Too big for their boots?

ARE SOME CAR-HIRE FIRMS GETTING TOO BIG FOR THEIR BOOTS?

Perhaps I’m being a little unjust, and merely looking for an excuse to use another cringingly awful pun as a headline, in the manner regularly adopted by our daily tabloids; or, just maybe, I am justified in voicing, so to speak, my absolute condemnation of a large corporation, who’s seemingly indifferent attitude to its customer’s feelings and welfare, are, to say the least, not far short of being downright callous!

We had a pleasant flight, leaving Bristol Airport, for Olbia Airport on the Costa Smeralda, in Sardinia. The amicable EasyJet cabin crew made us as comfortable (as is possible), and welcome, for the duration of our two and a half hour flight.

We were amazed at the speed at which we were able to retrieve our luggage from the solitary carousel that services Olbia airport, and made our way contentedly out of the terminal, following the signs directing us to the car rental enclosure

It was our first visit to Sardinia and we were keen to pick up our hire car as quickly as possible, and set off on our long journey down the coast. To avoid delay, and to ensure there would be a vehicle at our disposal, we had taken the precaution of reserving, and paying some six weeks in advance, for a small economy car.

On entering the hall, we were aghast to see a lengthy queue had already formed in front of one of the service stalls spread around the room. On closer inspection, we were relieved to see above the two-manned counter, the name EUROPCAR emblazoned, for all but the blind to see. We scanned the room, and with united sighs of relief, found that at the Auto Europe stand, only one person was waiting. We rushed forward and lined up behind him.

As our turn arrived, my wife excitedly handed over the authorisation documents she had been nursing, to the blank faced automaton behind the counter. He shook his head slowly and muttered inaudibly. (as we speak little Italian, he would have been quite safe talking a little louder)
After we pointed to the lettering that headed our documents and clearly stated AUTO EUROPE. he repeated his mime, only this time, a long digit was waved in front of us and pointed to the lengthy queue, that appeared to of remained unchanged, but optimistically anticipated a sudden surge of progress, from the unhurried man, and woman, behind the counter

We looked at each other, and in unison waved our own digits at the sign above his desk, and to the corresponding title on our documents. Our automaton casually raised his shoulders and let them fall, then unexpectedly raised his finger once more, and pointed to an unobserved box on our documentation that clearly stated EUROPCAR 2, Olbia Airport!

With heavy hearts we joined the already disgruntled tail-enders. During the next two hours and forty minutes, we queued! We took it in turns to keep our place in the queue, whilst one, or other, went to get a cold drink, or to relief ourselves of the effect of the cold drink.
We reserved places for other people in the queue, who were also in need of these facilities. We made friends, we entertained bored children, we turned a blind eye to a poor young mother forced to breast feed her young offspring, who had patiently held out for as long as he could.
We learned a lot about the island, and where people were going to, or where they came from. What we didn’t do, was progress! A disoriented snail would of moved faster along that hallway, than we did!
In a time greater than it had taken to fly from Bristol to Sardinia, we eventually traversed the great hall, and came face to face with the key holders!
However, despite prior booking, prior payment, and all details having been submitted, there was the paperwork to attend to, before those keys were to be placed in my now very sweaty palm.

The fact was, like many of the others who had patiently waited in that hot stifling hall, we had to travel some distance before our day’s journey ended; night was drawing in, and we had only a vague idea of where we were staying, and to top it all, I was already feeling exhausted from an early morning start.. We had been offered no apology, no refreshments, and worst of all - no explanation!

I have since contacted EUROPCAR by e-mail, and had my correspondence acknowledged with the assurance that a representative of that company would shortly contact me. Two weeks have passed since (possibly I’m in a queue) but surprise, surprise, no contact!!

Have you had any similar experience with this company, or another story to tell?
Please let me know!