Complain about a product or service

Avis - Surprise Repo

Avis • Corporate Points program • International thievery • Disputed return date • A visit from Repo Man • Additional driver charges • Young drivers • 4WD vs. AWD • Misc. problems

Antoinietta of Cedar Hill TX writes (10/1/03):
I had been renting from Avis on a weekly basis from June 27th to September 5, 2003, which was the last time I went in to pay and start what would be my last rental agreement with them. On September 23, 2003 Avis sent a repo man to my home without asking me to return the vehicle. After asking the man to let me call the person I had been speaking with, I went in my house and he came in my garage and took the car.

My husband, hearing someone in the garage, ran out and yelled for the man to stop, because our children's school books and personal items were in the car. The man proceeded to drive off dragging my husband. My kids started yelling and screaming for the man to stop. Nevertheless, Avis charged my Visa Debit Card without my consent $1,400.00 plus for 17 days. The weekly rate was only $195.93, which means I should have only been charged 459.00 + tax.

After arguing with Avis about the charges they agreeded to only credit my account back $511.50, still charging me almost $900.00. This is a rip-off, because I was never asked to return the vehicle. To this date, Avis is holding my children's belongings as well as my personal items. I will never rent from them again nor will I reccomend them to anyone.

I would like to know how or what can I do, to Avis for not giving me any options as to return the vehicle. According to VJ the clerk at Avis, she told my husband and I that she told her main office that me and my husband were good customers and that we were no threat as to running with their vehicle. She apologized for Avis behavior. VJ also made an attempt to get my children's school books and shoes.

This caused my checking account to be overdrawn by almost $2,000.00. My husband missed work that day, because his arm and legs were scratched up. We did show his marks to the Cedar Hill Avis Rent A Car clerk named VJ. I have no problem with paying the amount I owed them, I just feel like I should not have to pay $900.00 plus for 17 days nor should I be held responsible for paying any towing fees because I was never asked to return the vehicle.

Antoinietta should file against Avis in Small Claims Court, seeking the disputed rental amount, the towing charge, the cost to replace her children's belongings, any medical costs her husband incurred and the amount of any wages he lost by not going to work that day. This is the simplest and least expensive way to resolve the issue.

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