Sixt
Read all reviews for Sixt →
Dishonest & Scamming. AVOID.
Terrible and traumatic experience from start to finish. Firstly, as many other drivers have experienced, we were told on arrival that our car wasn't available and we would need to pay an additional 1,000 EUR to get a car in the next category (despite hearing them concurrently offering the next client our very same vehicle). After almost 1 hour of negotiating we finally agreed to pay a minimal additional amount for the car we originally requested. We were tired and with young kids were desperate to be on our way. Since we were driving into the mountains we also requested a safe car with Snow chains or snow tires. They offered us snow chains as they had 'no cars available with snow wheels'. Fast forward 3 days and we are driving in the Dolomites when a snow storm came in. We pulled over to fit our snow chains except they wouldn't go on. After many attempts we called BMW (Sixt customer services rang through) and they explained that our car was NOT COMPATIBLE with snow chains. For our vehicle to be road safe it needed Snow Wheels, which it didn't have. We attempted to drive but we had no grip so our car was veering off the roads. We pulled over on a mountain side as safely as we could into an exposed layby. We then spent 3 hours trying to reach Sixt Roadside assistance. No one answered. With 2 very small children in the back we ended up calling the Police who sent the Fire Brigade to help us. We were safely towed to a parking lot after almost 4 hours of being stuck. It was an ordeal for us but for the children it was terrifying. We managed to get through to Sixt (by pleading with Sixt UK to help us) and they admitted responsibility and said we needed to leave the car, get a taxi to Venice and they'd give us a replacement. We did this and they said they would refund us in full when we gave the car back at the end of the 10 day rental. When I followed up for the refund they said 'We have spoken to the branch and they have said they gave you snow tires so we will not refund you'. I'm dumbfounded. This is after admitting liability and offering a refund. They also have the letter from the Fire Brigade and video footage. This company is a scam. They are a soulless, dishonest rental firm who put lives at risk with their arrogance and ineptitude. We will be pursuing all legal routes to recoup the costs of the car rental and will seek further compensation for trauma suffered. Please avoid at all costs.