The saga ends (for now)

[eirias]

Thank you all for your suggestions and moral support :). This must be the best thing about having a blog of sorts...

Anyway, Advantage sent someone out, they couldn't diagnose the problem precisely, and they offered us a new car. But after some discussion and a couple calls, we decided that we don't trust this company enough to put ourselves at risk by driving a car of theirs down to the remote south of the state in ~100 degree weather, especially when it's entirely possible it's a system-level problem and not actually a problem with the car. So we dropped off the old car, got a quote from Hertz, and picked up a new car from them, making sure to feed the Hertz agents a "By the way, here's some fun dirt about your competitors" story while there, at which they were gratifyingly appalled ;). We plan to fight for a full refund from Advantage, and are definitely keeping your tactical suggestions in mind.

We lost half a day and will have to reshape our plans; it may mean we don't get to Arches, which is disappointing as it was at the top of my list. But we'll talk to Chris' parents and see what they suggest. I'll definitely post again when I'm in internet's reach. ;)

Comments

[rms10.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear you're not taking an Advantage car to the desert.

Enjoy your trip!

[sam16.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you deserve a full refund and then some. I'd say you should also have them cover the cost of the Hertz rental too for all the crap they put you through. I've put in a complaint through the BBB before - it was relatively painless and they resolved the matter to my satisfaction - so consider that option if Advantage isn't willing to work with you.

[marphod.livejournal.com]

Assuming you used a Real credit card and not a debit card, this is exactly the sort of thing that refusing charges is for.

I've done it several times, and it works fine. You fill out a form, and the CC company runs with it.

[eirias.livejournal.com]

We did, and Graham's filed a dispute with his card company. We should know more about the outcome later this week, perhaps. It's a pity we couldn't use mine, as USAA is all military and stuff and I'm pretty sure they'd have our backs; hopefully his will do the same. The guy he talked to sounded optimistic.

[cos]

Having been to most of the parks in southern Utah and the Grand Canyon (in Arizona), I think Arches is that last one I'd miss. I'd drop any of the others in favor of Arches, I think. the hike to Delicate Arch at sunset is one of my favorite memories (though I hear there are a lot more people these days so maybe it's different).

[eirias.livejournal.com]

You know what? We did wind up going to Arches, and that is the very thing we did with our brief time there :). It is indeed a sweet memory for us, too! (There were a surprising number of people given how dark it was getting, but it wasn't too bad.)

We didn't get to see much else in the park, but enough to know that we want to go back for sure.

[cos]

Cool! Coincidence, or did my comment have anything to do with it?

[eirias.livejournal.com]

Complete coincidence. :)

[corydoras.livejournal.com]

wow, that car situation is totally INSANE. i've never heard of that happening before! glad to have the warning...