amo_mea_filiis. Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I wanted to rent a car ($20) for ds's appointment today. There's no way to know if my car will make the drive, so i considered the small rental fee very worth it. I called on Monday to reserve a car only to find out that i can't rent! I have a debit card, my insurance will cover an accident in a rental, have a clean and valid driver's license for more than 10 years, and planned to pay cash for the car as well as leave my car in their lot. I really thought i had everything covered. They want original proof of income and a bank statement (clearly showing direct deposit) is not good enough. They want a pay stub; I'm not employed. When i mentioned my source of income, they want official documentation. They wanted social security to fax them proof as well as the court order for child support! They also required 3 months of 2 separate utility bills! I don't know what they do with these documents and I'm certainly not giving them my son's disability award letter with all sorts of personal information. I'm also not going to give them my court order with details about custody, visitation, and child support. My bank statements clearly document the source and amount of direct deposit and i could go back years to show consistency. I wanted the car for 6 hours! Am i crazy in thinking they're looking for too much information? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Last time I checked, you need to be over 21 (or 25, depending), valid license and have billable method of payment. I discovered at an airport counter that the company I'd made my reservation with would take my Visa debit card, once, but another rental company did. Ive never been asked to provide any other documentation. A quick google search confirms this hasn't changed. Is this a national chain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 Yes. Enterprise. I called the main customer service number who said that they couldn't do anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 They said the visa debit was fine as long as i provided all the other documentation. I have access to a major credit card but didn't want to have to ask for it. If something happens today, I will ask for it for the next appointment so i can rent a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 $20/day? Are you going with a cheap small company? They tend to deal with ese's realizable people, so if they haven't been contracted through a big obviously stable financial source ( my ins co got a rental through one of these places when my car was in the shop once) then they are going to double check and demand backup. Theyve probably been burned a few times and so their standard procedure requires everything except a DNAsample. I know this because my company has had a lot of people walk away from their debts to us. Now when new people contract with us we get information onallincome and social security numbers. It is very difficult to collection a debt if you don't have all the information to present in court and it's not like you can get the info after someone doesn't pay. You think it is only $20, but what if bunches of $20 fees weren't paid? What if you just ddn't retun the car or got int an accident and it was your fault. Parking tickets you dont pay go to the owner of the car. All these costs add up, especially for a small company. And so they start demanding to know all identification info and income streams to protect themselves. If you were paying more at a national chain with a credit card, this wouldn't be a problem. They just charge the credit card any charge and you get it inthe bill later. Sometimes they charge parking tickets or damage to your credit card that go to another rental and you have to back and prove they are charging the wrong person in order to get your money back, but the company makes that a hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I've never had good experiences with them, including delivering a subcompact with no rear seatbelts when a large car was reserved, overcharges, "lost" reservations... At least the one in my area is just horrible. Is there another company in your area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Oh I see your update. Glad it will workout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 This is the ONLY company in the area. I'd have to go 45 minutes away for more choices. I don't have an option for today. Ds has a neuropsych appointment, again. Last time i tried, my car died 30 minutes from home. $130 for the tow, another $100 for the repair. I'm scared that my poor car will crap out again and i don't even know what else to check on it! My father has a few major credit cards with my name on them (i used to run business errands for him so it was easier to have my own cards), but they're not with me. He's coming to visit this weekend and i can ask him for a card so we can safely get to ds's EEG in a couple weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 A cab for a 2 hour drive (and 2 back home, plus wait time) would be insane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 I got the ok for the credit card for the Delaware trip (EEG). My father said he was going to pay for the rental anyway and using the card will be easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelenNotOfTroy Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 For next time, I was able to rent a car without a credit card by having a large cash deposit with enterprise ($200 about 8 years ago). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 For next time, I was able to rent a car without a credit card by having a large cash deposit with enterprise ($200 about 8 years ago). That did not work for me (at JFK, with a national chain, 20 years ago) I never used my credit card so I let it expire, then flew home and wanted to rent a car. No go. Even a large deposit (several hundred dollars) won't begin to cover a car if you don't come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzymom Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 That is insane! If you have a clean driver's record, money for rental and have a stable home address, I cannot imagine needing more. I am glad it is working out for you. Good luck at the appointments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 For next time, I was able to rent a car without a credit card by having a large cash deposit with enterprise ($200 about 8 years ago). If i could afford to put up a deposit, i could put that money into my car and not have to worry about it. :( I'm still paying off the last tow and repair to my father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I rented a car from Enterprise last year when my brother was here, he put the deposit hold on his card - they didn't require any of that, and I wouldn't have given it to them. That is nuts! I hear you on the car and out of town appointments though - big time. HOpe the appointment goes well, and same for next week. