 Poster: A snowHead
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A word of warning to my fellow Snowheads following a bizarre car rental experience at Geneva Airport earlier today.
I booked a car through Holiday Autos and the paperwork sent me to the Advantage desk (owned by Hertz). Completed the usual formalities and then enquired about chains. The rep told us that the chains were part of the winter pack which we had pre booked. The rep then said "They cost 3 Francs a day to use"...
Transpires that the chains are in a sealed box and if you open the box without paying in advance they will charge you 100 Francs "for cleaning and oiling them".
We paid as he wouldn't give us the damn things otherwise but I'll be writing to Holiday Autos to demand a refund of the 12 Francs we paid. Our confirmation confirms that we have paid for the winter pack comprising of winter tyres (mandatory anyway), ice scraper and chains. Let's face it, you don't pay extracto use the radio or air-con...!
Has anyone else experienced anything as bizarre?
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cran
cran
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If you have winter tyres you shouldn't need chains...
People with chains on usually drive really slowly, get in the way and cause traffic jams, especially going down hill.
If when you get to the resort you have a really steep drive to get up to your chalet just reverse up it.
Even when the police are stopping traffic to put chains on if you say winter tyres (pneu d'hiver) they just let you through.
Is very rare you actually need them with winter tyres.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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they were only lettiing 4x4s through to davos the other week without chains..
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Hurdy wrote: |
A word of warning to my fellow Snowheads following a bizarre car rental experience at Geneva Airport earlier today.
I booked a car through Holiday Autos and the paperwork sent me to the Advantage desk (owned by Hertz). Completed the usual formalities and then enquired about chains. The rep told us that the chains were part of the winter pack which we had pre booked. The rep then said "They cost 3 Francs a day to use"...
Transpires that the chains are in a sealed box and if you open the box without paying in advance they will charge you 100 Francs "for cleaning and oiling them".
We paid as he wouldn't give us the damn things otherwise but I'll be writing to Holiday Autos to demand a refund of the 12 Francs we paid. Our confirmation confirms that we have paid for the winter pack comprising of winter tyres (mandatory anyway), ice scraper and chains. Let's face it, you don't pay extracto use the radio or air-con...!
Has anyone else experienced anything as bizarre? |
Yes, I had this with Advantage last time I hired in GVA - a very weird experience to be told that you have chains, but will be charged if you use them. BTW don't think it will worth taking much with HA as they do not appear to have any answers. BTW Advantage seem to be Hertz hiring out their older models, mine had a couple of scratches inside and out, be sure you get these agreed before you take the vehicle.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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We paid for the hire of chains 3CHF per day at the airport but were not told that we'd be charged extra if we used them. Glad we didn't need them 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ian Kenvyn, my experience is that it's worth complaining to Holiday Autos. The complaints process takes some time, but they've reimbursed me every time I've complained.
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cran,
I think chains will have to be used if there isn't time to clear a heavy dump and that applies even to cars with winter tyres and 4x4. Some European mountain passes are sign-posted to require chains and the police can let cars through using discretion and judging the road condition at the time.
I got the feeling the 100CHF charge may not be real but just as a warning to discourage drivers playing with the chains. If the chains were abused or misused with pieces broken or missing then the hire company has a right to position itself to recoup the cost of a new chain set.
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Alamo/National/europcar tried to pull the same fast one (extra charge for chains) on us at Zurich on a Holiday Autos "winter pack".. Persuaded them they were wrong by showing them the booking and they coughed up the chains which we had nearly driven off without as they hadn't been offered & weren't in car where they have previously always been. Suspect it might be HA pulling a fast one by charging extra for winter stuff that used to be std in cars in CH.
Edit to clarify - no mention of an additional charge if I actually used them
Last edited by After all it is free  on Tue 7-02-12 16:42; edited 2 times in total
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| cran wrote: |
If you have winter tyres you shouldn't need chains...
Is very rare you actually need them with winter tyres. |
True. We've got snow tyres on our car and only need chains on once or twice a season. But when we need them we're not going anywhere without them.
A lot depends on your car - we had to put chains on our Megane this season when I'm pretty sure that our old, clapped out Peugeot 205 would have comfortably made it up the hill.
