Hertz Car Rental

- 213 Evansville Ave, Meriden, CT 06451

For residents across Connecticut, having dependable transportation is often paramount, whether it's for daily commutes, weekend excursions to our beautiful state parks, or simply getting around while your primary vehicle is undergoing service. Car rental services fill a vital role in ensuring mobility. Hertz Car Rental, a globally recognized brand, has a presence in Meriden, CT, serving the central Connecticut community. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of the Hertz Car Rental location on Evansville Ave, offering insights specifically tailored for local users in Connecticut. We'll delve into its accessibility, the range of services offered, and, crucially, what past customer experiences indicate about renting from this particular branch.

Hertz generally strives to provide a premium rental experience with a diverse fleet. However, the performance and customer service at individual branches can vary significantly. For locals in Connecticut considering this Meriden location, understanding these nuances is essential to setting realistic expectations and ensuring a smooth rental process. This guide will help you navigate your choices and be prepared for your next car rental.

The Hertz Car Rental branch in Meriden, CT, is located at:

213 Evansville Ave, Meriden, CT 06451, USA

This address places the Hertz office conveniently within Meriden, a central city in Connecticut. Its location on Evansville Avenue makes it relatively accessible for residents not only in Meriden but also from neighboring towns like Wallingford, Cheshire, Middletown, and Southington. Being a "home city" location (as opposed to an airport branch), it is typically designed to cater to the everyday rental needs of local residents, making it a practical choice for those whose personal vehicles are unavailable or who require extra transportation without traveling to a major airport.

The branch typically operates during standard business hours, generally from Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, usually closed on Sundays. It is always advisable to confirm these current operating hours directly with the branch, especially around holidays or for specific pickup/drop-off arrangements. For renters planning after-hours returns, it is critical to verify the specific procedures, as strict adherence to return times and methods is often enforced, as suggested by customer feedback.

Hertz Car Rental in Meriden, CT, generally offers a range of services common to major car rental agencies, designed to meet various transportation needs:

• Diverse Vehicle Categories: Hertz typically provides a wide selection of vehicles. This often includes fuel-efficient economy and compact cars (like a Chevrolet Spark or Kia Niro), comfortable intermediate and standard sedans (such as a Chevrolet Malibu), spacious full-size sedans, and a variety of SUVs (e.g., Chevrolet Equinox, Nissan Rogue), minivans, and potentially specialty vehicles depending on availability at this specific location. This diversity aims to ensure customers can find a car that matches their specific travel requirements, whether for a quick city trip or a longer journey.

• Flexible Rental Durations: Customers can rent vehicles for various periods, including daily, weekly, and longer-term monthly rental options. This flexibility caters to short-term needs, extended visits, or temporary vehicle replacements.

• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program: For frequent renters, the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program offers benefits such as expedited service, allowing members to potentially bypass the counter at select locations and earn points toward free rental days and upgrades. This can streamline the rental process for regular users.

• Optional Coverage and Accessories: Renters have access to various optional protection plans, including Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and Supplemental Liability Insurance (LIS), to provide peace of mind. Additional equipment such as GPS navigation systems and child safety seats (infant, toddler, and booster) are also typically available for an additional fee.

• Fuel Service Options: Hertz offers different fuel options, allowing customers to choose between prepaying for a full tank (Fuel Service Option), refueling the vehicle themselves before return, or having Hertz refuel it (for a charge that may include a service fee and a higher per-gallon rate).

When considering Hertz Car Rental in Meriden, CT, it's vital to examine the specific customer feedback provided, as it reveals critical insights into the branch's operations.

• Convenient Local Access: As a neighborhood location, its primary highlight is convenience for local residents in Meriden and surrounding towns. It offers an alternative to airport rentals, which can often be more expensive and less accessible for those not flying. The ability to rent a car close to home is a significant draw.

• Strict Adherence to Return Times (Critical Concern): A major highlight from customer reviews points to a very rigid policy regarding return times. One customer reported being "charged for a full day along with a $12 late fee" for returning a car "15 minutes late," even after attempting to call due to "torrential rain and accidents." This indicates a strict, unforgiving approach to late returns, regardless of external circumstances, which can be a significant point of frustration and unexpected cost for renters.

• Lack of Communication/Responsiveness: Related to the late return issue, the customer also noted, "I called several times- No one picked up- to tell them that I would be late." This highlights a potential severe deficiency in communication channels, making it difficult for customers to inform the branch of unforeseen delays or issues, leading to punitive charges.

• Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Issues (Major Concern): Another critical issue raised is related to vehicle condition and safety. A customer reported receiving a car that was "overheating" shortly after rental. This is a severe safety concern and indicates a potential lapse in crucial vehicle maintenance checks before a car is rented out.

• Unresolved Issues and Poor Handling of Complaints: The customer with the overheating car stated they "couldn’t bring it back because they were closed," and when they returned it the next day, "they charged me and won’t give me my money back even though I have proof of calling the customer service line and over hertz in other cities." This points to a significant problem with the branch's willingness to address and rectify issues stemming from vehicle malfunction, and a lack of empathy in customer handling, leading to financial loss for the renter.

• Overall Negative Customer Experience: The reviews collectively paint a picture of highly dissatisfied customers who feel "ripped off" and mistreated, using phrases like "Terrible practices stay away from this company" and "never again! It wasn’t even about the money it was how I was handled at this exact location." This strongly suggests that the Meriden branch may have systemic issues with customer service, fairness, and problem resolution.

For direct contact with the Hertz Car Rental branch in Meriden, CT:

Address: 213 Evansville Ave, Meriden, CT 06451, USA

Phone: (201) 379-5004

Mobile Phone: +1 201-379-5004

For Connecticut residents in the Meriden area, Hertz Car Rental on Evansville Ave offers the undeniable convenience of a local "home city" branch. Its location makes it easily accessible for quick pickups and returns without the travel to a major airport, serving daily needs such as temporary vehicle replacement or local excursions. The potential for a wide range of vehicle types, typical of a global brand like Hertz, means that locals could theoretically find a car suitable for various purposes.

However, based on the provided customer feedback, locals considering this Hertz location in Meriden must approach with significant caution. The reported issues regarding strict and uncommunicative policies on late returns, combined with alarming accounts of vehicle overheating and subsequent refusal to provide refunds or fair resolution, paint a concerning picture. These experiences suggest a potential disconnect between the global brand's expected standards and the actual customer service and vehicle maintenance practices at this specific branch.

Therefore, while the physical location might be convenient, local Connecticut users are strongly advised to meticulously document all aspects of their rental: take time-stamped photos of the vehicle's condition (inside and out) and the odometer/fuel gauge at both pickup and drop-off, understand the exact return time policy, and confirm any communication attempts in writing. Given the reported difficulties in dispute resolution, renters should be prepared to be highly proactive in protecting their interests if they choose to rent from this particular location. It is crucial to weigh the convenience against the potential for significant frustration and unexpected charges, as customer experiences suggest this branch may not consistently deliver the reliable and customer-friendly service expected from a reputable car rental company.

Hertz Car Rental

213 Evansville Ave, Meriden, CT 06451, USA