Europcar be careful

bez7997

Hi all, 2weeks ago I enquired about renting a car everything seemed ok , as I was on my way to collect I had a phone call apologising stating i could not take the car as I did not hold correct documentation. I was gutted but thought no more about it.  On the Monday I went to do my shopping and to my horror my card declined. After a few attempts and no joy I went home jumped online and saw that I had £210.89 and available balance £4.00. But nowhere stating why.  I rang my bank (24hr helpline) they had told me that £206.89 had been ' earmarked' by europcar.  So I had to wait till Monday morning thinking it will be sorted straight away, OH how wrong was I.  My bank said that there was nothing they could do and that I should contact europcar.  So I contact europcar,  not helpful at all.  They basically said wait 3-10 days and it will be available. 
Now to me this is very bad practice and please tell me if I am looking at this wrong.
I reserved a car and then was told by europcar that I could not have it.
£206.89 called for by europcar for something I have not had.
7days to date and money still not available.
Very very rude branch manager and customer help desk

Now my branch manager at my bank has told me to take this further, any help would be much appreciated. 
Mark

Moglex

This is one of those odd things that are quite unreasonable (i.e. a company can deprive you of the use of your money instantly, but to reverse that deprivation takes some days), but our wonderful MP's and regulators do nothing about.

Perhaps if everyone who is inconvenienced by this were to complain to whoever they could think of, it might stir someone into action.

It was very similar with the time taken to clear cheques. The banks said it could not be done any faster, then TPTB told them they had to improve, so they did.

garth549

Card authorisations can be cancelled which makes the funds made available again instantly.  The problem is some companies either don't implement it or they have c*appy systems that don't allow them to do it.

Eventually the authorisation expires (few days? not sure exactly how long) and the funds automatically return.