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Hurdy, Useful post, as we are hiring three cars from Zurich soon. IMV this seems to be a complete racket. Snow chains are required by law so they should be included in the rental price, they have already taken enough extra cash off us for the priviledge of paying for the winter tyres.I think I am correct in saying that in Switzerland, winter tyres are not required by law but chains are, that doesn't make much sense to me.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Tue 7-02-12 10:52; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I had a problem with Alamo over the Christmas/New Year Period. I hired the car and asked at the Nice airport counter when we arrived about the chains as we were driving up to La Clusaz and La Tania in a few days, they said they didn't have them for my car but would get them, I went back to collect them on the 31st December, the day before we were traveling and was told they still didn't have them. I asked if they could arrange some from another office to be told that it was Nice and no-one had them, which is rubbish as I've had them from Hertz and Europecar before, for free. Anyhow, decided to risk it and drove up, arrival was fine but it started snowing heavily the next morning and I decided I had to get some as the forecast was for days of consecutive snow, ended up buying them for E45 from Carrefore, luckily they fit the father in laws car as well so he has had them for E25, E20 cost probably less than the charge for taking them from Alamo.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Last time I hired from Holiday Autos for Geneva I didn't book their winter pack but added it at the desk. Following some variations to the rental contract (with Alamo I think) as we had to stay out for a few extra days, they then totally forgot to add the winterisation fee (which in Switzerland is a rip off anyway as cars have to have winter tyres and carry chains, by law!)
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Swiss cars need neither winter tyres nor chains by law.
Winter tyres are an advantage as if you don't have them and are in an accident in snowy/icy conditions, your insurance won't pay out.
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You know it makes sense.
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under a new name, See here-http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html
Does this mean that if there is a sign saying you are required to put chains on and you don't have them that is an offence?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Just got an unexpected charge from Alamo through Holiday Autos. Only £5.79, but there should be no change made at all as all pre-paid through Holiday Autos. Will let you know if I get anywhere. Otherwise will ask MasterCard to take a look. Why are car hire companies such scam merchants?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| ringingmaster wrote: |
| Why are car hire companies such scam merchants? |
Because we all only buy on cost, not service.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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As we are hiring two cars from them on the 2nd of March which included "winterisation" from Zurich. I have asked Holiday Autos to confirm via email that there will be no further cost or unexpected charges when we pick up the cars, for snow chains. I had a auto response saying it will take 30mins to reply, that was 12 hours ago. I am def going to nail them down on this one before I go away.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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We got the same last weekend but we hadn't paid for the additional winter pack at booking so we were fine with it.
The Advantage car must have been the highest-mileage hire car I ever had, even more than a battered Nissan X-Trail in Chile (rented through Alamo, who were BIG TIME scam merchants). But it was in good working order, the right size and had a zippy engine.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| horizon wrote: |
| The Advantage car must have been the highest-mileage hire car I ever had, even more than a battered Nissan X-Trail in Chile (rented through Alamo, who were BIG TIME scam merchants). But it was in good working order, the right size and had a zippy engine. |
did you get an inexplicable charge from Alamo Chile too? Holiday Autos refunded me because they "couldn't get an adequate explanation from Alamo" so no harm done but I was wondering wtf is up with Alamo
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Just go this back from holiday autos
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Thank you for taking your time to contact Holiday Autos concerning your booking in Switzerland with Alamo.
Having studied your email, I am sorry to learn that your credit card was charged by our partner for the amount of 5.79 GBP for unexplained reason.
Having been in contact with our partner to investigate the matter, they have asked me to extend their apologies for applying incorrect charged to your credit card. They have also authorised me to process a refund for you.
Please, kindly note that the amount of 6 GBP has been now processed to your card details used at the time of booking and should appear on your bank statement as cleared funds within 5 - 10 working days depending on your bank’s clearing times.
In closing, I would again like to apologise for the inconvenience incurred and I hope my response has been of assistance. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
If you have winter tyres you shouldn't need chains...
People with chains on usually drive really slowly, get in the way and cause traffic jams, especially going down hill.
If when you get to the resort you have a really steep drive to get up to your chalet just reverse up it.
Even when the police are stopping traffic to put chains on if you say winter tyres (pneu d'hiver) they just let you through.
Is very rare you actually need them with winter tyres.
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cran ... nice bit of trolling?... I'm not so sure I should rise to this comment or not.. but what a load of total generalisation and really innaccurate (if not potentially dangerous) advice!
(Don't beleive a bloke who has lived out in the Alps for 6 years though... just rely on peeps who have spent a weeks holiday with a hire car).
