Mietwagen in Rochester

Negativ: Overcharged

the location was closed!

Positiv: nothing

Negativ: the location kayak sent us to was closed!!!!

Avis Bait and Switch

Negativ: Avis did not have the car class that was confirmed in the reservation available -- in fact, they had no cars, only SUVs and a van. We had confirmed the reservation for a premium and without an upcharge only an SUV was available which was unsuitable for the event we were attending. We had no other choice but to upgrade to a van for an extra $100 or leave without a large enough vehicle. We should have walked away instead of agreeing to the extra expense. Avis will not consider any sort of refund for the extra charge which is very disappointing. Obvious bait and switch tactic and very unprofessional. In the future there are many other rental agencies to consider other than Avis.

Positiv: The sales agent was accommodating.

Negativ: The counter was busy and I found it tiresome to wait around to get some unresolved questions. The SUV that I rented appeared to be fine however there was windshield wiper fluid. It was totally empty. I reported this to the agent in Buffalo who tried to convince me that it was frozen. That was the reason given. This is the way they justified the fact that they didn't have fluid. Totally unacceptable given the conditions that I had to drive on in the winter storm.

Negativ: Car had no windshield wiper fluid and was dangerous to drive in the snow

unorganized

Positiv: Car was clean, at least.

Negativ: Ridiculously long line with one employee apparently working the counter for three different car rental companies. Stood in line for 20 minutes before getting served (in part because all of the super-special priority people get to cut in line), and by then it was after midnight. Employee tells us: the computer says you were renting the car yesterday, not today. Us: "when we got in line, it was yesterday." Had he never worked the late shift? Pro tip: people on planes arriving at 11:30 pm are sometimes still standing in your line at midnight. It took 10 minutes for the employee to wrap his head around the fact that we'd hoped to be on our way before midnight and get the rental finished. Drop-off was also a mess, with all the parking spaces full and no one to direct people where to go. And the car was just uncomfortable. I'm on the short side, and there was no way to adjust the seat comfortably so that I had back support without the headrest shoving my head uncomfortable forward--even with a jacket rolled up behind me to compensate.