Warm-Up 2 is all about complaining. 'The Hire Car from Hell' is all about really bad treatment when renting a car in the USA. The idea for this Warm-Up came from the wonderful film,"Trains, Planes and Automobiles", with Steve Martin and John Candy. The task is set up so that you don't have any other option than to write a well-composed letter to the company in the USA - and hope for the best. The sum of money involved is too small to make it worth your while starting a legal action (at least from this side of the Atlantic - it'd be different if you were living in the USA, where they have Small Claims Courts). There's also a lot of scope for 'he said-she said' situations (which is how they describe situations where one person says one thing, and the other person says something different in American English).
The task itself is quite limited: you only have to write FIVE sentences from the letter you'd write (i.e. NOT the entire letter). The point is to see whether you can calibrate your language, so that you express yourself firmly, but refrain from insults and gratuitous comments that will just result in your letter being filed in the trash can! Once again, there's a link to the Send-In Task which comes next.
You submit your Warm-Up Task 2 by copying your text into a comment. Remember to include FIVE sentences only - and to include your name in the submission.
By the way, if you don't know what the 'redeye' is, take a look at the first comment on this post.
The 'redeye' is a flight which involves you getting on it late in the evening local time, flying all night and then arriving at the beginning of the business day at your destination. What you'll probably want is a long sleep, a shower and a change of clothes … but what you get is to go into your first meeting still dressed in the clothes you tried to sleep in on the plane, without even having the chance to clean your teeth!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Chongmi Lee, and I used your rental car the third on March, today I would like to complain about your services.
ReplyDeleteAt first, the car you offered had some trashes and a bad odor, also there was no washer fluid, after that the engine was broken, and it cost 50 dollars to call some help.
When I had a talk about problems to person in charge, he assured that he would pay back 50 dollars and get the charge discounted 50% when I drop the car.
However there was no one at the desk when I dropped the car, furthermore, there was a full amount charge on credit card.
The services you offered were not deserving of "service",I would like to have the charge paid back and please contact me as soon as possible.
Before I even had entered my rental car, your courtesy bus drove of, leaving me with my luggage outside before I could even find or verify the card would even start.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that I noticed upon entering the car was the foul smell of old cigarettes, beer and sweat together with half a pizza on the back seat.
On my way to New York City, before the car broke down, I tried the window washers, but there were no washer fluid available.
As your customer service representative promised me over the phone, the $50 tow truck fee would later be reimbursed on my credit card bill.
It would be both in yours and mine interest to resolve this without me calling my bank to dispute the charge made to your company.
On 20 February, 2012 I rented a car from your company office at the JFK Airport, paying in advance by credit card.
ReplyDeleteYour company courtesy bus took me to the car, without allowing any time to examine the vehicle condition, which later caused me significant inconvenience.
I encountered the following problems while using your vehicle: it appeared that the car had not been cleaned recently, there was no washer fluid available, and the car engine stopped abruptly in the middle of the highway, forcing me to pay a $50 call-out fee for a tow truck.
When contacting your airport office, I was assured by a company representative that I would receive a 50% discount on the hire charge as compensation, as well as full reimbursement.
Unfortunately, when I returned the car, I found your office had closed for the day; I had to leave a note and wait for your company to take further action, something which has not happened so far, but which I am looking forward to.
Hello.
ReplyDeleteMy name Filippa, I've been in touch with your custumer service concerning the car I rented which was in very poor condition. They told me to contact you to take this matter further, there were a lot of garbage and animal hair in the car i rented, I'm allergic to fur and it was resulting in severe rash and pain. This is completely unacceptable and I demand compensation for it. I have been a custumer at Carrental for a very long time and i expect high quality of the service and the cars you are offering. I have been very pleased in previous business with you and i hope we can agree on a solution of this problem together. / Filippa
On the February 13, 2012 I rented a car from your you company which was in very poor condition and not serviced, see photos attached.
ReplyDeleteThis car broke down on I 80 at exit 13, in the rain at 7:15 pm, see attached documents.
I contacted your service desk on February 14 and they assured me that I would be reimbursed for the tow truck, and that my charges would receive a 50 % reduction on my bill in compensation.
