Wednesday, June 3, 2015

NEVER EVER USE EUROPCAR Europcar Fiat Panda Reg No. 3324 JFG WARNING!

I had the unfortunate experience of using this company during our trip to Spain last week.
We were charged 95 Euros for a broken door lock which I suspect was already broken.
If you read their reviews my initial cynicism actually seems fully justified.
PLEASE READ https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.europcar.co.uk
When we booked the car through the easyjet website everything seemed fine and the car worked out around 130 euros for 6 days.
On arrival at Malaga Airport we went to the Europcar reception and initially I was asked if we would be doing much driving. I indicated that we would not. I was then asked if I would like to upgrade to a higher quality car which was on a “good rate”. I said “no thanks”
I was then asked if I’d like to pay another 22 euros per day for better insurance cover with no excess I said “no thanks”
We were then given a black Fiat Panda Reg 3324 JFG
I duly checked the car in the car park and did not see any visible damage.
The car has a remote key fob. My only mistake was to use the remote key fob and not try the lock on the driver’s door.
On returning the car to the airport full of fuel (we only used 20 euros of fuel during the time we were there) a lady quickly looked round the car. Bear in mind it is in a poorly lit underground car park and its 11pm.
Having quickly looked round she asked where the keys were which were still in the ignition.
Moments later she walks over to the office and tells the office lady something in Spanish along the lines of “it’s the black fiat panda with a broken lock”
We were then told by the receptionist the lock had been broken and we must pay an additional 95 euros.
Looking back I do not recall the lady who checked the car even trying to put the key in the lock...if she did she didn’t try twice as I would have noticed.
I returned to the car to check the lock myself an there was no sign of damage to have spotted the lock wasn’t working before picking up the car is pot luck especially if you have a remote key fob.
I asked to see the paperwork for the last person who hired the car to see if they had also been charged but this was dismissed out of hand as somehow impossible even though she photocopied our contract/invoice
Reading the reviews for Europcar I am convinced this is not an unusual occurrence. There is even a review from a former employee which says:
First they will try to sell you an upgrade...check
Second they will try to sell expensive insurance ...check
Third.. they will give you the worst car they can...check
Judging by the reviews I have little hope of receiving a response from customer services never mind getting my money back.
Basically we were robbed by Europcar on the last day of an otherwise pleasant break.
Therefore I shall advise everyone I know not to use this company. If you are unfortunate enough to hire Fiat Panda 3324 JFG and you are charged for a broken lock please contact fraser@pickseo.co.uk and I can pass the matter onto the Police.

Hopefully within a few hours google will pick up this reg no. 3324 JFG and we can see if Europcar actually attempt to fix this car.

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