They could not be worse than the experience which I previouslt posted under the topic
"Fred123
21d
In 2009, our elder daughter experienced a customer disservice from hell with Budget Car Rentals’ Darwin branch, which I posted on the former Not Good Enough website, and which I have copied below.
“27.06.2009. My daughter arrived at Budget Darwin airport desk for car she reserved with 2 baby seats for 3 year & 16-month-old girls. Employee couldn’t enter vouchers in system. Finally completed. Told to fit baby seats herself. 45 minutes from arrival to driving off.
On return, had to get girls & baggage from furthest point in car park. No trolley. Left mobile in car. Budget desk unattended.
Rang me from Bali that night re mobile left behind.
28.06.2009. I rang it. Answered by Budget employee at airport desk. Asked her to return it. I would pay costs. Said she would & advise manager.
09.07.2009. Called again. Spoke to manager, Nadia, who knew nothing about it. Gave me city number. Spoke with Chantelle. Said mobile was in office desk & would be sent by Pack & Send, as Australia Post do not accept mobiles. Charges COD. Gave address again.
16.07.2009. Spoke with Nadia. Still knew nothing. Said Chantelle in city. Spoke with Andrew. Said Chantelle at airport. Asked him to get her to call me.
She called and asked for brand of mobile and address. I said it was third time, to which she retorted that she was not the one who left it in the hire car.
Said she would post mobile. I reminded her what she told me on last call re Pack & Send.
22.07.2009. Called city office. Spoke with Andrew. Said it had been sent. Didn’t know how, when or who sent it, or where Chantelle was.
Called airport. Kate said she didn’t know where Chantelle was. Nadia was in meeting.
Called Pack & Send Darwin. Manager was extremely helpful & called back to advise no pickups from Budget Darwin in past 2 weeks. & nothing sent to me. If shipment was COD, they would have contacted me to payment.
Rang Budget’s HO to speak with customer service manager. Given NZ email address.
23.07.2009. Received email from Daria. Asked Darwin regional manager, Phil, to investigate & return mobile.
Advised her that my daughter had no means of communication when travelling between mine site and coast with 2 young girls in event of breakdown, accident, or other mishap, and mobiles were not sold on the island where she lives.
Two of my daughter’s friends were returning to mine site on 27.07.2009. Had same 5 hour wait in Darwin. Requested mobile be available at Budget airport desk.
No response. Phoned NZ. Said she would contact Darwin. Mobile not found. Last opportunity to return it to Indonesia lost.
24.07.2009. Received email from Phil. Believed mobile sent, but if they lost it, they would pay for replacement.
August. Phil called. Said mobile found behind cabinet during cleanup. Would be sent. Again asked for my address.
11.09.2009. Called Phil again. Said he would follow up.
22.09.2009. Sent Phil email. Rejected as incorrect address, as per previous emails Same one he sent email on 24.07.2009. Rang him. Said he would follow up.
24.09.2009. Phil called. Said Pack & Send had mobile. Definitely be delivered that afternoon. They could not understand how it took 3 weeks.
Waited all day & next day. Rang Phil. Said they would call Pack & Send Monday.
28.09.2009. No response. To my amazement, mobile arrived, 3 months to day I first contacted Budget.
Contrary to claim it was sent with Pack & Send, it arrived in Australia Post padded bag, inside Australia Post Express satchel. Battery detached from phone. Placed together in bag. Same signature on Dangerous Goods Declaration on bag and satchel.
Called Pack & Send Darwin. Manager advised they didn’t sent it. They would not have used Australia Post.
I have dealt with Budget for many years, spending thousands on business hire cars, starting in the early 1970’s when Bob Ansett’s motto was “We try harder”, and their customer service was excellent.
Unfortunately, the only motto that would befit the Darwin operations would be “We could not be more trying”.
Needless to say, our family will never deal with Budget again."
Fred123
"Fred123
21d
From the time I posted the above article about the disgraceful service at Budget Darwin on the former Not Good Enough website in 2009 to the time NGE shut down around 2012, the post had been read around 2,000 times.
Now it has another lease of life here.
Some businesses just seem to prefer to learn the hard way.
Bad customer service reviews. “The gift that just keeps on giving”."