The 16th of February at 6:60 pm, I left the car at the drop point and returned to the service desk, which was deserted and returned the keys in the slot.
To my amazement on my credit card statement for the month of February, I was billed for the full amount for the rental and not reimbursed for expenses.
Dear xxx,
ReplyDeleteI rented a car from ShittyCar & CO in New York on February 29th and I am sorry to inform you that there seem to have been some kind of misunderstandings with the billing where I have been charged for expenses for which I have been promised being reimbursed.
I would also like to inform you that the car I was given did not only reek of cigarettes, sweat and old food, but was also out of washer fluids upon departure which made the vehicle hazardous on the road when rain was pouring down and dirty spray splashed the window.
Unfortunately, the engine of the same vehicle broke down on the highway and I was assured that the $50 dollar I paid the towing company would be compensated as well as receiving a 50% discount on my rental bill when returning the car at the airport.
Upon agreed arrival-time at the rental returns, the office was closed and I had no other choice than returning the keys in the returns box without a chance to speak to anyone that could help me adjusting my bill.
I am sure we can solve this problem easily and I am happy to discuss solutions or compensations that we both agree on.
Caroline
The car was in an unacceptable condition with leftovers and full ashtrays.
ReplyDeleteWith no other way of getting to New York City and because of the heavy rain, it was my only choice.
Clearly, the car was in a very bad mechanical condition since the engine stopped not long after my departure.
I was assured I would receive a discount because of the state of the car and a full refund for my call-out charge.
The car lending office was closed when I arrived to return the car so I wrote them a note which I left along with the car keys.
On November 5th I rented one of your cars in order to drive to New York and back, paying in advance as I thought it’d be more convenient but the car turned out to be in very poor condition.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, the car was filled with garbage that made it very unpleasant to drive and the lack of service on the car led to me not being able to clean the windscreen, as there was no washer fluid.
When driving on the freeway, the car suddenly broke down and I had to pay a $50 fee to a tow truck driver, money that one of your employees assured me would be refunded along with a 50 % discount on the hire charge.
After my visit to New Your I returned to your car park, only to find that your company’s desk had closed for the day, so I decided to write a note and drop it, along with the keys, in the returns box.
After getting back home I checked my credit card statement and to my surprise I had been debited the full amount and the money I was promised were nowhere to be seen.
After I had been driving for a while, it appeared that the car had a lack of safety since there was no washer fluid. Which is a fundamental aspect of security when it comes to cars.
ReplyDeleteSo I had to pay the tow truck driver $50 but was promised by your representatives that I would be compensated for my expenses.
When I arrived to return the car at 9.00 pm there was no one at the desk that I could talk to concerning my bill, so I dropped my keys along with a note in the returns box.
I was told on the phone that I would receive a 50% discount on the hire charge, but when I got back home I could see that I had been debited for the full amount.
To whom it may concern.
ReplyDeleteRecently I rented the car from your company; unfortunately the car was left inappropriate condition. The car was not clean, there wasn’t washer fluid. Above all things I paid tow truck driver the 50$ call-out charge personally because the engine was stopped.
It is with regret that I must inform you that the compensation which is giving me 50% discount and getting me 50$ back was NOT offered. My credit card bill was charged full of amount.
Over the phone, I requested the compensation your company promised me. However my request was not accepted. This situation is unacceptable to me and I would like to receive my compensation as soon as possible.
I look forward to hearing a satisfactory explanation within 3 days.
Malin Sandqvist Sivander
ReplyDeleteFirst of all the car was terribly dirty on the inside: a half-eaten pizza was left in the back seat, the ashtray was full and the car totally smelt of sweat and beer.
When I reached the high way, the engine stopped, so I contacted you and was told to pay the $50 call-out charge for a tow truck that helped me.
Speaking to your company on the 29th of February, I was pleased to hear that you would give me a 50% discount of the hire charge and return the $50 for the price of the tow truck.
It made me surprised noticing your desk at the airport was unattended and deserted at the agreed time.
There appears to be a mistake in your billing, as we agreed on a 50% discount of the hire charge and also that you would return the $50 tow truck charge.
I am writing to inform you of my disappointment about the service you provided. My name is Wan-Chun, Hung. I rented a car at the airport. First of all,the courtesy bus took me to the car and left me immediately without any further information about the car.
