Complaint Review: Saban's Rent A Car - Phoenix Arizona

I am a 51 year old lady and haven't ever run into a situation such as this. I had a terrible experience and lost a great deal of money on Sunday, July 12, dealing with Sabans. (Dennis N Saban, President of Company) We went in to rent a vehicle as one of our vehicles is in the shop for repair. They quoted a cost of $99 per week over the phone. When we got there they said they had a small Chevrolet for the $99 per week charge and a $300 deposit. Unfortunately I signed the contract before seeing the vehicle as one has a reasonable expectation that vehicles are clean, safe, and well maintained. Wrong. When we got inside the vehicle there was a very strong odor of urine and vomit and it was unbearable. The heat from the vehicle sitting out in their parking lot didn't help the smell either. It was gross. We went back in the office and told them the situation. They acknowledged the problem and said that for $129 per week the vehicle could be upgraded to another vehicle (still a small vehicle with balding tires but it didn't smell so bad). This is their bait and switch tactic. As this other car was being driven to the gate the "brake system" light came on and it didn't run right. Owner's manuals indicate to pull over and not drive the car in this condition. This car was obviously unsafe. We returned to the office and told them about the "brake light" and the way it ran but they said to take the vehicle anyway. They knowingly said to take the unsafe car out on to the street - this is outrageous! (They unhook the battery cable to reset the light but it comes back on). I told them that I didn't want an unsafe car and have a reasonable expectation that the car we rent would have brakes that work and would be safe. The guy in the office behind the desk said he had another vehicle but it has a weekly cost of $300 and a $750 deposit. I told him I couldn't afford that. I asked to get out of the contract since they couldn't produce a safe car. The desk guy said I would have to speak with "Al" his boss. I asked him if he could get him on the phone for me and he said that I couldn't use any of their phones that I would have to figure it out for myself. I borrowed a cell phone and made a call to Al. He made me go outside to make the phone call and it was 114 degree outside that day. This tells one a lot of what this company is made of. I explained to "Al" what was going on and he was very rude and nasty with a very bad attitude screaming into the phone. Al said that they had some other cars at his office but I would have to figure out how to get there. Al couldn't guarantee any of his cars would be safe or clean and I didn't have a way to get there. He called me a "f**** bit**" and said someone needed to kick my a*s and then hung up on me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! This obviously was the last straw. No one wants to be treated this way and risk their life, and the lives of others on the roadway as well, in an unsafe car! I did not take the unsafe vehicle and gave them the key back immediately. We were there about one hour total and Saban's said that because I signed a contact I would have to pay the full weekly cost even though I refused to take the unsafe car. I have no rental car, they have my money for services that were not provided and they charge the full weekly price. They said I will have to pay a service and cleaning fee of $11.99, S/C charge of $2.50 (don't know what this is for), PKG $3.00 and an additional driver fee and car insurance even though I have my own insurance coverage. $200 down the drain to this fraud of a company and getting insulted all the while. And by the way, they don't tell you about the extra unknown fees upfront. Never use Saban's, they are very bad business. I should have researched them online first, but unfortunately I didn't. In a Google search, I learned this type of behavior is typical for Saban's. They are crooks in my opinion as they ripped me off. They treat customers horrendously. This company is worse than bad business. I am more than willing to participate in any lawsuits and will file a complaint with the BBB and Attorney General's Office, as well as my own case to recover the fees they stole from me.

Little Lady

Phoenix, Arizona

U.S.A.