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France Car Rental - Issues with Sixt reservations - any other recommendations?

Hello Fellow Travelers,

We are leaving for Dodogne/Loire/Provence for two weeks shortly, and I've been having a very hard time dealing with Sixt car rentals. They rarely return emails, and ignore my requests for changes, even with repeated emails. In my experience, when things start off like this and a company displays this kind on non-responsive behaviour, it inevitably only gets worse.

Anyone else make some recommendations for car rentals in South France? We want to pick up in Tours.

Many Thanks!
-bruce

Posted by
5503 posts

I recommend looking at AutoEurope. They are a consolidator and the usually have lower prices than the other companies. You can call and talk to an agent if something comes up. They also match prices if another deal comes up. We dropped a car at Tours. The company was Europcar which we rented from AutoEurope. There also were a few other companies in Tours.

Posted by
19637 posts

I like Sixt, but unfortunately, you're dealing with a franchisee (in France to boot). Mr. Sixt is always preaching, "The Customer is always right!" Apparently, this attitude is not shared by many of his independent dealers.

There are plenty to choose from at St Pierre des Corps, where you arrive on the TGV from Paris.

Posted by
6777 posts

Hmmm... Email is not the preferred mode of communication with many French businesses, could you try to give them a call? Sixt are usually reputable, so if you got a good price I would think again before letting go and finding another rental company.

Posted by
11052 posts

I also was surprised that you communicated by email. Sixt is a reputable car rental agency. Using the word “sketchy” is unfair.
We always use AutoEurope.com. You never have to worry about your rental. They use a variety of companies including SIXT.

Posted by
5687 posts

I've used Sixt before in Slovenia and Croatia - not France - and they were fine. I too would call the branch you are dealing with instead of emailing them.

Posted by
337 posts

I've just booked with europcar, picking up in Nimes, drop Tours.,
Used them before but in Italy.
Though I haven'y had to make changes.

best of luck.

Posted by
9403 posts

We use AutoEurope as others have mentioned.

Posted by
5362 posts

Sixt is a major German car rental agency. We always use them as they are our preferred company. Your subject line is harsh.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank-you all for your replies. I did reach out by phone to Sixt using the main number as suggested by many, and while I did reach someone they indicated I would have to speak with someone directly at the Tours location, and suggested I email them. I explained I have tried several times, she said she would try emailing them herself. So we'll see - thanks everyone who replied and offered suggestions. It sounds like many people have had positive experiences with Sixt, so maybe this is just a unique situation.

Posted by
265 posts

Have used sixt for multiple European (and usa) rentals with no issues. Everything can be done pretty easily on the Sixt web site, probably the preferred contact method. I know calling the local counter (IF you can find a number) is a total waste of time in the US.

Autoeurope works well also.