ReplyDeleteSecond, It was very dirty in the car, there was half of a pizza left there. There was no washer fluid for the windscreen.
Worst of all, the car broke down and your personnel told me to pay the tow truck drivers 50 dollars of call-out charge. And he assured me that I will get 50 percent discount and 50 dollars back.
Now I have left the car , and you still charged me full amount!
I am therefore to reject the payment and insist on a 50 percent plus 50 dollars refund. Otherwise I may be forced to take legal action.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Wan-Chun,Hung
Sheyla Gallardo Rodríguez
ReplyDeleteI recently flew to New York and rented a car from your company at the same airport. Since the treatment and the poor state of repair of the car caused me a lot of trouble, my intention with this letter is to make you know that I am very upset with your services.
First of all, the “courtesy” bus left me alone in the parking with all the baggage, when it started to rain. Moreover, the car was in dreadful conditions, but the waste and the unpleasant smell were not the worst part.
In addition, the car had no washer fluid. To cap it all, the engine suddenly stopped and I had a breakdown. These incidents would never happen if the car fulfilled all the requirements.
When I called your company in order to complain, they told me that I should pay the tow truck and you would give me back the money and a 50% discount. To my great surprise, I had to pay the full amount and I have not heard from my compensation yet.
As it never rains but it pours, I arrived at the airport a couple of hours before leaving and the desk was already empty; no one of your employees was still there. Furthermore, when I called the airport office they denied all knowledge of the conversation I had with them.
Dear Sirs,
ReplyDeleteI am writing to you because I recently rented a car from one of your offices in New York and unfortunately I am very dissatisfied.
When renting a car I have the expectation that the car should be clean, that the car is filled with necessary things such as washer fluid and that the car should be able to drive.
This was sadly not the case when I rented the car in New York and imagine my disappointment growing when I was promised compensation and a discount but still hasn’t received it.
I am very sorry that the colleagues of yours at the New York office doesn’t want to help me with what they have promised and that’s why I am now contacting the head office.
I am hoping for the understanding and help that I think I deserve as your costumer and I look forward to hearing from you shortly with a solution.
Utku OZGUR
ReplyDeleteHello my name is Utku OZGUR
I flew to Washington for a business trip. I rented a car at the airport from your company and I had some problems with your car. Below I’m writing my problems that I had with your car.
My first complaint about your company is about the cleanliness of the car, because I found mud and the ashtrays on mops, and the car smelled like expired egg, this was not acceptable.
I consider that when a car is handed over to a customer, everything should be in perfect order, but in my case car wa not sp clean, engine was not working properly I had a breakdown even I was driving my car on a highway.
When I contacted with your company with a number of complaints, they told me that I would receive a 50% discount on the hire charge to compensate me for the inconvenience, and that never happened.
The other problem that I had was when I had the brakedown in the middle of a highway I tried to reach your office by phone however nobody responded my calls. I fixed car by my own and kept driving. Please answer your phone!!
On the 5th of September, I flew in to New York, hired a car from your office at the airport and paid in advance by credit card.
ReplyDeleteI was taken to the car park, but was left alone before I had inspected the car which was in a disgusting state; it was dirty with old food and rubbish left behind by the previous renter, no washer fluid, and then the car broke down on the freeway, which lead to me having to pay 50 dollars for a tow truck to get it started again.
I was in contact with your company agent at the airport who promised me a refund for the 50 dollars, and also a discount on the renting price.
However, when I returned to the airport, the desk was unattended, so I left the keys in a box with a note, only to notice later that I had been debited the full amount with no refund.
I was directed from the office at the airport, to write to you about this matter, and hopefully get some help to clear up the situation.
My name is Charlotte Avestedt and I was recently on a business trip when I decided to rent a car from your company.
ReplyDeleteI am sad to say I am not happy with the experience I have gotten from doing business with you.
First of all, it is not customer care to just drop off and leave your customer at the car park without even doing a proper screening of the car rented.
As a customer you expect the car to be in excellent condition, not to have a half eaten pizza in the back of the car or the fact that you, as a customer, need to pay extra to fill the car with washer fluid.
