Elba by Car www.elbabycar.com

I rented a car this summer. The nightmare started once I waited two hours to get the car, then it continued once I discovered the 10 years model car they gave me and finally I punctured a tire. It happens, but the tires were so used that the tire seller didn't want to repair it. I contacted several time Elba by Car but they simply ignored my request, of course they didn't forget to charge my credit card for the new tire I never used.

Some weeks ahead of my trip to Elba in September 2013, I booked a car on Elbabycar's website and agreed with them to pick up the car at the ferry port (Portoferraio) and return it at the airport (Marina di Campo). Upon arrival at the ferry port it turned out that my car was not there, but a driver sent by Elbabycar was waiting to transfer me to the airport. Being at the ferry port with an infant and a toddler, and the transfer car not having child safety seats, I decided to cancel my rental contract with Elbabycar.

Luckily there was a car rental company at the ferry port where I could rent a car including child safety seats.

Elba by car, the sole rental car company on the Island of Elba offers great services (free collection of the car on the whole island) at reasonable prices, but be careful, it can be expensive at the end of the day.

I booked a cabrio 5 weeks in advance, which was confirmed immediately via email. Arriving on Elba I had to learn that the booked car was not available, supposedly because of repair work in a garage (!?). I had to accept a different (smaller) car at almost the same rates as booked, as there is no alternative. I agreed with Elba by car to collect the car at a certain time at a particular place 24 hours later (2 pm). Elba by car asked me not to lock the car and to leave the key on the sun shield. They did not show up at the agreed point in time. 8 hours later (10 pm) I decided to lock the car over the night in order to avoid damage or theft. Later in the night Elba by car showed up and wanted to collect the car, which was of course not possible.

Elba by car charged a second day and in addition a collection fee, which has never been agreed. At the end of the day the car rental was 240 % of the booked rate for a smaller car. Be careful if you intended to rent a car from Elba by car.