ETC Reviews 13

Frustrating and Unreliable Experience

Our experience with Explorer Vacation AG and Kayak was an absolute nightmare. We booked a rental car with a 6:00 AM pickup, but the confirmation email had the wrong address. After wasting time and money on an Uber to the incorrect location, we had to figure out where they had actually moved. Despite calling multiple times, no one answered.

When we finally arrived at the correct address, the office was closed. The sign said they would open at 8:00 AM, so we waited in the freezing cold for two hours—only for NO ONE to show up. By 8:30 AM, after 30 unanswered calls, we gave up. Completely unprofessional and unacceptable. Do yourself a favor and rent from a company that actually shows up.

The Worst Car Rental Experience Ever

This was, without a doubt, the worst car rental experience I have ever had. Our confirmation email gave us the wrong address, so we took an Uber to the wrong place. After struggling to find the actual location, we arrived at the correct office—only to find it closed, despite our confirmed 6:00 AM pickup.

We waited outside in freezing temperatures for two hours, expecting them to open at 8:00 AM as stated on the door. By 8:30 AM, still no one had arrived, and they never answered any of our dozens of phone calls. Absolutely unreliable and unprofessional. I would never recommend this company to anyone.

I felt scammed. Upon returning the car, the employee asked if I had insurance. When I said yes, they immediately pointed out damages on my car and held my deposit. After a month, I followed up for an invoice to submit to my insurance. The invoice I received seemed fake! I called the auto dealership listed for the repairs, but it doesn't exist. The phone number on the invoice is wrong, and when I checked Google Maps, the address is just a gas station without a repair shop. Luckily, my insurance accepted everything, but the whole situation is so strange...

Their employees are trying their best to follow the instructions of their management. Unfortunately they have dodgy actions, they will charge you the bond deposit that suppose to be untouched ,but they will take it from your bank and not refunding back . They don't reply and pick up the calls. They won't help you with your issues. We hired a car that broke down and didn't even do anything no respond. The car issues was technical according to the 24hours road assistance auto mechanic from Luzern. Si we shoulder it on our own as we got no response from the car rental company. When we get to contact them coz we go there personally at teh office, they even charged us extra 2000chf and they won't let us go because they said the car has broke down. It was not our fault that they gave us rubbish car. And now they haven't guce us back 3000chf as hokd deposit.they won't reply neither one of many updates or emails. The stress they're giving to many customers. They're dodgy.

HERE’S A NEW HIDDEN COST, BORDER CROSSING FEES IN THE SCHENGEN AREA
Using the Skyscanner site I booked a hire car through a broker called VIP cars provided by EXPLORE VACATIONS from Zurich Airport for 360CHF for 12days.
While looking through the small print on the reservation voucher I noticed that the provider, ECPLOR3 VACATIONS and VIP Cars, wanted to charge an extra 185CHF for the privilege of crossing a Schengen area border which is 50% of the original booking fee more!!!
I was so incensed that I immediately cancelled the booking with just 48hrs to go and re-booked again with the broker VIP Cars, but this time the car provider was Alamo and it was FREE to cross a Schengen border. Unfortunately, the hire fee was now 427CHF, as it was now a short notice booking but for the same sized car. I also incurred a cancellation fee of £17 from the 1st booking.
I complained to VIP cars who said that it was nothing to do with them as they were just the broker but, as an act of good faith, VIP Cars refunded me the £17 Explore Vacations cancellation fee. However, they did insist immediately and repeatedly that I change my Trust Pilot rating.
Acting only as a broker, VIP Cars’ name appears loud and clear on the Skyscanner site whilst booking; loud and clear on all emails and loud and clear on the Rental Voucher. Yet VIP Cars have, supposedly, nothing to do with the car-supplying process provided, in this instance, by EXPLORE VACATIONS. In fact, you have to look closely to see EXPLORE VACATION’S name.
Because of this ridiculous situation and because the 185 CHF border crossing fee is not clearly visible when booking with EXPLORE VACATIONS unlike, for example: ‘fair fuel policy full to full’ or ‘CDW waiver included’ etc is clearly visible when you are booking so that you can actually compare prices, I am leaving the Trust Pilot rating unchanged.
I am sure that EXPLORE VACATIONS will say that the border crossing fee was clearly visible but in my opinion, it wasn’t.

[Correction: This review should have been a review about Explore Vacations AG in Switzerland, not Explore Vacation and Travels (PvT) Ltd, Sri Lanka, Although these companies have the same CEO they have independent management and location].

in Zurich:
We rented a car for 3 days (value: CHF 180) and had to pay a deposit of CHF 1500. Despite returning the car without any damage, the deposit has not been refunded 50 days later. I have contacted the company multiple times via email, phone, receiving only standard replies stating I must wait 20 business days for the refund. I have also called and used WhatsApp to follow up, but without resolution. Considering the lack of response, I am now contemplating legal action. If you’re looking for a hassle-free and reliable service, I recommend choosing another company.'

Apologies, I received a very nice letter pointing out to me that I commented on the wrong company. Explore Vacation and Travels (PvT) Ltd may work to a better standard. My understanding is, however, that both companies are currently managed by the same CEO: Shermal Perera. I will look out for the right company to transfer the review.

Also intereting to know if you scroll down all bad reviews get the notification that this is the other Explore vacation company - but further down there is a positive one (clearly also car rental and not Sri Lanka Travel, but they happily embrace the positive review of the other company as their own...) - I have had another week of pointless conversations and no result to show for still waiting for 1500 CHF. Speechless.

The worst company I have ever worked with! They have withdrawn money from my credit card under false reasons like cross border or very high cost per gallon missing from the tang! Once faced with the issue, they refuse to answer the phone or simply block your number!Please be aware!

Deposited 1750 EUR. Car returned and received a certificate that there was no damage. Only got 1500 EUR back. No response to request. Report at police pending.

First bad experience renting a car.

After returning our rental car from a 2-day trip, Explore Vacations' employee noticed a small clear-coat blemish (< 3 cm). As we had an uneventful small drive, we were certain it had been there before.

The employee politely agreed that before concluding, we would email our video stills of the blemish already on the car at pickup. We did so the same day. Explore Vacations ignored our first and follow-up emails over the next week. We saw 500 CHF withheld from our bond without communication or noted repair costs.

In short: Explore Vacations pursued a disproved claim, took arbitrary bond, and purposefully avoided any communication on it - acting in bad faith, and bordering on theft.

We advise everyone to steer clear from this business.

@Explore Vacations: I would still welcome your response in writing. customer cf no. ECRCH/2024/03/122, CLAR, 15-17/03/2024.

please AVOID this rental company to have a great trip. Save yourself trouble and choose a reputable car rental company that values customers and operates transparently. I attempted to reach them to solve the unreasonable and unfair charges and it was pulling teeth to get a response. They charge you without reasons and no email was sent. Emails went unanswered for weeks. It is a disaster. Please find a reputable car rental company that is more professional (in airport). This is a big NO. Terrible.

we rented a car great service got luxury car. very clean, very good