Potos Car Hire - Beware!

[wasaloadie]

Just got back from a wonderful 2 weeks in Skala Prinos.

Went there last year and hired a Jeep from Potos Car hire in Skala Prinos, got a good deal. So I went back to them this year again got a good returning customer deal for a Jeep for 4 days.

Back in July a work colleague also went to Skala Prinos and I recommended that he use Potos which he did. The day after he handed his car back, he had Birgit from Potos at his hotel, demanding that he pay (30Euros I think) for damage that was not seen when he handed back the vehicle. Stupidly, he paid up without question or a receipt.

When I handed my jeep back, she checked the car and I kept a copy of the return for. I went back a day later to enquire about a further car hire. She accused me of damaging the jeep and that when she took the vehicle back, she had not noticed the damage. I had not damaged the jeep so I denied it and refused to pay for the damage. She then accused me of taking the jeep on a ferry (which I had not) and she said the captian of the ferry had taken my vehicle number. I told her to prove it (which she couldnt).

I think this may be a "scam" that she is trying on but does not realise that people talk to each other. I will be telling potos head office about this.

I did not take out another car on hire from her and will have second thoughts about hiring from her again in the future.

Looking at booking my holiday for next year already!

[Andrea P.]

please keep us informed about news, this sounds strange

[timandjill]

Had a similar experience with Birgit back in May, again as a returning customer was given a good deal, however the car was fairly old and had a few minor dents and scratches. Birgit didn't bother to mark any of them on the paperwork when hiring out and to be honest as they were all minor and l had never had any problems in the past with Potos i didn't really worry. When l returned the car she came out to inspect and started pointing out all the small marks, l made it quite clear they were all there before, l think she sensed my anger with her! She then looked at the paperwork and realised she had not filled the paperwork in correctly, (she foolishly tried to blame someone else for this, and questioned who had hired out the car to me - it was her!!!) She realised she didn't have a leg to stand on and gave me a lift back to our accomodation. Durring my lift back she disscused how hard it was to make a living on the island now, and how much prices had gone up.

I certainly won't make the mistake again of leaving her to check the car for damage when hiring out, l will personally mark down every mark on the car. Either that or use Speedy, who l have used in the past without any problems.

[suej]

we used Speedy last year and they bought the car to socrates and when they picked it up just left key in boot. We didnt have it checked like potos do and they were cheaper.
we were told leave key in boot we dont want to disturb you.
Brilliant service will use them again when we come back to Thassos.

[Louise K]

It's best to take photos of any damage on the car when you hire it with your digital camera. that way they cant accuse you of damage that is already there. you can then delete the photos when you get back home.

[Don+Pat]

I have used Potos for the last five years, collecting cars from Thessaloniki Airport, without problems.

This may be a problem with one person. Report the circumstances to Potos Head Office.

[David D]

Hi
I agree with Dan&Pat, we have been having cars with Potos for a long time from Thessalonki, with a great service, This sounds to me like it is just one person now giving Potas a bad name, this should be reported

[wasaloadie]

It has been reported to head office, I'm awaiting a reply. I agree it seems to be one particular person who is the problem.

[NIKNAK32]

I have a feeling this person may have been at the Golden Beach branch last year (I may be wrong). Took about 1/2 hr just to book car for an additional day.
Having said that we have been using Potos for the past 6 years and have not had any problems.

[wasaloadie]

She was at Skala Prinos last year.

If anyone else has had a problem with her then the main office have asked me to ask you to email them so they can make a case.

[ciara]

We've also used Potos for years but had a really bad experience with Birgit a few years ago. Prinos is much closer to us but we only deal with the office in Limenas because of one certain person. Maybe we will be able to use the Prinos office soon.....?

[Gardenia]

I would personally take photo's with my phone before and after hiring, then there can be no doubt of the condition when hiring.

[vmixture]

I agree Birgit can be a bit odd at times to say the least! But in saying that we have used her for our hire cars for the last 6 years and have never had a problem, in fact she always sorts us out with a great deal.

Just make sure you check the vehicle thoroughly before you drive away, it might take an extra 5 minutes but it can save you a massive headache when you return it, tempting as it may be to jump in and head off to Paradise beach or wherever! You would do this in the UK I'm sure.

The idea of taking photos is a top suggestion. Just make sure you also get something in the picture that shows when the picture was taken, a photo of the dent on its own proves nothing!

[Gardenia]

I agree Birgit can be a bit odd at times to say the least! But in saying that we have used her for our hire cars for the last 6 years and have never had a problem, in fact she always sorts us out with a great deal.

Just make sure you check the vehicle thoroughly before you drive away, it might take an extra 5 minutes but it can save you a massive headache when you return it, tempting as it may be to jump in and head off to Paradise beach or wherever! You would do this in the UK I'm sure.

The idea of taking photos is a top suggestion. Just make sure you also get something in the picture that shows when the picture was taken, a photo of the dent on its own proves nothing!

On camera and phone when taking the picture, it records the time and date on digital. You could also photo the The reg number, full car view, rear back, side and photo the date of terms and conditions signed.Better still a video.

[vmixture]

I agree Birgit can be a bit odd at times to say the least! But in saying that we have used her for our hire cars for the last 6 years and have never had a problem, in fact she always sorts us out with a great deal.

Just make sure you check the vehicle thoroughly before you drive away, it might take an extra 5 minutes but it can save you a massive headache when you return it, tempting as it may be to jump in and head off to Paradise beach or wherever! You would do this in the UK I'm sure.

The idea of taking photos is a top suggestion. Just make sure you also get something in the picture that shows when the picture was taken, a photo of the dent on its own proves nothing!

On camera and phone when taking the picture, it records the time and date on digital. You could also photo the The reg number, full car view, rear back, side and photo the date of terms and conditions signed.Better still a video.

Agreed,a video is even better. Carefull about using the date/time on digital devices, it proves nothing as you can set the date to whenever you want and then take the photo, it will record the 'false' date. If taking photos maybe the best thing to do would be to try and get the car hire rep in the photo as well!