But most of all it is unacceptable to offer a 50% discount of the hire charge as well as a refund on the tow truck call-out charge, without delivering on any of those promises – this is all unacceptable.
Nguyen Quynh Nga
ReplyDeleteI am writing this letter to complaint about poor follow-up car renting service of your company at New York airport and delay of payment of 50% compensation fee to me.
I had a business trip to New York on 20/01/2012 and used your service ( hired a car and my order number is 66123).
Honestly, I was really disappointed with your service. It was not only poor organized and professional in the way of helping the renter with luggage, making cleaning, and checking the car before renting out but also the delay in paying back 50% discounted rental price as compensation to me as promissed.
I was advised by airport officer to contact with you to solve this problem for me.
I hope to get feedback soon and thank you very much for reading my email.
Dear Car4Rent,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Darko Balaban and I would like to make a formal complaint.
On the 4th of March this year I made a business trip to New York. At the airport I made a reservation with your company to lease a car for the duration of my stay there.
Let me firstly state that I never ever experienced anything like I did that day. The car contained leftovers from pizza not to mention that there was a smell in the car that was indescribable
When I finally managed to get on my way it didn't take very long before the warning lights switched on and the engine stopped. I had to call for a tow truck in order to get my vehicle working. After getting hold of someone at your call service I was told to simply pay the call-out charge and that I would be reimbursed.
On the following day I called your company and explained what had happened and I was assured that the call-out charge together with a 50% discount would be issued. You can imagine my surprise when I received my credit card statement showing that you had debited me for the full amount despite your reassurance.
My name is Annie Saelao and I was recently in New York where I rented a car from your airport office.
ReplyDeleteI regret to inform you that the service I received was not to my full satisfaction and I am writing this letter with the intention of solving this misunderstanding and to be compensated, as promised by your staff for the inconveniences caused by the situation.
Unfortunately the car was in a non-acceptable condition.IF there would have been a proper inspection which is generally the case, I would have detected that earlier and never accepted the car from the first place, but there was none.
The car was untidy, and it was quite obvious that it hadn't been cleaned since the last time it was used because there was food leftovers and an unpleasant smell of cigarettes and beer inside. Halfway to my destination, I discovered that it was out of washer fluid and on top of it all, the engine broke down which resulted in an additional cost of 50 dollars for the tow truck call-out.
I informed your staff at the airport office about the incidents whereupon they assured me that I was going to be compensated for my expenses and also receive a 50% discount on the price when I dropped off the car. This was never fulfilled since the office was unattended at the agreed time. I assume there has been a miscommunication somewhere amongst your staff and I hope for this matter to be resolved as soon as possible. After all, I did not get the service I paid for.
To whom it may concern,
ReplyDeleteOn the 20th of January, during a business trip to New York, I used one of your rental services from your office near the John. F. Kennedy airport, I had a very important business meeting that afternoon, which is why I accepted to pay in advance by debit card without checking the car beforehand.
You can imagine my disappointment when I discovered the car was in a very unpleasant state, it was not washed before I rented it, inside of the car the smell was disgusting and I found a half-eaten pizza on the back seat. Nevertheless I tried to drive to my meeting regardless but then the engine of the car broke down and I had to pay $50 for a tow truck to get it started again.
When I spoke to your company the day after, your employee promised a 50% discount on the rental car and my $50 for the tow truck to be reimbursed, I believed this seemed fair, but yesterday after looking at my account I noticed that I was debited for the full amount and not the promised 50%.
I am fully sure you understand my dismay and indignation and I hope we could find an amicable solution as soon as possible.
Sincerely yours,
Boris Fontaine
Owing to the very poor service that I received upon using your car renting service I wish to put through a number of complaints. This includes terrible hygiene within the car, insufficient function of the car as well as unreliable staff.
ReplyDelete… Since the soiled window presented a safety problem I tried to clean it myself but was unable to since there was no washer fluid. …
Due to the vast inconvenience this has caused me, I feel entitled to be compensated. The least I expect is to be refunded the $50 I paid for the tow truck to repair your car as well as receive the promised discount.
Kind Regards,
Filippa Fridhagen
I am sorry to have to inform you about the inconvenience I have been experienced as a customer for your company the nearest days while visiting New York for business.
