East Coast Car Rentals www.eastcoastcarrentals.com.au

Just a note to let people know: Do not get close to “East Coast Car Rentals”, They are cheap, but take much more from your credit card, without your permission, against your permission, as they already have the credit card number.

I rented a car in Cairns, Australia on February 4, 2020, their insurance proposal seems way too high, so I did not buy it. But allowed them to freeze 1000 AU$ from my credit card (I fully agreed and gave my card to use) and I drove away.

I did scratch the car and stated so, when I returned the car (February 9, 2020), stating I will pay all the damages.

The elderly representative woman informed me that they will first charge me, before knowing the damage cost, 4,400 AU$, because, as the elderly representative woman stated “You should have bought our insurance” - meaning punishing me for not contributing to their profits. Of course, I CLEARLY STATED at that moment that I DO NOT ALLOW THEM to withdraw any money from my account (except to froze 1000 AU$), wait for the damage cost and I will cover it in full, even if it will be more than 4,400 AU$ as I felt obligated, for not buying insurance.

Two days later they reported that the TOTAL damage was 706.66 AU$, high cost for a scratch but seems OK.

When I got back home (a month later), I found out that they did withdraw 4,400 AU$, against my permission. I was waiting for them to return the rest of my money (4,400 AU$ - 706.66 AU$), but for 3 months they neglected to return it, so I sent them a few mails, to send the rest my money, and requested compensation for this violent act for the exchange rate from AU$ to US$ and to Israel Shekel and back to AU$, interest for my money laying in their bank for 3 months and for wasting my time, to get my money back. They did not agree to pay ANY compensation. I am now suing them for all these items, and they will pay for the local lawyer too and for my trip to Australia, to the courthouse.

My lesson from this “East Coast Car Rentals” is: cheap is eventually VERY EXPENSIVE, especially if they have your credit card number, and need unlawful profits to cover their “cheap” cost. Cheap company, “East Coast Car Rentals”, ECCR.

Be careful using this company if you go through a 3rd party . Will still push you to buy their insurance even after you tell them you have already purchased.

Tried to show them evidence to stop paying twice. Was told to contact the Australian office when we returned from our holiday in NZ.

1st contacted Brisbane office manager who talked over the top of me and told me it was all my fault. Completely rude and arrogant. Rang inquires who told me it was not their problem and no matter what " you are not going to get your money back".

It appears the culture of this organisation is to take your money no matter what and not provide any support to customers seeking sensible advice.

No one answers emails& phone calls we r trying to get them to complete work done on the car which we had a very small

Bump a 5 inch crack on the bumper thay have got 900dollersfor it ,all we want is a final bill to claim from our insurance

We have been waiting over 3 month .this is a joke ,I am a wheelchair bound penshoner so iwe need a car

I booked through rentalcars.com and didn't receive confirmation email which I normally do but money was taken straight away. I arrived at airport no sign on east coast car company so asked at hertz. They said eastcoast was OFF SITE which wasn't told to me and it was closed at 8.05pm. I had to pay for taxi to Sydney CBD and go back next day to get car service was very slow. Car was dirty with scratches and a baby seat(not needed). Nissan wasn't a nice car to drive. I had bad feeling from the start about it. On day 5 the clutch went in the middle lane of busy traffic. I called recovery from side of road they told me a 2 hour wait. So I waited. I was then told I could leave the car with key as recovery was on way. Once I returned to my place I phoned again to confirm the car was on way back to rental. They said I had to go back to car! I got there and car had gone! It had been towed! Recovery company and east coast office gave us completely different advice info and we're just rude! It's cost more in taxis than the car rental for ten days! I will be asking tomorrow for full refund! No cars should break down when rented out! Shocking customer service terrible company and cars that don't work!

Rented from Sydney Airport on 5 March 2016. After telephoning to say we had arrived at Sydney Airport, we waited over 30 minutes for the shuttle. The driver then parked on the hashed lines at the end of the pick up area. We are in our late 70s and he stood and watched as we struggled to get our luggage to the shuttle bus more than 100 metres.

Then the car they offered us had clearly had a bang at the back as both rear wings were damaged. We asked for a different car. This was refused as they said they had noted it and there would be no charge for the damage. So reluctantly we accepted the vehicle. A big mistake. After a couple of days we discovered that one of the brake lights was not working. We rang and were told to bring the car back to the airport for a replacement - drive of 45 minutes each way. Eventually they agreed to pay for a local garage to make the repair. Two days later, after two long drives, the battery was flat. The breakdown service got the car going but wouldn't replace the battery unless it failed again! We had already lost half a day on the brake lights so we said this was not good enough. In the event, we got the battery replaced by the local garage again who advised that it was the original battery. The car was more than 3 years old with over 66,000 kms on the clock! By now, we had lost more than a full day on car repairs out of our 11 day stay.

We had no difficulty in recovering the cost of the repairs, but received only an apology for the loss of a day's usage of the car, not any financial compensation. We asked to speak to the manager but were advised to write to him/her

1st they wanted me to pay $150 extra for a bit of sand in the car, which would easily be removed by a vacuumcleaner (I did it with a cloth and prevented the costs, but it wasn't much sand in the first place.

2nd they charged me for a day extra, because I picked the car up early. On the day I said I would wait in their office till the right time, but they said it was ok to take the car already. Upon return they charged for a full day extra, and wouldn't even allow me to have the car for the rest of the day.

3rd their customer support didn't respond to my complains (at least I'm still waiting after 5 days)

Recently rented a vehicle from East Coast Car Rental in Melbourne. The shuttle service was excellent, waiting for me when I arrived. Driver was friendly and professional.

Counter staff were only too eager to please and offer advice etc. No complaints re staff or car. I shall definitely be renting from them from now on.

Keep up the good work

Lovely, clean car. The inside smelled of dampness a little, so maybe a discreetly placed air freshener could be left in the car. The free shuttle bus pick up from the airport to the office to pick up the car was initially confusing, being the first time we used this company. But now that we know the routine, it will be easy to organise next time. The service was friendly and professional and we will certainly use East Coast again.

I am trying to cancel my reservation with them (R0BNXM) for the past 3 weeks but can't complete phone call from Brazil an they don't answer my e-mails.

I would never recommend them to anyone. I am 2 weeeks from my reservation and can't cancel it... Looking for their reservation policy, they will charge my credit card full due their bad service. Move away from them.

Hired a car for 19 days Very good Price,we arrived at Sydney International Airport, rang them from the pickup point. they were there in no time at all. When we arrived at the depot the service was fast and very pleasant and in no time we were on our way. We covered 3000kms28/8/14, when we returned the car it was checked and in no time at all we were delivered to international airport. All the people were very polite,pleasant and gave us TOP service, would recommend this rental company to everyone, J&J New Zealand.