So many reasons NOT to rent from Enterprise, where should I start?

Let's see, I've closed on houses in less time than it takes to deal with the 20something person with the clip-on tie behind the counter who tries to sell you every upgrade or insurance available. It's also none of his business who my insurance company is, unless I have an accident, and then I agree it is their business.

I hate to have to scour the car for any nicks or scratches like a CSI team when I pick up the car, as you know they will find real or imagined nicks or scratches on the cars return.

Hours of operation. At a lot of airport locations they aren't exactly open when flights come in or go out, so you have to figure out what to do with the car when you return at some ungodly hour such as 8 AM on Sunday morning. The sign at the counter generally sends you down the street to Habib's Mini-Mart where you leave your keys with only a certain individual, who is on the same schedule as Enterprise office hours. Upside is however you don't have to have the little 20something year old inspect your car with the magnifying glass for damage, since you didn't buy the extra insurance.

This one is little, but basic model cars. I didn't know you could still get manual roll windows, or a car with just an AM radio. Yes I know this is a small thing, but between that and no ice scaper in a car in the winter in a cold climate, and it becomes a big thing. One upside to Enterprise is you learn about all sorts of new car models you never knew existed. Their fleet is in many cases not exactly the main line Chevrolets, Fords and Toyotas that you find at the other companies. I remember a business associate driving up with an Enterprise car that was from some Korean company that none of us had ever heard of.

Not a huge issue, but they don't allow pre-payments on cars. I had a client reserve a car for me with Enterprise, they intended to pay for it, rather than have me re-invoice it back to them and wait for payment. Enterprise will take a credit card number with a reservation, they just won't use it to pay for the car. They want your credit card also. Guess it's for their collection of credit card numbers. Upside to this is they did lose a corporate client over this one, as I chose to use another rental car company for my rental rather than give my credit card to Enterprise. The other company was of course cheaper, and I didn't have go through the endless upgrade/insurance questions.

Perhaps Enterprise has cleaned up their act, but I've been Enterprise free for several years because I was tired of what I consider to be sleazy practices when you pick up, or should I say try to pick up a car. They know they have a captive audience and they will try everything to get a few extra bucks on the rental, or will try to scare you into buying extra insurance. Upselling I can handle, annoying salesdroids and intimidation by the same I will not tolerate. You shouldn't have to tell them no more than twice for each option, nor should you have to provide your insurance company - that is just intimidation.

I feel so sorry for the people who don't travel much and have reserved with Enterprise in order to save a few bucks. Following the 30 minute shuttle ride to the "airport" location, and the gate-shark gets through with them and they drive away in their "full-size" Dodge Neon they probably could have rented a Premium car at a real rental car company for the same money.

Cabs, mass transit, hitchhiking and walking are all much better options than renting from Enterprise.