We arrived 35 minutes before scheduled pickup time. It was not busy at the counter. They still made us wait until the precise pickup time. Not a second sooner
Renting the car went smoothly, but returning it was another story. The attendant made me feel discriminated against as a Chinese person by checking the vehicle multiple times and insisted there were scratches on the front bumper that were already there when I rented it.
I've rented from various companies multiple times, but this was my first and very unpleasant experience with Europcar. First, the counter staff was quite indifferent. Second, despite having fully paid and purchased the super comprehensive insurance via Zuzuche, and having additional travel insurance that covers overseas self-driving, Europcar still tried to push their insurance on us. They initially refused to acknowledge our booking, and only after persistent negotiation did they relent. This already left a bad impression. Third, they pre-charged NZD 200 on my credit card for fuel, which they promised to refund if the car was returned with a full tank. This was acceptable. However, a couple of days later, they charged another NZD 200 without any explanation, causing confusion. Given our ongoing trip and a similar unresolved situation with a friend in Europe, our trust in Europcar was already low. We contacted Zuzuche's after-sales service, who responded quickly. After uploading a screenshot of the deduction, we received a refund roughly equivalent to NZD 200 the next day, albeit with some exchange rate loss. Fortunately, it was a minor loss. The main issue wasn't the money but the unauthorized, unjustified charges, which are unlawful. We appreciate Zuzuche's prompt and effective service, which helped resolve the first incorrect charge despite limited communication options abroad. However, the initial NZD 200 taken at the counter hasn't been refunded yet. We returned the car with a full tank and even confirmed with the Europcar counter, who assured us it would be refunded within 10 business days, pending the bank's process. We are still waiting, hoping there won’t be any further issues.
I booked the car 2-3 months in advance, but it took over 2 hours past the scheduled time to get the car at the airport pickup point. It felt like a scam as we waited and waited. It wasn't just us; other customers also had to wait a long time for their cars. One foreigner got fed up and went to another company to rent a car. We, who pre-paid, were left hungry and wasted a lot of time. The staff member attending to us was inexperienced and kept saying 'sorry' without offering any solutions.
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