car rental --let down at last minute!

gasman

I hope this will be a warning to other people hoping to hire a car from 'Auto Europe'.
I reserved and paid for a Cabriolet car at the beginning of August and the rental was due to begin at the airport in Madeira on 29/08/05, on the 26th I was emailed by 'Auto-Europe' asking if I had any further requirements as it was only a few days to my arrival and that the car was available and the spec" requested etc......Then at 4pm on 27th I was phoned and told that their suppliers had defaulted and I no longer had the car I had been promised (or any other open top car). They then offered me a Vw Golf for the same cost--I don't think so!.....I complained and after a lot of discussion it was agreed that they would let me have the Golf for a longer period-for the same cost. However, when they sent me confirmation by email the price had increased and I once again phoned to complain....I was told that was their only offer!!!
I asked for a full refund to which they agreed..and I am hoping to receive it.
Has anyone else had this type of problem with this company? I would be very interested to learn.

Mr_Warren_2

That's the problem with booking cars via Mickey Mouse companies. At least with Hertz/Avis/Europca etc. you would have redress but "Auto Europe" does not ring the bell with me. Hope you have better luck next time with another supplier.

MarkyMarkD

Unfortunately Auto Europe are an Irish company, so you can't rely on credit card s.75 protection. If they were British, I would say:

(1) call your card company straight away telling them about the problem;


if they don't instantly get it sorted out,

(2) book the convertible with another company, paying on the same credit card;
(3) enter a dispute with the credit card company for the return of the difference (which means the full amount of the second booking, if the initial booking hasn't been refunded).

Essentially Auto Europe have breached their supply contract and they are liable to restore your position i.e. to pay for you to get the car from elsewhere.

But as I say, they are NOT a British company - so s.75 doesn't apply - so you don't have much leg to stand on.

It's a warning against booking from non-British companies.

Interestingly, the whois for their website states that it's registered by:

AutoEurope LLC

at this UK address:

Auto Europe UK
Kings Court
Earl Grey Way
Royal Quays
North Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE29 6AR
GB

Check the terms and conditions of your supply contract and whether it mentions a UK operation as your supplier, rather than the Irish based entity.

chudies

agree with the above
NEVER USE AUTOEUROPE!!!!!!
very poor customer services, and since they are based in ireland, you cant follow up!!!

Ldn_2

Mr_Warren wrote:

That's the problem with booking cars via Mickey Mouse companies. At least with Hertz/Avis/Europca etc. you would have redress but "Auto Europe" does not ring the bell with me. Hope you have better luck next time with another supplier.

I've always had good service from Auto Europe, just because you have not heard of them does not make them a Mickey Mouse company.