I have always been a fan of SUVs ever since I started driving almost a decade ago. In the last few years the urge has only gotten stronger for some reason but the two main factors -- limited parking space in our locality and a small family stood in the way of getting a SUV.
So, when I came across companies like Zoom car, Revv etc., I was thrilled to bits. Finally, I could drive an XUV, Scorpio, Innova and even a Q3. I was like a kid in a candyshop. I wanted them all.
Among the many self-drive car rentals, I found Revv to be the best as there was no limitation on kms and I could drive as much as I wanted to.
So, yesterday, (Friday, January 29,2015) I finally booked a XUV 5OO for a duration of 5 hours (from 5 pm to 10 pm).
I booked the car at around 1 pm and immediately got a confirmation mail and a SMS. Then at 4.40 pm I got the first call from the Revv driver who was on his way to deliver the car asking for exact location of my house. After giving him the directions, I asked him from which part of the city was he coming?
“Saket, sir” he said. “Okay,” I said and disconnected the call and I got a feeling that this guy won’t make it on time simply because covering the distance of 18 km (Saket – my residence) in 20 minutes was not possible owing to the rush hour traffic on a weekday.
At 5.05 pm I again called him and he said that he would take a maximum of 20 more minutes. Waiting eagerly, the clock stuck 5.25 but there was still no sign of the car.
Finally, he arrived at 5.40 pm and said that he had missed a turn so had to take a U turn blah blah. He promised that the I could keep the car till 10.40 instead of 10 and mentioned it on the form.
The silver coloured XUV W4 was gleaming and shining and I was so happy to see it finally that for a moment I forgot that the car was delivered 40 minutes late.
However, there was another glitch, Revv says that they provide a full tank of fuel at the time of delivery and expect the same. But when I received the car, the top two bars on the fuel meter were missing. Upon enquiring, the driver said: “Sir, the fuel is at 90 per cent, when you return just fill it up till the same level.”
I had a tough time at the fuel station trying to match the exact number of bars at the time of delivery, which was a waste of time.
Frankly, speaking I am not a superstitious person but I have experienced on more than a few occasions that a bad start seldom ends fruitfully for me.
And this may not fall under a ‘bad start’ but was certainly not on a happy note.
So, coming back, the driver introduced himself, checked my license and ID proof, took photographs of them, as well as all the dents and scratches on the car and sent them to his supervisor. He also asked me to take the photos on my phone so that there is no dispute later.
So, I took pictures of the scratches and nicks (minor), the form that I had signed, the odometer and fuel and that was that. The whole process took just ten minutes and I was on my way.
It was a treat to drive the car and I loved every second of it but at the same time I was very careful to not let any biker too close to the car as I didn’t want any scratch or bump on it.
Here, I would like to clarify that on their website, Revv has mentioned that they if there is an accident, the maximum liability on the customer is Rs.5000/-, which they deduct from your card at the time of booking the vehicle as a security deposit.
And they even go on to say that they may not charge anything for minor scratches.
My route for the evening was -- Rajendra Nagar (central Delhi) – Mayur Vihar (east Delhi) – Connaught Place (central Delhi) – Mayur Vihar – Rajendra Nagar.
All was going well until I was in my last leg of the trip. That’s when my nightmare came true. Yes, I had an accident!
I was casually waiting at the Sarai Kale Khan traffic signal when I heard loud bang and realised that someone had hit me from behind.
So, this had happened. My first ever car rental experience and I have an accident. Great!
I got out and the culprit was a Ford Ecosport (Rajasthan registered). The driver was actually waiting behind me at the signal and somehow pressed the accelerator (his car was in gear and the clutch was engaged) I don’t know how’s that possible, but yeah that’s what he said.
The driver, must be in his early 20s, immediately apologised and said he would pay for the damage. Being a Jaipur resident, he did not want to get in any legal tangle in Delhi.
I explained to him that it was not my car but a rental and I would have to inform them while he should wait.
I called Revv, informed them about the accident, they asked me to wait and that a representative would get back. I got a call five minutes later, and the guy on the other end asked me to send a few pictures of the dent on WhatsApp.
After going through them, he gave me an estimate of minimum Rs.3500/- which frankly speaking was a joke because it was a dry dent on the rear hatch of the car and there was absolutely no damage to the paint or for that matter the bumper.
Meanwhile, the Revv guy clearly told me that a minimum of Rs.3500/- would be deducted from my account and it was up to me to get as much as I could from the Ecopsort driver.
The fact that the money would be deducted from my security made me see red.
So, I asked the Revv representative to explain in detail to the driver of the Ecosport as to how I will have to pay for his irresponsible action.
But the driver said that he had just Rs.500 with him and that I could check his wallet or car if I wanted to which was obviously not acceptable to me. He was apoligising profusely to me and said that I could take Rs.500 from him.
In fact, I agreed with him that it was not a Rs.3500/- damage but frankly speaking, I was helpless. Had it been my car, I wouldn’t have even bothered and got it fixed from my neighbourhood garage for a paltry sum.
So, after about half an hour of arguments and phonecalls and sharing photos on whatsapp etc. etc. I was at my wits end and decided to call it a night. I told the guy that he was free to go and I will deal with the company. He again offered me Rs.500 but I refused. He thanked me and drove off.
I then visited a fuel station, got the car filled came back home and returned the car at 10.50 pm. I informed the driver about the accident, signed a form and went home.
After having dinner, I shot a mail to Revv narrating the episode and requesting that no unreasonable amount of money be deducted from my security going by the damage to the car which was minor. I am awaiting their reply.
At the end, the episode has left a bad taste in my mouth. I am not sure whether I would be booking another self-drive rental anytime soon. Even if I do, will I be able to enjoy the drive or keep constantly worrying about another accident? I have absolutely no idea.
I have shared this post for all fellow Bhpians who are planning to try a car rental.