Venice Car Hire

Pros: The car was OK

Cons: The car we reserved was not available. They made us pay for much more expensive car. They gave the manual in the language we could not read. They gave no instructions.

Look closely before departing

Pros: AFter the long, long walk to the rental counter, it was refreshing to find out the vehicles themselves were in the same location -- just a few steps away.

Cons: The first car we were offered was missing its rear wiper. (Not just the rubber blade, but the whole thing -- arm and all.) They switched us to a different vehicle, and it was great -- but the first vehicle should have been taken out-of-service, repaired, and then returned to the fleet.

Pros: Free built in GPS provided.

Cons: Overcharged me on the final bill by almost $100. Desk agent said the "Optional Fuel Purchase" was mandatory but the charge would be removed if I brought the vehicle back with a full tank. Of course the final bill included the "optional fuel purchase" even though I returned the car with a full tank. Also the diesel car required several fillings of the additive "AD BLUE" or it would not start. Total out-of-pocket extra of more than 20 Euros. Reflection of poor vehicle maintenance/servicing on the part of Dollar/Hertz.

Pros: Nothing

Cons: We were 30 minutes late to pick up our car so we arrived during the two hour lunch break when they were closed. We tried to call multiple times in the morning to let them know we would be a little late but could never get through to anyone. We waited until they reopened and then were told that they were out of cars and our four day reservation was cancelled. We said we had tried to contact them but they said we didn't call the correct number (a number that was not in any of our information) We were repeatedly told that since the reservation was through kayak that their customer service couldn't help us. They didn't even try to help us find another car, their company actually had a few cars at the airport but we had to find the information and call on our own and of course were quoted a much higher price. We ended up having to bus to the airport and went with another company. I would be extremely wary of using Dolllar/Hertz in the future especially if booking through a third party.

Pros: Good service

Cons: We had 2 cars. One had a problem with the parking brake and other with the coolant. Obviously not properly checked before being made available to customers.

Horrible experience

Pros: No complaints about the car itself

Cons: Even though I had a reservation that stated the pick up and drop off location, they did not honor that. They said I had to pay an additional 49 euros in order to return the car to the SAME location!! They said or I can drop it off at the airport and pay only 20 euros extra!!! WTH! It makes no sense, why would I pay anything extra if I have a reservation stating drop off and pickup locations. They were idiots and I had to fight with them for half an hour and demanded to talk to their manager before they finally let it go probably because I made a scene.. I will never make a reservation with these people again. I am not looking for a fight on my vacation, I made a reservation before hand so I can relax when I pick up the car. Also beware you can't return the car after hours for free. Same thing, they will charge an extra 50 euros to park the car in THEIR lot. I had to park in a separate lot and return the car to them during business hours tonavoid them from ripping me off! The car itself was as expected, no problems. Just horrible unreasonable customer service, more like theives trying to rip tourists off..