Drive Rent a Car

Drive Rent a Car - Rhodes Island, Greece Review 🚗

Drive Rent a Car, located at 1st Km Tsairi-Airport, Rhodes 851 00, Greece, operates as a car rental establishment serving visitors to Rhodes Island. Reviews for this company present a mixed bag of experiences, highlighting both commendable service aspects and significant areas of concern, particularly regarding pricing transparency and deposit returns.

Positive Aspects & Praiseworthy Service ✨

While some customers faced challenges, there are notable instances of positive interactions and exceptional service:

1. Competent Staff: One recurring positive theme, specifically mentioned by a returning customer, is the competence and helpfulness of staff. A representative named "Eva" was highlighted for making the rental process "super easy." This suggests that when processes run smoothly, the on-site team can be very effective and customer-friendly.
2. Integrity & Initiative: In a truly remarkable incident, the team at Drive Rent a Car demonstrated outstanding integrity and proactivity. A traveler who did not even rent from them accidentally left a backpack containing all valuables and passports near their office. The staff found the bag, used paperwork inside to contact the original car rental company, and messaged the owners via social media, ensuring the safe return of all items. This act of kindness and dedication prevented significant distress and potential travel complications for the individuals involved, earning high praise for their "awesome human" behavior.
3. Car Selection: One positive review also noted an "excellent selection of cars, catering to every need," indicating a potentially broad fleet for various traveler requirements.

Areas of Concern & Negative Experiences ⚠️

However, several reviews point to significant issues that potential renters should be aware of:

1. Discrepancy in Car Models & Condition:
   • One customer reported ordering a specific car model (Peugeot 208) but receiving a different one (Renault), indicating that advertised cars may not always be available or guaranteed.
   • The same review mentioned that the received car was not clean and already had visible damage, raising concerns about fleet maintenance and thorough pre-rental inspections.
2. Security Deposits & Hidden Charges: This appears to be the most critical area of concern, with multiple customers reporting issues related to financial transparency.
   • Customers reported being charged extremely high security deposits (e.g., "2 x 750 pounds").
   • Others encountered unexpected additional charges upon pickup, even after purchasing extra insurance online (e.g., being asked to pay an "additional 100€ of caution and 100€ for extra insurance"). This suggests a lack of clear communication regarding all costs upfront.
3. Deposit Refund Issues: Multiple negative reviews highlight severe problems with the return of security deposits.
   • One customer explicitly stated that a "caution" deposit that "should be returned... never happened."
   • Another was "still waiting 3 months later" for their deposit, with "no reply from ANY email requests," describing the refund process as "horrendous." This indicates poor post-rental communication and potentially significant delays or outright failures in refunding funds.
4. Customer Service Post-Rental: The reported lack of response to email requests regarding deposit refunds is a serious red flag, suggesting a breakdown in customer support once the car has been returned and financial matters need resolving.

Overall Impression 🤔

Drive Rent a Car in Rhodes Island presents a contrasting picture of service. While there are clear instances of highly positive customer interactions, particularly concerning the helpfulness of specific staff members and remarkable acts of integrity, these are significantly overshadowed by recurring and serious complaints regarding financial transparency and the refund of security deposits.

Key Takeaways:

1. Pros:
   • Helpful and competent staff (in some reported instances).
   • Demonstrated integrity and initiative in non-rental situations (e.g., finding lost items).
   • Potentially good car selection.
2. Cons:
   • Inconsistent car model delivery and vehicle condition.
   • Issues with high, multiple, or unexpected security deposits and additional charges.
   • Significant problems with deposit refunds, including long delays and lack of communication post-rental.

Given the conflicting feedback, especially the critical and recurring issues with deposits, potential customers should exercise extreme caution. It is highly advisable to thoroughly clarify all charges, insurance details, and deposit refund policies in writing before committing to a rental with Drive Rent a Car to mitigate potential frustrations.

Ordered a peogeot 208, received a Renault, they don't have the cars they advertise, we were charged 2 x 750 pounds on security deposit, the car wasn't clean, already had damage on the car see photos, if I was you would not use this company we certainly will not be.

We have now rented a car from Drive Rent a Car at the Amada Colossos Resort Hotel for the third time, and we couldn't be happier with the service. Eva, in particular, is incredibly competent and makes the whole process super easy. The selection of cars is excellent, catering to every need. We highly recommend this rental service!

I do not recommend this car rental. They do everything to scam you. We bought extra insurance but when we came to get the car they said that we have to pay additional 100€ of caution and 100€ for extra insurance. The caution should be returned but it never happend.

We didn’t rent a car from here, but wanted to leave a review about the amazing integrity and initiative of the team that work here.My husband managed to leave our backpack with all our valuables, passports etc on the roof of our car on our way to the airport to head home, d’oh. The bag fell off right by their office, and the team were amazing! They managed to call our car rental company based on the paperwork in the bag, and messaged both myself and husband on Facebook to let us know they’d found our bag.The whole thing was really stressful but we are so grateful that the bag was found by these guys, and that they did everything they could to get the bag back to us. Thanks to them all our valuables were still there, and we managed to make our flight home.Thanks so much for being awesome humans!!!

Car was fine, staff at the office helpful but trying to get the deposit back was horrendous. Still waiting 3 months later. No reply from ANY email requests. Would not recommend on these grounds.