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We have been driving to the alps from Scotland several times a year for over 20 years. We had only put chains on twice previously but had them on for 2 weeks in December when visiting Meribel. We have winter tyres but that wasn't enough as we were staying in a small village where the roads still had lots of snow and ice. We had to drive along to the gondola in Les Allues each day and wouldn't have made it without chains.
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| cran wrote: |
If you have winter tyres you shouldn't need chains...
Is very rare you actually need them with winter tyres. |
It's rare i need my car insurance but i still have it. It's rare to need a warning triangle, reflective vest, first aid kit, spare bulbs or even a spare tyre but i carry all of them.
oh bloody hell, I've gone and responded, just like you wanted!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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midgetbiker, careful... easy goin.... 
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We were hit with a charge by Holiday Autos at Geneva Airport for winter tyres - from memory this was CHF 150
On checking the website, the T&Cs state:
Switzerland rentals
Winter tyres are mandatory for all Switzerland rentals from 01 November 2010 - 15 April 2011. If you choose not to pre-book these when making your booking with holiday autos you will be charged when you pick up your hire car.
I made the booking through Travelocity, and I don't recall being given the option of pre-booking..and hardly an option if mandatory.
Yes - I chose the company on price, but factor this charge in and Holiday Autos is at least as expensive as the alternatives.
I consider it lesson learnt - I'm booking Hertz /Avis in future
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We had the same issue with HA / Advantage. Have written to complain but no reply yet. Didn't pay but didn't need them.
I thought that swiss side meant snow tyres and chains and a vignette? They'' be charging for tyre wear next.
In addition - arrive 21.30 got to the desk 22.00 (in the car park), presented the voucher, and received a shrug. No cars. Exsqueeze me?
No cars. We have a little car if you want that? For four blokes, complete with big bags / boot bags etc....
Anyway, after a heated debate, he relented, made a call and an hour and a half later  our car arrived.
Intergalactic mileage, scratches, dents and dings galore.
You don't know who the hire company is till you get the voucher. I'll phone in future....
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Hurdy wrote: |
| Transpires that the chains are in a sealed box |
usually a tiewrap
use the small blade of a swiss army knife to free it open without cutting and replace when finished
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Update
After some "discussion" with Holiday Autos, namely a big fat refusal to admit their error, I have been told that I am to receive a refund for the cost of the snow chains.
They initially denied that snow chains were part of the winter pack, despite this being advertised on their website, and claimed that my paperwork clearly referred to the provision of a winter tyres and an ice scraper. I duely e-mailed them the paperwork sent to me at the time of booking with the magic words "your pre-paid winter pack includes winter tryes, snow chains and an ice scraper" enlarged in a very vile colour.
Hurdy 1 - Holiday Autos 0
Although it is only really half time as we have another complaint outstanding which is worth a bit more than CHF 12!!!!!
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You know it makes sense.
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I've just booked with Car3000. mandatory €6 per day winterisation, which ends up being a tad cheaper than other companies, but you still have the option of snow chains as an optional extra. I called car3000 on the freephone number, they confirmed it included snow chains - there was nothing on the website to say what winterisation includes. The actual rental company will be Sixt
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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There was a thing on the radio the other day about Holiday Autos. Someone had paid collision damage waiver when she booked the car inthe UK, then at her destination they charged her again, as they told her they have no means of checking what is booked from UK. It turned out that she had paid twice, but neither the UK branch or the foreign branch were prepared to refund her.
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Poster: A snowHead
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genepi: That was simply her own fault for asking for insurance twice. Like most (all ?) resellers HA arrange their own CDW insurance. I'm sure that on the papwerwork supplied it will say something like 'decline all insurance offered locally'.
And for comparison: I saw chains for sale in a HyperCasino a couple of weeks ago ranging from €35 (smallest) to €47.50 (largest). It's often not worth renting them for a week. And they weigh 2~3 kg if you want to bring them home again
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Part 2:- We've now recovered all of our money from HolidayAutos and I must say that their customer service has been very good.
Our car hire broke down the night before we were due to return to GVA. They have investigated our complaint and Europcar have refunded the cost of the taxi from La Tzoumaz to GVA, mobile phone costs and a goodwill payment to apologise for the inconvenience (and shocking customer service from Europcar....their supervisor spent most of our "conversation" ranting down the phone at me).
All in all I would use HolidayAutos again...if they can guarantee that I won't be sent to Europcar!
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FAQ
