This past weekend I went to San Diego and Los Angeles on vacation and rented an Audi A6. Everything at the check-in was fine except they now have to do a credit check if you are using a credit card linked to a bank account. Regardless, I signed my rental agreement for 4 days of the A6 for a total of $304.09.
The next day, I was in Hollywood and noticed my bank account was short $300. I figured I got charged for the car upfront and that was that, although I did go to my brother "I hope they don't charge me twice." I was sorely mistaken.
I dropped the car off a little earlier than expected and took my flights home.
I didnt think anything was wrong until last night when I went to the ATM at Ram. I was going to get money to pay for the meal of some clients who were in town. My bank statement Friday had my account balance in the $2,300 range. The hotel was already paid for, I spent $100 on gas, $150 at the ATM and the rental car so I was figuring I would have atleast $1900 in the account, again dead wrong. I tried taking out $100, no dice, says insufficient funds. I tried $40, same thing. Im like, what the hell is going on here!!! I check the account balance...says I have $39.59 in the account!!!
I called the bank this morning to find out what the hell was going on. I asked what the transactions were for the last week. Said there was a $423.75 hold this morning, $423.00 yesterday, $423.75, $234 on the CC, $118 on the account, $112 Monday, $118 and $354 Friday. I had no CLUE where any of these holds came from. I knew I didnt use the card and it was in my possession the entire time, I was thinking identity fraud. The manager asked if I used it for any large purchases and the only thing that came to mind was Hertz. She suggested it may be them that is currently holding the $2,206.50 missing from my account. Bingo.
I called the location I rented the car from and told them the situation. He suggested I look up my bill online as it should have been posted this morning. Sure enough, the bill was for $423.75 (I got charged $111.50 for gas which I shouldn't have) along with 2 other "Misc Charges" of $354 and $234.
I called Hertz billing and explained the situation she said they would have to remove the holds on the account. I obviously asked why they needed to hold $2200 for a rental? No response. I told them their policy is there must be $200 over what the rental is for to cover losses, why another $1700? No response. She said she would remove the holds on the account immediately, this was at 2:30PM
I called the customer service line at 4PM when I got out of work early to go to the bank and contest all this. Told them the situation again, and the young woman I spoke to said the holds would be removed right now. I asked wasn't that supposed to be done almost 2 hours ago? No response. I proceed to file a very large complaint. I told them I could understand getting double billed or slightly over billed, but I cannot understand how 8 separate mistakes were made. She informed me that I would receive a response in 5-7 days. I told her I would call back in 5 regardless.
I get to my bank to see all the transactions and she informs me that all the transactions still have holds on them as of 5PM today. ( I would call back at 6PM, still holds) I got a copy of my all transactions for the last week and there are 5 other charges from when I was on vacation that I KNOW I didn't do which I have to find out where they are from tomorrow morning.
In addition, my credit card bill is due this coming Tuesday. How am I supposed to pay a credit card bill when all my funds are being held? I get to call my credit card company in the morning.
The current line:
1 Rental Agreement for $304.09
8 Holds on bank account for $2206.50
Current available bank account balance $29.41
Pissed off individuals: ONE
Please post/link this story to other forums so people know what Hertz is really like.