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Have you checked out if there are any car share schemes in your area? They are usually really easy to join and pretty cheap. Zip car is one international company that does it but there are lots now. You just have to find if there are any cars based in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 there is the difference between renting a car with a credit card vs a debit card. debit cards leave them with little recourse with an unscrupulous renter should things go bad. they are asking for a heck of a lot of info, and I'd try another rental agency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4kidlets4me Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I've never heard of such a thing! I've rented with a debit card before and never had any problems. Did their corporate office say this was standard procedure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 we have used Enterprise with a debit card before. I do know that if you live within the same state as the rental or if your driver's license was from the same state as the rental; you had to provide proof of travel plans (such as printed flight confirmations, etc.) We were a military family flying back to visit home with that state's address on our license. When I asked about this policy they stated that it prevents local people from using their rentals to commit crimes. I suppose it makes sense?! For the record, we use a debit card each time we get a rental. We just used Hertz this past week in Puerto Rico and they held a 200 dollar deposit for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I have never had anyone ask anything of us at all. They just want to see the DL (and Enterprise wants to see your spouses one too which was a hassle) and your credit card. You can change and pay with a debit card when you bring the car back. We have done that. We always put on credit card initially = one that covers the deductible if you use the credit card. Not that we have ever had an accident in a rental but just in case. We use Enterprise when we have car repairs. Otherwise at airports, we use one of the major car rental agencies. I haven't had any issues with Enterprise. No one has ever asked me for anything like what you are talking about but I have seen local people who don't have cars or maybe don't have reliable cars going through a lot bigger procedure. The people like me, car in the shop, normally have no issues. On another note, I guess the Fed reserve did change the deal about spouses who don't work can now get credit cards. I have gotten two store credit cards since the New Year,just like I used to get before the dumb rule change. I guess the stores and other credit agencies probably really complained that they were losing customers. I like having store credit cards so I get special sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 My car made it today with no actual problems! The driving was about 5 hours. It ran really rough, but we made it. I will be renting for the 18th because it's a longer drive. Corporate said that while it isn't standard, it also isn't completely out there. My biggest problem is that i was willing to show them bank statements providing proof of income. I am just not willing to hand over ds's disability and child support paperwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Go with the credit card next time, and you'll have none of these issues (the extra documentation is only required when you use a debit card). Sorry you ran into problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpyTheFrog Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 We've rented from Hertz three times in the last two years while our car was getting repaired. They take debit cards, as long as you pass a credit check. So each time, I have to unfreeze my credit for them to run the check. Plus they place a $200 hold until the car has been returned. Enterprise's website says they don't take debit cards. These are the kind of hassles that make me think getting a credit card is a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Yes. Enterprise. I called the main customer service number who said that they couldn't do anything. Wow. I rented for a day from Enterprise last week. Well, the dealer sent over a nice 2013 Van when mine was going to be in the shop overnight. The guy took me back to Enterprise and made me sign a document stating that I understood that I was responsible for damage, and to fill the gas up to where it was. He did make a copy of my license, which I didn't really appreciate. But that was it. No questions about my job or did I have money or insurance or anything. I really don't understand why you went through that. I have an acquaintance that has rented a lot of times, who does not work either. She's never had a problem renting with her debit card from Enterprise. Are you under 25? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandamom Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 I rent from Enterprise with a Visa debit. I have to show proof of income and a utility statement in my name -- which I don't have -- but so far they have let me have the car :). In addition to their cheap rate they also take a $400 hold on the bank account which I get back when the car is returned. So, the Enterprise that I use has the same requirements. I like their prices and service otherwise so I deal with the hassle. I do understand your concern though. I'm glad you figured out an alternative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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