Enterprise Rent a Car Deceptive Advertising Combined with Bait and Switch Tactics Narragansett Rhode Island

Here is a copy of the complaint I have filed with The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office regarding the deceptive and illegal practices I encountered when I rented a vehicle from Enterprise Rent a Car. I am also in the process of filing a complaint with the FTC/Bueau of Consumer Affairs againt Enterprise.

**Please note: I am definitely interested in filing a Class Action Lawsuit againt Enterprise, so if anyone else has had a similiar experience, please contact me. It's not about the money; I just want them to be held accountable for their actions.**

***********************************************************************************************

Complaint against Enterprise:

~False Advertising

~Bait and Switch Tactics

 I received an online advertisement from Enterprise Rent-A-Car offering a weekend special for $9.99 per day rental. 

 Their website offers 2 classes of vehicles for $9.99 per day: Economy (2 or 4 door) or Compact (4 door). 

 I opted for the compact on the website: a 4 Door vehicle.

 When I arrived to pick up the vehicle on December 19, 2014 at approximately noon, I was told that the only "weekend special" vehicle available was a 2 Door "Smart" Car. 

 I objected to this vehicle since it was not a 4 door compact, as advised and reserved. 

 The representative, Stan, (who unbeknownst to me was also the 'manager') advised that there were no compacts available for $9.99 per day (False advertising), but if I paid an extra $8.00 per day, I could get a larger, four-door vehicle (Bait and Switch). 

 As I was in a rush to get to a family function, I did not take the time to argue these points with the Enterprise representative or advise him that the reason I had made a reservation for a compact 4 door vehicle is because I have a handicapped sister, who has mobility equipment which would need to be put in a backseat or truck.

 The "Smart" car is not a suitable vehicle to transport a handicapped person in and is, in my opinion, a death trap. Had I know that this was the vehicle that Enterprise was going to 'bait and switch' me with, not once, but TWICE, I never would have made a reservation for a rental car with this company. 

 I have rented with Enterprise many times over the years. I assumed this experience was a fluke and made another reservation for the online special of $9.99 per day for the following weekend, December 26th. 

 Once again, I followed the instructions on the Enterprise website and chose a "Compact" 4 Door vehicle for $9.99 per day. Here is a copy of the online rental chose:

************************(Actual copy from website)*******************************

Compact

Nissan Versa or similar

4 Doors

Automatic Transmission

Air Conditioning

 Mileage Restrictions

Note: You'll get a total of 300 miles free and will be charged $ 0.20 USD for each additional mile for the entire rental.

 (Special)

3 Days @ Special  $ 9.99 USD$ 29.97 USD

Subtotal$ 29.97 USD

RHODE ISLAND SURCHARGE$ 2.40 USD

SALES TAX$ 2.27 USD

* Total Charges: $ 34.64 USD

***************************************************************************************

When I arrived at the Enterprise office in Narragansett, RI, I was once again told the only vehicle available for the weekend special was a "Smart" car. 

 At this point I became aggravated and pointed out to the Enterprise representative, Alisa, that this was a four door, compact vehicle that was advertised and that was reserved. This representative stated that "the economy and the compact can be either 2 or 4 doors" and if I wanted "something bigger" there would be an extra charge for that. 

 This is clearly False Advertising and Bait and Switch. The representative said that she did not have the authority to upgrade me without charging me and also advised me the manager, Stan, was off for the day. 

 I asked for Stan's supervisor and was given a number to the Administrative Office in Cranston,RI (946-0470), where you have to type in the last name to get an extension. I typed in the name of the Area Manager, John Bachner, and there was no one with that last name at that office. I pointed this out to Alisa and said I would need a direct number to John Bachner. The number I was give was (((redacted))). I dialed this number and got the voicemail of someone with the first name of "Ken" , not the area manager, John Bachner. 

 At this point, I had enough. I called a friend to come pick me up.

 I believe this is clear case of False Advertising and Bait and Switch. I am filing this complaint as a first step prior to seeking any legal action against Enterprise. I am also filing a complaint with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation and the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection.