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What Happens When the Hire Car You Ordered isn't Available!
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Scotty



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 883

PostPosted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:06 pm    Post subject: What Happens When the Hire Car You Ordered isn't Available! Reply with quote

After careful surfing I managed to get a great deal in our car hire - I reckon £396 all in (insurances & unlimited mileage) for three weeks for either a Lincoln or Cadillac is a good price.

I dutifully download all the documentation required, check with the hire company that they have my booking just prior to our leaving, all I have to do is turn up and drive out. I wonder how many of us have thought that!

So after a fairly long day travelling we end up at the car rental company, voucher clutched in hand, UK driving licence carefully unfolded (I've still got the giant sheet of pink paper) and hand them over to the customer service receptionist.

"I'm sorry sir, we don't have a Lincoln or Cadillac available." Sad
"But we ordered it and I checked before we left that you knew we were coming." Confused
"I'm really sorry sir, all I can offer you of a similar type is a Mercury Grand Marquis." Embarassed
"Please forgive me, but a MGM isn't a Luxury car, its a Premium, so that's going down a class - I don't mean to be difficult but the car is part of our vacation, we drive a lot and a good car is an essential part of our whole vacation." Crying or Very sad
"Leave it with me sir for a few minutes, I'll go and speak with the manager." Wink

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"I've spoken with the manager - would this be a suitable alternative at no extra cost ........
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Would you knock back a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette with 436hp on tap for three weeks!Very Happy
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47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hope you kicked up a fuss before accepting Very Happy
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Job-Rated



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1010
Location: Sugarbeet County

PostPosted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Definitely.

I would've asked for one in black... Laughing
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22780
Location: UK

PostPosted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RESULT Smile

(so what was it like?)

RJ
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JR FLYWHEEL



Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 77
Location: Hornchurch Essex

PostPosted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:06 pm    Post subject: as posted Reply with quote

Nah.....I'd have just stuck with a 10 Hp ford pop...

Very Happy Jrf
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jammy devil! Laughing

Amazing deal you got there! Very Happy

Is she quick?? Laughing
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old gto



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 172
Location: Orlando, Florida

PostPosted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Is she quick"..............
The ride he took me for was a "quick" one alright, LOL! A "white Knuckle" ride that only lasted a moment, but was a thrill beyond compare!

Gents, ye have not lived till you`ve ridden in a viciously powerful sports car with a mad Scotsman at the wheel!
Laughing
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Scotty



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 883

PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

buzzy bee wrote:

Is she quick?? Laughing


Buzzy - can you hear the Churchill advert bulldog's voice in your mind - OH YES! Cool

Rick - The Corvette was so much better than I anticipated. I've been brought up with American sports cars are "all show, no go" views, but believe me this is one very well sorted car. Acceleration is I reckon in the super car bracket, I switched off all the traction control once and it was like hell had opened its gates and I was being sucked under - smoke and snot everywhere! I managed to find a quiet (private) country road and bottled out at 130 with the engine still pulling strong, top end I believe is 150+.

With the traction control aids on its a remarkably refined car with long distance touring car comfort, it was a pleasure to drive the 300+ miles down to and up from West Palm Beach in one day. In fact I was looking for excuses to take it for long drives it was that comfortable. It was a 6-speed auto, or with the flick of a switch a "flappy-paddle" 6-speed manual - I didn't use that option as it was very sensitive to changes and managed once to inadvertantly drop 2 gears, with spectacular results.

The down-side - remarkably for such an expensive car there was no audio controls on the steering wheel, no rain sensing wipers, and absolutely no spare wheel or pump in the car, get a flat and you're reliant on the "On Star" satellite communication system built into the rear view mirror to call for help.

All in all one of the defining moments in my 37 years of driving cars, the only other cars I've driven that stand out like this was the then brand new Audi 5-cylinder Coupe and an "M Power" BMW 6 Series back in the 1980's.

Scotty. Very Happy
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wrinx



Joined: 22 Jun 2008
Posts: 142
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Scotty wrote:
- smoke and snot everywhere!


Laughing Laughing Laughing

(still chuckling!)

wrinx
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62rebel



Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 343
Location: Charleston, South Carolina

PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

good show; but i wonder if i could interest you in a ride in a PROPER Ford saloon with a 390ci v8 and 4v carb, dual exhaust, and ABSOLUTELY NO electronics of ANY kind to distract from the experience... also with no power assisted brakes or steering? it does have radial tyres and seatbelts for those who need them....
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Greeney in France



Joined: 06 Mar 2008
Posts: 1173
Location: Limousin area of France

PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
no audio controls on the steering wheel, no rain sensing wipers, and absolutely no spare wheel or pump in the car,


AHH my heart bleeds Embarassed Rolling Eyes Laughing
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Scotty



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 883

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Greeney in France wrote:

AHH my heart bleeds Embarassed Rolling Eyes Laughing


Your right Greeney - I shouldn't look a gift-Corvette in the mouth! Laughing

Scotty.
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old gto



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 172
Location: Orlando, Florida

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I`d say you looked right comfortable in it!
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Scotty



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 883

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Like a glove Jim, like a glove. Cool
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