Way below average on site service

Very satisfied.

This was my first time renting a car abroad, and it was very convenient and efficient. The scheduled pickup time was 9 AM, but we actually got the car at 10 AM. The rental company agreed to let us return the car at 10 AM as well, which was great!

The staff was very patient. They had a slight accent, but communication was largely fine.

Overall experience was good, although it was weird that they didn't give us a car registration certificate. We intended to resolve it with the rental company but eventually forgot about it... The person who handed over the car seemed to be the manager, expressionless but the paperwork was thorough. Initially, we thought he was being a bit lazy during the inspection, but he ended up being very thorough (luckily). Returning the car took unexpectedly long, making us nervous because we had a flight to catch. Another staff member received the car, thoroughly inspected it twice, checking every part with his fingers and confirming with us twice. He even checked the interior and fuel tank. This was the first time I've encountered such thoroughness after renting cars four times and motorcycles three times abroad; either the staff was extremely diligent or trying to find reasons to charge us.

1. When I arrived at the premises of Europcar in Athens to get the car, they asked me to block an amount of deposit 10 times the amount indicated in my contract (3000 euros instead of 300 euros). I did not have 3000 euros available on my credit card. Then they asked 5 times the indicated deposit amount (1500 euros) but, at the same time, I had to pay 50 euros more for the rental than the 88 euros indicated in my contract (138 euros instead of 88 euros). This is clearly a breach of contract. I had no means to rent another car, I was with children and this was our last day of holiday so I had to accept it. 2. The car I got was in a rather poor state, full of scratches. 3. After returning the car without any problem, they did not unblock the deposit of 1500 euros from my credit card for 3 weeks. I called them twice, to no avail. A lady at the client service assured me both times that her colleagues most certainly had done all the necessary to unblock the deposit and that it was probably my bank's fault if it was still unblocked. Then I called my bank with which I have never had any such problem (and I rent cars often). Europcar had never unblocked the deposit. My bank did it for me since it was not claimed for 3 weeks.