DriveRentACar

This summary compiles feedback from various customers regarding their experiences with DriveRentACar (also reportedly operating as IFS online) located on Rhodes Island, Greece, at 7th km Tsairi - Airport ave, Rodos 851 06. The overwhelming sentiment from these reviews is negative, with recurrent themes of unexpected charges, poor customer service, and contentious damage claims.

💸 Hidden Charges & Deposit Issues

A significant number of complaints revolve around various forms of unexpected charges and issues with deposits:

1. Unreturned Deposits: One customer reported a 200 Euro deposit that was never returned, despite having full insurance.
2. False Damage Claims: A particularly alarming incident details a charge of 630 euros for two 1 square millimeter "signs" on the windscreen, which the customer vehemently denies causing. This charge was levied under pressure and later revealed not to be covered by their insurance, highlighting a potential tactic to extract money for negligible or pre-existing damage.
3. Cleaning Fees: Another review mentions a 40 Euro charge for cleaning a "dirty car" upon return, even though the car's interior was reportedly damaged from the start.
4. Forced Insurance: Several users highlight being forced to purchase additional, expensive insurance (ranging from 13 to 20 euros per day) if they did not possess a credit card for the deposit. This contradicts the common practice where debit cards are often accepted for caution deposits by other rental companies. One review explicitly describes a 20€/day forced insurance fee and a 100€ fuel caution where only 98€ was returned.

👎 Customer Service & Operational Issues

Service quality and operational procedures also draw strong criticism:

1. Unfriendly & Slow Staff: Customers describe staff as "very non serious" and "unfriendly," with one instance of a 30-minute delay just to fill out documents.
2. Shuttle Delays: Waiting for over 20 minutes for an airport shuttle has been reported.
3. Questionable Car Inspections: Car inspections at pickup are described as being done "after sunset in a dark corner of the parking," making it extremely difficult to spot pre-existing damage. Staff allegedly downplayed the seriousness of minor defects at pickup, only for minuscule "signs" to become major charges upon return.
4. Pressure Tactics: One customer felt pressured to pay a large damage claim immediately due to fear of missing their flight, suggesting a deliberate tactic to rush payments.

🚗 Vehicle Condition

While one reviewer noted cars were "quite new" with some scratches, another described "very low" car quality with "damaged interior from the start," suggesting inconsistency or a lack of thorough pre-rental checks on the company's part.

⚠️ Company Identity

It's important for potential customers to be aware that this company reportedly also operates under the name IFS online, as mentioned by a frustrated customer.

👍 A Mixed Experience

One reviewer, while confirming the requirement for a credit card deposit and the forced additional insurance if absent, described their overall experience as "good." They noted the cars delivered corresponded to those booked and were relatively new, though with some scratches.

Final Recommendation

Based on the majority of customer experiences, potential renters are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when considering DriveRentACar (or IFS online). It is recommended to:

1. Document everything: Take extensive photos and videos of the car's condition (interior and exterior) in good lighting at pickup and drop-off, making sure to capture any pre-existing damage.
2. Clarify all charges: Thoroughly understand all terms, including insurance coverage details (especially for glass and tires), deposit policies, and potential hidden fees, before signing any agreement.
3. Be prepared for alternative payment: Be aware that a credit card may be mandatory for the deposit, and a debit card might lead to being forced into purchasing extra, daily insurance.

These proactive steps may help mitigate some of the reported issues and protect against unexpected costs.

I rented a car for a week in June 2018. Its a very non serious company with unfriendly staff, who may take 30 mins just to pick up a paper. Their primary goal seems to rob their customers with false damage claims. I had waisted my time and energy with this company. And I had to pay 630 euros for a damage that I didn't do.Bad service started on the airport as I waited for more than 20 minutes for their shuttle. The lady in their office took 30 minutes to fill in the documents. The car inspection was done after the sunset in a dark corner of the parking. The lady meant to take it easy as only the bigger defects are to be taken serious.I drove 133 km in one week. No accident or damage of any sort. When I gave the car back, another lady came to inspect the car. She found two small signs of about 1 square millimeter on the wind screen. She asked if I had an insurance, which I affirmed. And then she took about one hour to make some documents and charged me 630 euros. She made me wait so long that I was afraid of missing our flight. So under time pressure, I had to pay immidiately. This was later revealed that the wind screen (glass) was not covered under insurance. So I had to pay the amount from my own pocket for a sign that nobody would find on their own - only if they already knew where it was.The company operates with the name IFS online. Beware, I have seen some other unhappy people there too.

Avoid this company at any cost!!! They charged us 200Euro deposit and never gave it back!!! And we had full insurance:(

They include hidden costs and charged us whopping 40 euro for cleaning a "dirty car" after return. Cars quality is very low and ours had damaged interior from the start.

I had a reservation with rentalcars. The day we took the car, they said that I'm forced to take a full insurance 20€ per day because I do not have a credit card. I was surprised because when I rent a car I always had my debit card and even if it was written "you need a credit card", everyone took my debit card for the caution. So I paid...After, they said they need 100€ of caution for the fuel. I was surprised : they took 100€ from my bank account and they gave me back only 98€...The woman told me in french "on fait ces prix uniquement pour attirer les gens, on ne se fait pas beaucoup d'argent sur la location".

Rented two cars through rental cars. The cars delivered corresponded to those booked and were quite new but with some scratches. A credit card is required for the deposit when picking up the car. If you don't have it, you are forced to have additional insurance which costs 13/20 euros per day. Overall I had a good experience with this car rental agency.