My current experience

First I ordered through my travel agent an automatic and europcar confirmed a manual. Ok I can put up with that. Second, I attempt to pick up my car at Lille station in France and the car was filthy dirty. I told them I was not happy with the cars condition and they asked me to come back in one hour which I did. When I got back in one hour I had to wait one more hour til the car got back. It came back still dirty but I didn't want to wait any longer. Thirdly. They said it had no damage. Well it had scratches all over it and they just shrugged their shoulders. Fourthly. During my travels I lowered the sun visor to find the previous renters fuel card. Obviously their preparation for the next client didn't include cleaning nor a check of the car. Fifthly the oil light begins to flash on the dashboard do I go to service station and fill the oil. The light still flashes and a warning signal lights up suggesting danger to the motor. Sixth point. Because I do not speak French, the lady at our hotel tries to ring europcar France and is told to call the Lille office, which she does. At Lille they say they are too busy to help so call someone else. She spends 2 hours and seventeen phone calls trying to get some assistance and all she gets is " we can only help if the car has broken down of is in an accident" . All I want to do us prevent major damage to the car but europcar dong care. The owner and staff at my hotel suggest I smash the car or drive it into the river to get some assistance. The owner if the hotel has been redirected to europcar in breve, sarlat, figeac, speedy and other people who cannot assist. I am do pissed off that I will never use europcar again, I would rather walk. Their service is a disgrace and I will write to the managing director and demand an explanation. What a dreadful way to run a business. Signed Scott Hamilton. From Melbourne, Australia . A very frequent visitor to Europe and one that will buy a car, train it or walk in France in future.