ReplyDeleteThe car was dirty, did not have any washer fluid and broke down on a freeway, which is totally unacceptable.
The car needed help from a tow truck and I was promised to get a refund for this expense and receive a 50% discount, but your office was closed when I arrived at agreed time.
There appears to be a mistake in your billing because I have not been receiving any back money to my credit card.
I demand an immediate explanation for why this lack of service has happened to me and I require full compensation as agreed.
Regards,
Tomas Jonsson
I rented a car from you that unfortunately included a lot of problems…
ReplyDeleteTo start with, the car was dirty and smelled really bad. I found an old pizza in the car and the ashtray was full. Because of lack of time I didn´t have time to inform you about this problem. Instead I drove against New york there I had a business meeting.
But just after a couple of miles more complication with the car happened – the engine stopped (and there wasn’t any washing fluid). I paid the tow truck driver the call-out charge as you told me to do when I called you.
I understand that there can be situations like this. But I also know it is your responsible to take care of the situation.
The discount and the charge adjustment must be back to my account as soon as possible (as you promised over the phone).
When I got the car, it was not only badly cleaned, it wasn't cleaned
ReplyDeleteat all: There were the leftovers of a half eaten pizza on the back
seat, the ash trays were full and the whole car smelt of beer and
sweat.
After calling your company's office your employee told me that I will
be refunded when I return the car as I had to pay 50 $ for a tow
truck.
When I got back to the airport at 9 pm to return the car your
company's desk was empty, so I hadn't had the chance to speak to one
of your employees again or to get my money back.
Directly after I received my last credit card statement and saw that
you had debited me for the full amount, I called your company's
office, but they denied to know anything about the case and the
discount I was promised.
I would be happy to hear from you soon, so we find a solution that
both of us feel good with.
On 11 March, 2012 I rented a car from your company in New York and it was not a very pleasant experience.
ReplyDeleteYour staff left me at the car park without even make sure I was satisfied with the car, which I wasn’t since the car was filthy with an old pizza, it had no washer fluid to clean the windscreen with and I didn't get far before the car broke down and I had to call for a tow truck.
I contacted the staff at your company and they told me that they should refund me for the $50 I paid for repairing the car and that I would also receive a 50% discount of the hire charge when I returned the car.
Unfortunately, your office at the airport was closed for the day when I returned, and because of that I didn’t get a chance to speak to anyone in your staff about the refund I was promised.
When I got home I noticed that I still had been charged for the full amount and that I hadn’t got any refund for the repair cost so I called the office at the airport whom directed me to write to you about this matter, and hopefully you could solve this.
I rented a car from your company at the airport office in New York City on March 3rd, 2012 and I am sorry to inform you of this but it seems to be some sort of misunderstanding with the total amount that I have been charged for your services.
ReplyDeleteI would like to notice that the car I was given was in a very unsatisfactory condition: there was some garbage on the back seat and the car had a strong smell of cigarettes, beer and sweat as well as a lack of water fluid which was extremely needed after the rain had stopped to prevent a possibility of an accident.
When I was heading off towards New York City, the engine of the car suddenly stopped, and I had to pay $50 call-out charge to towing company to bring the car back on a track which still were not reimbursed as I was reassured from the phone call with your representatives.
Moreover I was also promised to get 50 % discount for all inconveniences I had on my bill when returning the car back at the airport office but when I arrived on the agreed time your office was closed so I left the keys in the return box hoping that you would adjust my bill later on which you did not do.
I am sure we can solve this problem amicably, otherwise if this is not forthcoming I will have no other alternatives but to place this matter in the hands of my solicitors.
I recently went on a business trip to New York and hired a rental car at your airport desk paying with my credit card.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to inform you that I have had a lot of difficulties with the car, among others it broke down on the freeway resulting in $50 call-out charge.
When I called to inform about my complaints I was assured to be refunded for my expenses and receive a 50% discount on the hire charge to compensate for the inconvenience.
Your company desk was empty when I arrived to the airport so I dropped my keys into the returns box and left a note explaining my situation.
When I received my credit card statement I had been debited for the full amount and there were no sign of the compensation, I hope to get an explanation immediately.
