain and the oils on the road surfaces creating a slippery goo, hitting the brakes is just asking for a skid to occur and most do not know what to do in that situation...and hitting one's brake is the wrong answer!

I finally got to the point folks told me would happen...I no longer care what I drive, just give me a set of keys and tell me where it needs to go. I'll do the rest as I now know all the destinations we usually go to and no longer need to follow another driver. I've watched and learned well and am now a seasoned professional here. And I stayed which most new workers don't do. Heck, the three others who started with me have all gone by the wayside with me the only one left. People do come and go here...just wish certain one's would go & others would stay! Hey, I'm tired and a little snarkey today as I almost was late...set my alarm for 5:53 p m instead of a m and luckily woke up at 5:54. Man did I jump up!

The Tired and Snarkey Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail

Be careful what you wish for, you might get a round trip to Orlando in a base Rio with no cruise control or something :shades:

If you wanna see stupid in the rain, come to Seattle. It rains what seems like 350 days a year here, and it still freaks people out.

fintail

Saw a rental Genesis and rental Avalon today.

Looks like I will be going to LA later in the year. Already started shopping cars - bizarre thing, looks like if I drop off at LAS, it is almost half price (!) - National Premium class, barely more than standard. Airfare is cheaper if I come back from Vegas too. Looks like I'll be hitting that desert highway.

Sandman6472

This did come true as I, we, had base Corolla's with no cruise on our trip to Orlando this week...was truly agony not having the cruise but the seats were acceptable and the trip went very well. Haven't worked in a few days now and I miss it, I really do! But they did tell me that the summer season is slow and living in South Florida, we are basically in summertime. So I just have to be patient and work when he needs me!

The Sandman

igozoomzoom

The last time I got stuck with a Corolla for a rental was in July 2010 from the Enterprise location here in my smngall town. My Mazda3 was almost totaled and was going to be in the body shop for 3-4 weeks (ended up being 39 days when and double the original estimate when I got finished with the SOBs at State Harm). They first gave me an Orange 2009 Dodge Avenger R/T with the base 4cyl/4sp auto. It had major issues after 28k miles of rental duty. Pressing the gas pedal any more than about half way down and it started trying to stall (felt like Oxygen sensor or something might have been bad) but after almost getting killed a few times and being forced to look at the hideous interior (and the hideous exterior in my driveway), I took it back the next day and demanded something else!

They had a dirty 2009 Corolla LE, dark red with stains and cigarette burns and ashes all over the interior that had just been turned in. I took it out of desperation, figured it couldn't be THAT bad....but it WAS THAT BAD!

It was an LE model with no cruise and no keyless entry. I remember thinking to myself- "If I was making a car payment for this thing every month, I would just go ahead and kill myself!" I haven't had that thought since I rented a '92 Tempo.

Even after being nearly totaled, my 2006 Mazda3 felt like a BMW in comparison when I finally got it back....

fintail

Those cars aren't good for taller drivers - my mother had a Corolla, IIRC thigh support was lacking (no problem for her at 5'6"). That car got hit and replaced by a Camry at my urging, more comfort for almost the same money.

I'll be renting from Sixt Orlando in September, just as summer is ending. Will still be hotter than Hades though I am sure.

Sandman6472

Absolutely as I think September and October are two of the hottest months down here...maybe because by that time, we are so over the heat! Even now, it's getting a bit warmer daily as we are in our small Spring we have. Tired of the intense heat but don't want the extreme cold either so for the time being, we're staying put.

The Sandman

fintail

I am going then because it is cheap, and school will be in session, so less crowds. I was there in June last year, and it was also hot - into the 90s anyway. Then I will get home and it will probably be no warmer than 70.

In rental news, saw 2 white previous generation Sentra rentals within 3 mintutes of each other today - absolutely identical cars, down to the spoiler. Must be from a local branch of some agency (lots of them here).

stever

My sister is on her garden tour in England and Hertz gave her a Fiat Panda. Her postcard says it's cute and easy to shift but she thinks the name is ridiculous.

Sandman6472

We moved 150 more vehicles yesterday, 346 total since Sunday, and that lot is filling up! They have so much $ tied up in these assets that are just sitting and am surprised we aren't moving them out of the Ft. Lauderdale area yet. Very interesting and am amazed at the logistics it takes to have what they need where they need it.

