Peteaud
Veteran
- Location
- South Somerset
As title we need to book a hire car for 10 days in France.
Any companies to avoid?
Any advice welcome.
Any companies to avoid?
Any advice welcome.
Car hire for holiday, any advice..
- Thread starter Peteaud
- Start date
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steveindenmark
Legendary Member
I always go for the cheapest and it has always worked fine for me.
I always make sure the car matches up with the scrapes and dents they write on the sheet. Not just a cursory look over because I want to get away. Have a really good look at it and make sure it is correct.
Steve
I always make sure the car matches up with the scrapes and dents they write on the sheet. Not just a cursory look over because I want to get away. Have a really good look at it and make sure it is correct.
Steve
My boyfriend does all the car hiring in our household (we choose not to own a car, so we hire relatively frequently). He uses various car hire comparison sites - I think "Car Hire Supermarket" might be one.
One thing to watch out for is that the price quoted is almost always for only one driver, and charges for an additional driver seem to be one of the ways they make their money*. So if you want more than one driver, you have to go into individual quotes and see what difference that will make.
*I refuse to believe that two adults of similar age sharing the driving is that much more of an insurance risk or administrative burden than one. In fact, I think that if you are going to be going a long way, sharing the driving is safer than having one person doing all of it.
One thing to watch out for is that the price quoted is almost always for only one driver, and charges for an additional driver seem to be one of the ways they make their money*. So if you want more than one driver, you have to go into individual quotes and see what difference that will make.
*I refuse to believe that two adults of similar age sharing the driving is that much more of an insurance risk or administrative burden than one. In fact, I think that if you are going to be going a long way, sharing the driving is safer than having one person doing all of it.
All of them are out to scam you, one way or another, through time, damage or fuel.
To start with, use a company where you pick up and return the car with as little fuel as possible. Don't be in a rush to leave the depot, scrutinise the car (& small print) and get all damage signed for before you leave, all, no matter how insignificant.
To start with, use a company where you pick up and return the car with as little fuel as possible. Don't be in a rush to leave the depot, scrutinise the car (& small print) and get all damage signed for before you leave, all, no matter how insignificant.
asterix
Comrade Member
- Location
- Limoges or York
Check the glass, among other things. A tiny chip or crack on the windscreen can grow and light glass may already be cracked and difficult to spot. Until you bring the car back and they check it! Been caught like that, Europcar, Barcelona.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Are you hiring in UK and driving it to France or hiring the car in France?
stevede
Well-Known Member
Can't recommend any companies, but when hiring abroad, I always pay cash, including deposit. That way, they can't take card payment for non existent damage once you are back home. Quick before & after photos on your phone could assist in the event of any dispute.
ps. Don't forget to drive on the wrong side of the road
ps. Don't forget to drive on the wrong side of the road
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
We use Europcar usually, because they tend to be cheapest... and I always take out the additional CDW [Crash Damage Waiver] and excess insurance in France- it means that any damage is covered by them not you so you don't have to spend time checking the car over as the damage and excess is covered too... if you don't take that for peace of mind, the excess payment for any damage however small is taken immediately from your credit card. Also definitely take out second driver cover if you think you need it at the time of booking- any variations on the collection desk when you sign the contract will cost much more.
If you can face it haggle on the phone instead of booking on-line if you have time- you can save a lot! Oh and be realistic about how big a car you really need and definitely go for aircon if it's the summer...
The excess on our last car's cover in France was 900 euros and I reversed into a tree stump putting a small dent in the door cill- the CDW and excess was covered but otherwise they would have taken 900 euros off me straight away and then returned the balance of the excess minus the repair and we all know that that would have been at least 900 euros!!
I prefer collect full of fuel and return full... but check it is full and get them to look...take a photo of the gauge if they won't- that way you aren't stressed out having to worry about trying to work out how much you need to fill up all the time or taking it back with too much fuel and losing money.
Don't fill up at the collection or return point where the price will be higher, use a supermarket petrol station nearby!
If you can face it haggle on the phone instead of booking on-line if you have time- you can save a lot! Oh and be realistic about how big a car you really need and definitely go for aircon if it's the summer...
The excess on our last car's cover in France was 900 euros and I reversed into a tree stump putting a small dent in the door cill- the CDW and excess was covered but otherwise they would have taken 900 euros off me straight away and then returned the balance of the excess minus the repair and we all know that that would have been at least 900 euros!!
I prefer collect full of fuel and return full... but check it is full and get them to look...take a photo of the gauge if they won't- that way you aren't stressed out having to worry about trying to work out how much you need to fill up all the time or taking it back with too much fuel and losing money.
Don't fill up at the collection or return point where the price will be higher, use a supermarket petrol station nearby!
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threebikesmcginty
Corn Fed Hick...
- Location
- ...on the slake
Numpty, says he who once reversed into a large stone bridge, and the car had reverse parking sensors, duh.
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
3BMcG, you weren't in Avignon by any chance? 
OP
OP
Peteaud
Veteran
- Location
- South Somerset
Pick up is France, at the Airport.
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
[QUOTE 3007670, member: 45"]If you've booked accommodation privately, ask the owners. Your best bet is to find someone local who can recommend a company. We did that the first time we went to the Algarve, and now we always use the same very cheap and friendly firm.[/QUOTE]
That's a good idea... some holiday companies also include a very basic car in their holiday lets... which is often a fraction of car hire rates.
That's a good idea... some holiday companies also include a very basic car in their holiday lets... which is often a fraction of car hire rates.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Then you need to make sure the documents are in English!
You will be limited to the companies that operate from that airport, if it's a regional one there may only be 2 or 3 companies. Make sure they have an office on site, the last thing you want is to be hanging around for ages waiting for the car to arrive, or to be bused out to their depot.
I usually order the smallest car for my needs and have been upgraded quite a few times.
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
Hopefully the pick-up/ drop off is within their office opening hours... otherwise it's more of a hassle!
Some hire companies will ask you for the flight numbers and arrival/ departure times so that any delays can be accommodated... it's a nice touch especially if it takes the collection time past normal office hours.
Easyjet also do car hire but check the prices as they tend to be more expensive but there may be local deals on that particul;ar day.
Some hire companies will ask you for the flight numbers and arrival/ departure times so that any delays can be accommodated... it's a nice touch especially if it takes the collection time past normal office hours.
Easyjet also do car hire but check the prices as they tend to be more expensive but there may be local deals on that particul;ar day.
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My only bad experience has been with Sixt. A few weeks after the hire I noticed an extra £500 taken from my credit card so I queried it with them by email. No response. More emails, still no response so I found a direct contact via a bit of googling. The direct contact was very good in that it prompted a response with pictures of some damaged wheel trims which may or may not have been on the car I hired but certainly did not add up to £500. However, they also revised their charge to £60.
This is where I think it gets a bit dubious. I suspect they take £500 in the hope the card holder does not notice or does not bother fighting it. Unlikely but it will work in some cases. If it does not work immediately then offer a smaller fee - the customer thinks they have dodged a £500 bill and are happy and the hire company get a little something out of it.
I fell for it and paid the £60 to make the problem go away. Ever since then I always either get the extra insurance or make sure they inspect it before and after the hire. I have also never used Sixt again.
This is where I think it gets a bit dubious. I suspect they take £500 in the hope the card holder does not notice or does not bother fighting it. Unlikely but it will work in some cases. If it does not work immediately then offer a smaller fee - the customer thinks they have dodged a £500 bill and are happy and the hire company get a little something out of it.
I fell for it and paid the £60 to make the problem go away. Ever since then I always either get the extra insurance or make sure they inspect it before and after the hire. I have also never used Sixt again.
