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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Anna Tims

Thrifty holiday car hire turns out to be an expensive mistake

Breakdown in communication with Thrifty over returning a faulty car.
Breakdown in communication with Thrifty over returning a faulty car. Photograph: Alamy

I hired a car through Thrifty at Tenerife airport in December, and paid for fully comprehensive insurance. While we were driving up a steep road the engine cut out and the car had to be pushed to safety. Thrifty told me to bring the car back – a round trip of more than 200km, which meant two days of our week-long holiday was ruined. I’ve tried to get redress, but this has been refused. SS, Montgomery

Hertz, which owns Thrifty, professes itself baffled. “We provide 24-hour road assistance globally to avoid unfortunate situations such as this,” says a spokesperson. “The number is clearly provided on our rental agreements and staff are trained to ensure it is offered in appropriate situations. We regret that, on this occasion, our communication may not have been clear in this respect.”

It says that because it was some time ago, it will never know what went wrong. But, in belated recognition of the “disruption and inconvenience”, it has offered compensation.

If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number.

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