Glad we didn't work today as I am really hurting and have literally been in bed all day long...my body finally gave out!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail

Today I read Aston Martin cars are filtering into the Sixt fleet in Germany - would be something if they got those in FL! Although probably not a good idea given some of the locals and tourists both.

I also read someone spotted a previous gen Lexus ES in the National fleet in DC.

Sandman6472

Love working for Sixt as they have such a great selection but they are the only company that takes our licenses and writes out a contract...we have to take the cars assigned to us. The other company's don't do this and I have switched vehicles one other time with a co-worker who is a cool guy, he offered to take the Suburban and gave me his Escape as I really hate the larger vehicles but will drive them when I have to and have driven them before...it's just that I prefer not to if given the choice. Doing more lot to lot tomorrow, 6 of us, so should be a good day. Today I was hurting and spent the day basically lying down in bed so am all ready for tomorrow. Really miss the longer 4 hour trips and hopefully we'll have some soon but am just happy he calls me to work as I try to be the best I can be with minimal hassles for him. My crew chief is a cool guy and does a lot so try to be an easy employee and help him out whenever possible...always agree to any request he has and I think he now knows that he can count on me whenever he needs to.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail

Weird they make you do that - must be part of the German addiction to policy and procedure.

Saw 2 rentals on the road today - Avenger and trunkback Versa.

Sandman6472

Drove 2 Avengers today and 7 200's among other vehicles. Moving those 300+ vehicles to outer facilities tomorrow like we did today though today's were from the shop and the airport only. Amazing how so many have to go to the shop for various reasons, the majority being oil changes and rotations. There's always a line upstairs needing to go to the shop and vice versa, so we go over with a serviceable vehicle and bring a serviced back to the "QTA" area, "quick turn around" area where they are vacuumed, gassed and washed so we can bring them up to the ready area on the 4th floor. They are parked according to category such as small, mid-sized, premium, SUV's, convertibles etc. It really is interesting to see things in action. There are certain employees from our company that just vacuum, wash and gas 'em hour after hour. Then there are folks like me that move the vehicles where ever they need to go be it upstairs to down, downstairs to up or to an outside3 location. And the 2 bosses who run the show have to tell everyone where to bring vehicles, a pretty stressful job and one of them really was loosing his cool today...I felt sorry for him but these guys do a tremendous job and they actually jump in vehicles and work alongside the "help" when needed. It really is a very logistically interesting procedure to watch...I'm so thrilled to be a part of it all and luckily, all the worker bees like myself are pretty cool and friendly...we all wear the same "USA" red shirts so we are easily spotted. Great job for a car nut and retiree like myself...I'd work 7 days a week if needed...have let my crew chief know that whenever he needs me, day or night, to call or text me and I'll be there, willing and able to work. He's a pretty cool dude so it's easy to work for him, he's finally treating me nicer as I think he's seeing my value and dedication to the job. So I'm happy as a clam now!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail

I hope you get a long haul trip soon, those have to be much more enjoyable.

I think I mentioned my grandfather had the same job as you - I think he started when he was about 65, and did it until he was 76, IIRC. Kept him busy (out of my grandmother's hair) and gave him money for the racetrack - he wasn't a huge car nut though.

Sandman6472

They absolutely are actually and even though Jacksonville is a long trip back in the chase vehicle, it's a pretty enjoyable ride. We always have a set meeting place that we go to and make sure everyone is o k and now with this cast of characters, it would be an enjoyable ride back. Just wish we could start earlier in the day, say like 6 or 7, and get these jobs done. But I'll take what I can get.

It is the perfect retiree's job since one can really work when they want to, if one refuses too much then i think they move ya to the bottom of the heap which is not where I want to be...I like being among the top 5 folks that he calls/texts to see if we are available. Hopefully this will turn into a long term commitment as I think even the big dogs are happy with my performance so far. And the main thing is that when he needs me, I just say "what time" and don't even ask what we are doing or where we are going. I just wanna drive now and if I end up with a cool ride, so much the better! And if not, there's always another trip down the line.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail

Saw an odd rental today, what I guess was a Hertz Prestige MB GL. Base 2012 model, no plate frames, barcodes. On the other end of the spectrum, a white rental trunkback (do private buyers pick these?) Versa.