grrhhh need to rant

[timwilky]

Part of the persuasion to give up my company car was they will supply me with a hire vehicle when ever I need to travel and think of all the tax you are paying.

In general the hire has been working until recently.

I hire a class C 1.6 focus.

Lately they have supplied not a focus but a 1.2 polo, a 1.4 fiat brava, and today a 1.2 kia rio. My journey each week is 2 days Preston -> Rugby -> Bristol -> Preston. with 8 hour working days between the journeys

I have now had to cancel 3 meetings this month all because Hertz say they only have class B cars available, despite me booking a week in advance.

I am now having to break company rules and order a class D for just myself just to ensure I get a car suitable for the journey.


Why is it that their contract supposedly says they can substitute a similar of the same class, and they decide that this also means a lower class?

3 times in one month I have phoned them and told them to take it away. Surely they should realise by now to either meet or exceed the requirement.



BTW my boss is supportive and making me document the issues. No choice global company agreement and rates, I must use Hertz.

Once in 4 weeks have they provided a car I was prepared to try, that was a 1.6 diesel Seat Ibiza. No lumber support. My back gave out after driving back from Bristol so never again with that either.

Rant over, spleen vented. do I feel better. No. Why did I ever agree to give up the company car?

[JamesMio]

Originally Posted by timwilky

Lately they have supplied not a focus but a 1.2 polo, a 1.4 fiat brava, and today a 1.2 kia rio. My journey each week is 2 days Preston -> Rugby -> Bristol -> Preston.

They don't allow smaller engined cars into Rugby or Bristol?

Originally Posted by timwilky

I have now had to cancel 3 meetings this month all because Hertz say they only have class B cars available, despite me booking a week in advance.

Have I read that right? You've cancelled business meetings because the car you were presented with to get from A to B was smaller than the Ford Focus you'd booked?
What are you transporting, server racks?

I'm not (deliberately!) trying to wind you up here dude, but... isn't that a little J-Lo'esque?!

[L3nny]

First world problems are a biatch

[maviczap]

Had similar issue with H cars before, although its going back a few years

Sometimes we would get something lovely to drive, other times beat up Ford Orion's or Metro's

Drove a Metro from Felixstowe to Portsmouth, man that was a back aching trip.

Glad I don't rely on hire cars at the moment, although an edict came out the other day saying because of the lack of pool cars, we must use public transport or hire cars for certain journeys.

So maybe back to the days of hire cars again.(That is until the budget runs out)

Worst one apart from the Metro was a Fiat Brava, most uncomfortable throttle position ever.

Best Audi 80 I think

[timwilky]

My main issue is they don't give me the option. I come home to find whatever they have left on my door step. In the past the manager has said that wherever possible he will upgrade me as I hire from them every week. But lately they simply do not have the vehicles.

It is down to the hire company, unless it gets through to head office that they are not supplying the vehicles customers ask for, I am going to be stuck with the rubbish.

I have back problems and not exactly svelte. I need to arrive on my customer site 150+ miles away fit to do a days work. Small cramped cars with a lack of lumber support etc. Mean I arrive knackered.

Put it this way, if you hired a GSXR 600 you would be generally happy if they supplied a CBR, R6 ZX etc. they have the right to substitute an alternative. Who knows it might be a blade, R1 etc. However, would you be happy if that substitute was a Linfan 250? After all it will sit on the motorway at 70mph.

[Sid Squid]

Whether Tim's being a prima-donna or not, the agreement is for one thing, they should supply or not take the booking.

[Nobbylad]

Have a word with your procurement dept and fill them in on the details. Most companies have rolling reviews and procurement depts always seem to be full of people waiting to catch out their suppliers.

[Red ones]

So first world problem. That said I'm known for rejecting hire cars because I don't like the smell!

Don't start me off on this one.....

My wife had to go to Norwich for her job, so she booked a hire car. The trip was on the Monday and so National decided to leave the car at our house on the Friday before.... We live at the top of a hill. The drive slopes quite noticeably...... so the muppet who left the car failed to put the handbrake on and it rolls down the drive and through a neighbours fence.....

They take that car away, agree to fix the neighbours fence and leave a new car. We were actually away during all this excitement but had to force national to leave the new car in gear so we didn't get a repeat of the fence demolition. Leaving cars in gear is against their policy.....

We're told the new car has a faulty fuel gauge and to ignore it. "It says it's half full but we've checked and re-checked and the fuel tank is full to the brim", so it runs out of fuel on the M11...... RAC turn up, add fuel, problem solved, but I think my wife found that having the engine stop when you're in the fast lane of a motorway isn't a calming experience....

We get lots of apologies from National, the area manager turns up at our house with a bouquet of flowers for the Mrs, LOTS of grovelling. Then their legal department send us a letter saying they're going to pursue us for the costs of the RAC call out and damage(?) to the car..... Wife does passable impression of Nuclear ICBM....

She's got another trip to Norwich in a couple of weeks, I'm hoping we don't get a repeat of this fiasco......

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by Nobbylad

Have a word with your procurement dept and fill them in on the details. Most companies have rolling reviews and procurement depts always seem to be full of people waiting to catch out their suppliers.

Hence me keeping a record of issues. It would appear the new manager of the local Hertz is taking the proverbial in what she supplies.

Her predecessor was fine. He would where possible upgrade the vehicle. Never downgrade.