What to know about Hertz
Founded in 1918 in Chicago by Walter L. Jacobs, Hertz is a US-based company specializing in Car rentals. Jacobs was just 22 years old when he launched his business with a fleet of a dozen Ford Model Ts, which he maintained and rented out himself. His goal was to offer a mobility solution accessible to city dwellers at a time when owning a car was a luxury reserved for a small minority.
Development and expansion
In 1923, businessman John D. Hertz acquired the company and renamed it the Hertz Drive-Ur-Self Corporation. Under his leadership, the firm saw rapid expansion, growing its services across the United States and diversifying its fleet. This growth was defined by a series of strategic acquisitions and an increased footprint in international markets.
Current services and global reach
Today, Hertz provides an extensive range of vehicle rentals, from economy cars to luxury models, along with commercial vans and electric vehicles. The company operates in more than 150 countries, with a network of thousands of locations across five continents. This global reach allows Hertz to meet the varying needs of its customers, whether for business trips, leisure travel, or professional requirements.
Strengths and differentiation
Among the key strengths of Hertz is a diverse and frequently updated fleet, ensuring that customers get modern and well-maintained vehicles. The company aims to provide quality customer service with flexible options tailored to individual needs.
Hertz also looks to differentiate itself from competitors through a commitment to innovation, specifically by integrating advanced technologies to streamline the rental process and by developing sustainable mobility solutions, such as the addition of electric vehicles to its fleet.
Do you have a debit card and wonder if it is enough to secure a rental? Learn here how to book your car without a credit card.
Furthermore, as agreed with the Hertz representative at the Marriott hotel in Bucharest and according to the terms of our online reservation, we returned the vehicle on July 20 at 4:00 PM at the Cluj-Napoca airport. Since no Hertz representative was on site, we called the number indicated at the company counter. The person on the phone did not want to come over, so they asked us to put our keys and papers in the designated drop box and leave the vehicle in the airport parking lot.
The car was in the same condition as when we picked it up 5 and a half days earlier, but no inspection was possible. It was only when we returned to Bucharest that we were told the vehicle was scratched and that they were keeping our 400 euro deposit.
We strongly contest this decision because, while we do not doubt the good faith of the Hertz representative in Cluj, the vehicle sat unattended for more than 10 hours and could have been damaged after we left. Furthermore, we deplore the unpleasant attitude of Hertz since then, the impossibility of obtaining the address of a claims department, being sent to a call center number in Ireland, and being told that we don't know how to read a contract (in English and in small print).
This adventure cost us a total of 1516.83 euros for 5 and a half days of rental! If you surf the net, you realize that this mishap is not exceptional, which is confirmed by the recent report from the fraud repression department published in July.