WARNING - F&C CAR HIRE EXTREMELY POOR SERVICE / RIP OFF

All,

Thought I'd warn you of the terrible service I've received from this company. We booked a car from them in January for next week. They have since apparently changed their fleet models. We received an e-mail from them yesterday saying we could have a much smaller car instead of the one we'd booked or cancel the booking ! The small car is no use to us so it looks like we're going to have to find alternatives. It is outrageous that you can book something six months in advance and a company let you down less than a week before you arrive.

I would advise everyone to steer well clear as it is not that easy to make alternative arrangements at such a late stage and it will no doubt cost us much more. Companies like this deserve to go out of business.

I think the alarm bells would have been ringing for me as soon as I saw the name of the company.  :)

I wasnt too impressed either.  I had to chase confirmation by phone and e-mail for days to check that the car hire was still ok as we booked it so far in advance/  We had not heard anything from them and no deposit was taken so I was a bit concerned. We at least got a car, but one which was bashed to bits and had no radio!! Not a major problem I know but never the less meant I had to sing!!

They also charged us more than they quoted!! 

I wasnt too impressed either.  I had to chase confirmation by phone and e-mail for days to check that the car hire was still ok as we booked it so far in advance/  We had not heard anything from them and no deposit was taken so I was a bit concerned. We at least got a car, but one which was bashed to bits and had no radio!! Not a major problem I know but never the less meant I had to sing!!

They also charged us more than they quoted!! 

Don't wish to be differant, but we have used F+C about 10 times now. The cars aren't the newest, can be tatty in places, and the pick up locations are unusual, but are still on airport

However, they have never let us down, the prices are very competative, and the one time the car had poor air conditioning, it was changed next day. Having an office at Camposol also is a benefit. Also having used several other companies and paid more for the same cars, I would still recomend them.

I think maybe you have been unlucky with them. Sometimes factors change beyond a companies control, and there will be people who lose out in isolated incidents.

Car hire is a major part of our holidays at Condado and we've tried a few companies. We were going to try F&C next time mainly because of the low price but after reading these posts and with 2 young kids in tow, we need to be dealing with a company we can trust. Think for now we'll pay a little more and stick with Solmar who have always given us a decent car for a reasonable price.

Cheers for the heads up Kev

Hi All,

Used Auriga Crown for a while now and always had good service and cars. Can be a little pricey sometimes so earlier this year went to the office of F&C on Camposol, as heard they were cheaper. Upon my arrival the two women in there were talking to another person. Upon seeing me asked if I would like to wait in a rather dis-courteous and dismissive tone. Gave the impression the conversation was private, as they quickly turned from me and back to conversation. I went to the bar next door, sat outside and slowly drank my beer. Just as I finished the other person came out of the office, where one of the two women waved him off.  Looked in my direction then walked back in.  I'm not a puppy about to follow its master.  I spend a lot of money per annum on car hire. They obviously dont need my business and therefore wont get it.

As I said always been happy with Auriga crown.  You just have to book very very early for decent prices.  Though as a frequent customer have managed to get some good late deals since my encounter with F&C, so happy bunny now.

I'm sure people on here have had good service from F&C, and some had poor service from Auriga. Guess you just have to go with whats best for you.

Just thought I would relay my experiences to you.

Frank

We have now used them several times with no problem. We knew when we booked they do basic smaller vehicles that generally are not at the new end of the spectrum. They meet you on the upper floor of the car park at Alicante- no office, which immediately told us they would be budget. But, thats what we were looking for and the collection was speedy and the price was as expected.

On our last visit the car wouldnt start the day we were leaving and an agent came straight away (in fact so quick we had to  bike it  to the gatehouse so they could get onto the resort) then came back with a replacement vehicle.

So, up to this point we have no complaints but if we were to have Kev1's experience we would be looking elsewhere in the future.

Hi All

Just to give balance to the issue.

I have used F&C Rent a Car a number of times and to date have had no problem with them. They provide straightforward low cost car hire. The staffs are very polite and quick in my experience. The cars are basic but you get what you pay for.

I have used most of the care hire company in the area during the time I have been coming to Condado and I could find problems with them all in one way or another. I use the company that is providing the best option for us at time of booking and if this changes as the booking date approaches I change the booking.

Unfortunately in Spain good customer service isn’t at the top of some companies agenda, but as I said at the start, I personally haven’t had any problem with F&C.

Phil
 

We have just got back from CDA and used F & C car hire and have used them for the last approx 5 times - the cars can be a bit basic but the price reflects this and the service we have found to be good.  There is no waiting at the airport they are always there  waiting for us we can be out of the terminal within 10 minutes.  I will continue to use them.

Hi we used them last year and there was a problem with the bearings on the car, good enough they swopped it for us as soon as they had another vehicle which was about a day later and the replacement car was fine.  The cars are not usually new and are a little tatty but fine for what we needed.  I'm coming over for 4 weeks in August and have booked with them this time which is all confirmed and they have been helpful in advising on car size and number of people, luggage etc.

I usually go with doyouspain and they then book with different companies. I find they are cheaper than going direct to the car company.

They have booked our cars with Auriga Crown

Sorry...what was the point of that last comment. 

Merely to bring this old thread back to the top of the pile??

Not quite sure what the comment says

Used Solmar when I went over for last 5 days!!

It cost me a total of £79.00 which included the tank of fuel for a VW Polo equating to £15.80 per day!!