Best regards, Jimmy Heibert
When I arrived at the car, I regret to inform you that the car wasn’t in a good condition, there was a lot of garbage inside the car and a smell of cigarettes and sweat, also there was no washer fluid to clean the windscreen.
DeleteUnfortunately the engine of the car stopped during my journey and I had to pay $50 dollar to the towing company which repaired the car, your company assured me this amount would be compensated on the bill and that I would receive a discount of 50% as well.
At the agreed arrival time, I returned the car to the office, however the office was closed and there was no one I could talk to about the caused inconvenience.
Back home I checked my credit card statement and there appears to be a problem with the billing, the promised $50 dollar refund and the 50% discount were not included on the bill, I hope you understand that I was not pleased about this.
I’m sure that we can solve this problem and I hope to hear from you soon.
When I arrived at the car, I regret to inform you that the car wasn’t in a good condition, there was a lot of garbage inside the car and a smell of cigarettes and sweat, also there was no washer fluid to clean the windscreen.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the engine of the car stopped during my journey and I had to pay $50 dollar to the towing company which repaired the car, your company assured me this amount would be compensated on the bill and that I would receive a discount of 50% as well.
At the agreed arrival time, I returned the car to the office, however the office was closed and there was no one I could talk to about the caused inconvenience.
Back home I checked my credit card statement and there appears to be a problem with the billing, the promised $50 dollar refund and the 50% discount were not included on the bill, I hope you understand that I was not pleased about this.
I’m sure that we can solve this problem and I hope to hear from you soon.
Unfortunately I was not very pleased with the car that I hired at your company’s desk at the New York airport.
ReplyDeleteNot only had the car not been cleaned after the last client, but also there was no washing fluid.
When the car broke down on the highway I was advised by your representative to pay the $50 call out-charge to the tow truck driver, money that I was promised would be returned to me when I dropped of the car on my way home.
I am hoping that by contacting you this unfortunate episode could get a happy ending.
I trust that you will do what is needed to help me get my $50 back, and that your company keeps the promise made by your representative that I would receive a 50% discount on the hire charge to compensate for the inconvenience.
I am writing this letter because of an experience I had recently when renting a car through your company at JFK Airport.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got into the car I noticed the car was filthy, there was a half-eaten pizza in the back of the car, the ash trays were full and there was a smell of beer and sweat.
On the way to New York I also noticed there was a dirty spray splashing up on the windscreen and no washing fluid in the car, this resulted in the engine stopping and warning lights coming on.
When I got in touch with you the following day you assured me I would get 50 % discount and that the charges will be adjusted when I bring the car back, this did not happen because when I got to the airport there was no one there to assist me.
Last but not least, I noticed I have been charged the full amount and everything you have promised is not yet fulfilled.
I believe you would want me and my friends to use your services again and I would highly value to hear back from you regarding the experiences I had.
Sorry, I noticed I have six sentences, you can ignore the second sentence in the comment. Thanks /Julia
DeleteI revert to you because I am very disappointed in the very unprofessional disrespectful way I have been treated by your company.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I had to go by the courtesy bus to even get to the car I had rented from you.
At least, you must be able to expect that the car is clean and that the washer fluid tank is full when you first enter it.
It can cause serious and danger situations for both the driver and for the other road users to be without washer fluid.
Like all this problems were not enough, when I look at my next credit card statement, you did yet debited me for the full amount.
Dear Mr Smith
ReplyDeleteI am writing this letter to issue a complaint regarding your non efficient service at JFK airport, 7th of January 2012.
Firstly, the car I hired from your company was utterly unsatisfactory given that I found old food in the backseat, the ashtray full of ashes and a dreadful smell of beer and sweat.
Secondly, the washer fluid tank was empty, and since this day was a rainy and muddy day, a horrible accident could have caused a severe accident but the engine crashed and I had to pull over.
Thirdly, a tow truck pulled over and assisted me so I could get in time for my business meeting. However, this was a cost of $50 whom one of your employees, Martin Stiller, assured me would be transferred to my companies account following day thus, nothing has happened and customer service now claims this matter ever took place.
I have enclosed with this letters a copy of the bill and I expect to hear from you as soon as possible in order to fix this inconvenience I had to experience.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Emelie Pedersen