Each occurrence we emailed their main office and filed written complaints and except for two automated responses...never received an actual or official reply. Their main objective is to maximize their profits...no matter the cost to their customers. They are nothing more than criminals...stealing money from our account without notification or permission.

The worst incident occurred when we rented a car from them when leaving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the 25th of April 2004. our agreed rental was for an entire month. We rented the car from their downtown location. The manager spoke good English, but we were aided by our interpretor. Our desires and requirements were detailed and fully explained. We were to drop off the car in Iguacu Falls, Brazil, on the border of Paraguay and Argentina, and there we were allowed to change cars. Their company did not have authorization from neighboring countries and no Brazilian rental car was allowed to cross the border. At the end of the one month we arrived at our destination and proceeded to drop the car off at the city's airport. I have dealt with some rude and belligerent people in my life, but the Avis personnel were contemptible and as stupid as rocks. Not only did they not speak a word of English, which is understandable, they advised me that I could not rent another car at their location for access to another country. Our interpreter was with us and as the entire situation unfolded it became an apparently unsolvable dilemma. After some heated discussion I agreed to just drop off the car and would proceed to rent another one after crossing the border into Argentina. Well, this was not the only issue it seemed, nor was it the main one.

They inspected the car and finding absolutely nothing wrong, printed the final bill. It was 40 percent higher than the original contract had declared...an additional $800 US dollars! Another car rental nightmare was forming. I argued and argued and pointed out that the rental agent in Rio had been made clearly aware of our intent to drop the car off at this location and that he unmistakably and undoubtedly stated there would be NO additional drop-off fees. My complaints fell on deaf ears. They were going to charge us an additional $800 USD for the drop-off fee. When you are dealing with unscrupulous companies it really doesn't matter what you believe is correct, as I was quite loudly informed by our interpreter, translating the bellowing words of their agent. He repeatedly commented that it didn't matter if I agreed or even if I signed the new agreement to pay the new charges. In boast, he stated that they had my credit card information and would bill me at their discretion. We left and even after sending an email to Avis customer service dept. in the United States and an email to my bank in regard to the possibility of an unauthorized transaction...my Visa card was debited for over $2000 USD.

Avis and their gang of thief's charged us an astronomical fee for the privilege of driving a small Fiat for thirty days. The car, itself wasn't worthy of even being allowed on the road. Its brakes squealed, the small motor had great difficulty in transcending the mountains. The seats had no recline adjustment. There was no front stereo speakers, the antenna was hung off the rear-view mirror and the cheap radio couldn't capture a signal 50 meters from the radio station. Even worst...there was NO CD or even a Tape Player. To think that we were swindled in to paying over $65 USD a day for this car was unbelievable. Our company has emailed AVIS on several occasions and have received nothing but corporate rhetoric and they have still, after several months, showed no real resolve for dealing with this urgent matter.

It is sad that such companies feel the need to stoop to such outlandish behavior in effort to increase their profits. Their contracts are specifically designed to confuse and belittle their clients and even worst, they maintain the right, thanks to the bank and credit card companies, to charge you exorbitant fees at any time. Their trusting customers become their unwilling victims. They can debit your credit or debit card indefinitely. As I was informed by our bank there is no protection against such actions and any company processing your credit card or bank details can literally steal you blind.

  I am appalled at the behavior of this internationally known company. They have shown their true merit and the only issue in which they TRY HARDER is to relieve you of your money! Travelers Digest and its affiliated companies strongly advise anyone of renting a car from Avis. In reference to any car rental company, be extremely cautious and be sure to get every detail of the transaction verified in writing. Do not take the word of any employee, not even the manager. Inspect the car yourself before leaving the rental property. Take a small camera and shoot photos of the cars entire interior and exterior. Get a written form declaring you rights and if you are planning on dropping the car elsewhere make sure it is clearly stated on the contract and that the final price clearly reflects it. Clarify each and every detail...no matter how insignificant it may appear. Get it in writing and then even after the transaction has been completed...watch your bank statements for unauthorized charges. If you see any such unauthorized charges contact your bank, your credit card company and file a written complaint with all proper agencies, both in the location of the rental and in your own home country. No matter the results...if you have been cheated...don't give up. Keep after them until the problem is resolved!

Send your complaints regarding such issues to me, Mike Smith (mikesmith@travelersdigest.com) and we will gladly post any and all valid grievances and claims against any car rental company, regardless of its location.