topic Re: Enterprise Car Rental in Community Chat

Enterprise Car Rental

purduegirl — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:19:56 GMT

I have rented a call from Enterprise for business the last 4 years. I have used the same debit card for payment without incident for this time period. I always received excellent customer service and great rapport with the staff. This branch went under new manager and new staff @ 1 month ago but still Enterprise. Last week, I went in for usual new 30 contract. I was informed, without previous notice, that to continue use of any debit card that I would have to go home and get a paystub, 2 utility bills and proof of address. I woulf have to be taken home by one of their drivers. One of the reps verbally read my address out loud in front of everyone. So much for customer loyalty, service or respect. I was so angry and stranded without a car. Am I unreasonable?

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

CelticCrafter — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:37:29 GMT

If they have all the prior records and there has never been a problem with payment, then I don't see why they would need additional documentation.

My husband has basically the same set-up with the monthly rental for his job and he just goes when the 30 days are up to renew it. They tell him when he needs to take it for an oil change and tire rotation and every once in a while they want to make a physical inspection. It's also an Enterprise rental.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Moonchilde — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:40:30 GMT

It's up to the branches. It is Enterprise's suggested process for debit cards, but they do say to check with the branch, which may be stricter, more lenient, or just stick to the suggested process.

You can pay for the car rental when you turn the car in with a debit card, no problem. They just don't accept debit/check only cards to reserve and cover the rental time.

This is common. Avis, Alamo and Budget either do the same, or put a hold on the entire projected amount when you rent the car. Google "debit card car rental."

Sounds like the previous management was doing you a favor as a long-time customer, but that's not the policy at most car rental companies - they don't like debit cards.

Some major car rental companies do credit checks every time you want to use a debit card. Potential creditors would certainly notice that.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

scotnovel — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:48:14 GMT

I also rent with Enterprise. They are the only rental company in the nearest town and I like the idea that they will pick me up and take me home. Every time I have rented in the last 2 or 3 years, they call me the day before to verify the rental and at that time they ask if I am using a regular credit card, a debit, or a prepaid card. I always use a credit card, but the last time I rented I asked what if I were using a debit card and she stated that I would have to bring a utility bill as a proof of address. So, I am surprised you haven't encountered that before now. Under forms of payment on the review screen before finalizing the car reservation, it does say you need additional documentation if using a debit card.

I have had nothing but excellent service from them so it sounds as if the people in the office you are using are not trained as well as they should be. I don't think it is unreasonable for you to be upset. I would discuss it with the manager and suggest they call people a day ahead to verify the reservation and inform them of the special rules related to a debit card at that time. It does, however, sound like they would have accomodated you by taking you home and back so, while certainly an inconvenience, you wouldn't have been stranded.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:03:00 GMT

Did you ask to speak to a manager?

It's tricky when everyone is new and all want to go exactly by the book (as someone new should), but I would think even a new manager would be able to check records and make an executive decision.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

qbetzforreal — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:44:22 GMT

The Enterprise near us does not accept debit cards as a form payment. Businesses that usually don't accept the debit card is that they have been burnt in the past. In the case of car rental company, it could be that there is money to cover the cost of the rental but not enough to cover the cost if a car is returned damaged.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

terrier3 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:15:22 GMT

Why would you use a debit card instead of a credit card?

With a credit card - they aren't putting a hold on your money...it's much safer, IMO.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

purduegirl — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:39:07 GMT

I have used the same debit card to pay them over $35-40, 000 over the last 4 years. I received no help from manager.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Kachina624 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:51:07 GMT

Sounds like the new manager is new to management and is somewhat paranoid.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Snowpuppy — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:52:58 GMT

I've used them often with few gripes about them. The last time I was in I saw the new sign about their debit card policies.

I rented beautiful full size SUV for vacation with a hold on a cc but paid at the return with a debit card. Was a bit of a hiccup changing cards but all went well.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

millieshops — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:58:49 GMT

Does Enterprise own these store fronts or are we talking about individually owned franchises? If it's the latter, it's very possible the new owners have incomplete records from the previous owner - and the debit card does not protect them for their investments.

The only error i saw in the OP was the vocalization of the address. Otherwise, I'm with the business on this one.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

sidsmom — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 01:23:30 GMT

@purduegirl wrote:
I have rented a call from Enterprise for business the last 4 years. I have used the same debit card for payment

***Faint***

Why on God's green Earth would someone use a debit card for a retail purchase? Especially a rental car. And then people wonder why fraud is on their checking account.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Pearlee — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:16:28 GMT

I had to open this thread; just turned in an Enterprise Rental car this afternoon.

I do like the service Enterprise provides and it's reasonable. Love the pick-me-up service and they'll pick up the rental car when I'm done wherever I tell them to.

I have noticed over the years that the smployee turnover is high, and the employees are very young. My overall impression is that it's often a first job for them. and most I deal with are new and inexperienced. They are polite and try hard, but I just don't think most I have dealt with at the Enterprise I use are very experienced at being in the workforce.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Moonchilde — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:19:22 GMT

I have used a debit card in the distant past, when these restrictions were not in place, because I was coming out of a bankruptcy and while I had the money, did not want to tax my still-limited credit. There *are* reasons people might prefer it.

But if one has a CC they can use, with these restrictions in place as they are now, the CC is clearly the better option - not least because most mainstream CCs cover the expensive insurance the car rental agencies want to tack on, and most people would be sunk without.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Pearlee — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:22:16 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:

But if one has a CC they can use, with these restrictions in place as they are now, the CC is clearly the better option - not least because most mainstream CCs cover the expensive insurance the car rental agencies want to tack on, and most people would be sunk without.

My auto insurance coverage extends to rentals. I never need their overpriced insurance.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Abrowneyegirl — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:34:40 GMT

While I can understand why the sudden change in practice was an inconvenience, I can also see the other side of the coin.

If I owned a car rental business I would NEVER except a debit card for payment!!!!

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Moonchilde — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:41:13 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:

But if one has a CC they can use, with these restrictions in place as they are now, the CC is clearly the better option - not least because most mainstream CCs cover the expensive insurance the car rental agencies want to tack on, and most people would be sunk without.
My auto insurance coverage extends to rentals. I never need their overpriced insurance.

As Enterprise explained it to me, and as my auto insurance company explained it to me also, my auto insurance company provides *some* insurance but not *total* insurance such that Enterprise could never come at you for anything. I opted to "double insure" through my insurance *and* using a CC to rent, and even then according to Enterprise there were certain unlikely circumstances where I still might be liable for some payment depending on how Enterprise chose to deal with a total loss or lengthy repair time.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Pearlee — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:51:42 GMT

@Moonchilde Everyone's insurance is different and it all depends what you choose to have covered.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

Moonchilde — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 01:01:42 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
@Moonchilde Everyone's insurance is different and it all depends what you choose to have covered.

Really? I had NO idea that was the case.

Re: Enterprise Car Rental

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 21:45:54 GMT

.When you rent a car it's considered a substitute vehicle and is fully covered under your insurance policy.Any coverage you have under your auto policy transfers over to your rental up to the policy limits!! You are 100% covered and there is absolutely no need to pay for additional coverage!!