I booked a car at the Buffalo HLE on Pearl Street this past weekend for a 2 day weekend rental.

As I entered the facility, I could see the lone Gold Club envelope--my rental waiting. That was a welcoming sign. According to the friendly staff person, as a Gold member I was given a 1 hour extension free of charge (he said that was Gold policy); my rental time out was shown as 1 hour later than the time I booked. I didn't know this was policy. So far, so good. ^

As a non smoker, I was given a car with a non smoking sticker and an ashtray still with ashes inside. The car smelled of smoke. Normally, I can air it out while driving with windows open at 55+ MPH, and that helps. But with BUF winter weather and snow, that was not comfortable nor desirable.

I asked about changing cars, but was told that I had the only clean car on the lot, so no changes possible. I asked about spraying some air freshener and was told that was ineffective. Thus, I had to breathe a smoky car for the duration of the rental.

After leaving the lot, I noticed the fuel gauge was closer to 3/4 full than 4/4 full, but the contract indicated the car had a full tank. Of course the actual fluid in the tank was likely less than 3/4 given that many fuel gauges are not accurate with needles going past "F." So back to the HLE to take care of this matter. I wanted a full tank as I was driving into Canada and wanted to stock up on cheaper gas. I was given credit for 7/8 of a tank.

As the weather from BUF to Toronto was at times snowing, with plenty of road spray hitting the windshield, I noticed that the windshield fluid quickly ran out. So I refilled the reservoir after purchasing more fluid from a Canadian Tire store.

That's when I noticed that there was some type of blockage that prevented filling of the windshield fluid reservoir. Thus, I could only fill about a cup full of fluid at a time, and had to stop numerous times to refill the reservoir throughout the weekend.

This is always fun to do in cold, snowy weather.

I returned this car at BUF, and was astonished to see "return" staff given that they had fired the return staff. It turns out that they were hostlers/shifters who move the cars about and when available, they help note fuel/mileage levels. You still have to go inside to get a receipt.

The friendly counter staff at BUF did reimburse me for the windshield fluid and gave me a $25 certificate (I didn't know that they could do that!).

He also mentioned that the HLEs do not often refuel or service the cars as he said they lack those facilities.

What is preventing me from a future BUF HLE rental is the choice of one and only one car when things go wrong, as well as the lack of quality control.

 

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. That blockage you experienced with the windshield fluid reservoir is a common problem with just about all rental agency operating in cold climate. Some renters won't go through the trouble or cost of buying proper windshield fluid when they run out so they fill it up with plain water or in somecases..clear softdrink. As far as smoke odor and ashes are concerned, I've seen cars with spit tobacco on carpets, ashes in the middle compartment bin, cigarette butts stashed in the vents...

 

Shouldn't hertz keep it full to prevent running out scenario?

 

All cars are topped off with windshield fluid before they go out on rent. Some drivers are more liberal with the fluid when they know they don't have to pay for it. Some rental locations will top up your reservoir if they are able to.

 

Good to know, thanks.

 

I've found a half eaten, moldy, sandwich in the center console of a Caddilac DTS from EWR. That was the worst I've ever experienced.

I can't believe someone would put clear soda into the windshield washer.

 

I guess they put in what they have handy at the time.

The worst thing I found was a loaded diaper in the middle of summer. I've also found condoms, needles. A colleague found a gun...we had to call the cops for that. We also had cars with large amount of blood...called the cops for that too. I've also found loose change clients leave behind as tips. This time of the year, you'll often find dirty tissues and boxes of kleenex. This is one reason why you'll see us often wearing blue latex gloves. The number one item left behind by renters are drink cups and fast food trash. It's amazing the stench a Subway sandwich can leave behind.

 

I wish Hertz and other agencies would use the "excessive" clause more often and really charge customers for smoking in the vehicles as they are allowed to under the contract.

 

I was about to wonder why in heaven's name you were still renting from them.....then I realized you WORK for them......oopsie