Avis Budget Lost Item: How to recover your property quickly

This is a horrific process so I'm going to give you tips and tricks on how to get to people that can affect change and ultimately get your lost item to you.

Quick backstory. Left phone in rental car. I couldn't turn back to get it as my flight was leaving. Paid Next Day shipping, I'll have my phone on Day 9 of the incident.

I was contacted by the nice guy that cleaned the car, moments before my flight. He found my phone and told me to submit a lost and found ticket. SCREEN SHOOT YOUR TICKET SUBMISSION, SAVE THIS NUMBER! https://www.avislostandfound.com/brand/79a5bae17b21485c9ec96f19394b4841a4478b8c

Timeline of Events

• Day 1 (Thursday at 7am) Submitted Ticket
• Day 2-4 Nothing
• Day 5 I get an email "your item has been found" So I entered my shipping address, paid $65 for next day shipping. (2-5 days is $40 or something. Figured I would make sure it got here fast.) Called Customer Service, they were no help. Lost and Found hotline doesnt work.
• Day 6 Nothing, not shipping notice.
  • Started hunting LinkedIn for managers and higher positions. I messaged them all the way up to the CFO.
  • Called Customer Service and Lost and Found Again, tried different numbers and started searching for direct numbers on google. These direct branch numbers don't work either.
• Day 7 Called Customer Service again, still running into dead ends.
  • Finally got to Special Services. This group oversees Lost and Found. Call them directly at 800-962-1434.
    
  • Also started emailing everyone directly at [First.Last@AvisBudget.com](mailto:First.Last@AvisBudget.com) Supplied ticket number, rental agreement number and quick details, address and that I already paid.
    
• Day 8 Finally a manager messages back and puts me in touch with their Fleet Distribution Manager. This will be the person that helps. I got my tracking number finally, FedEx is showing it will arrive tomorrow.
• Day 9 Phone should arrive. It's in FedEx's hands now

Tips/How-To:

• Be nice, always.
• Immediately log your ticket, pay for next day. You wont get it but once Avis does their end, you'll want the next day service.
  
  • Screenshoot your ticket number and your selection of next day shipping. You'll need this 8 digit number along with your RA#.
  • Sometime the site will show your ticket doesn't exist. It does exist but the system sucks. Don't worry, it happens. it happens to the Avis employees too. Keep pressing on, it'll show up again, then it wont again. Screenshoot.
• Call Specialty Services at 800-962-1434. They're helpful, be nice. (Laura if you find this, you're the best and sooo nice! Thank you). Ask them to warm transfer you to the branch. This will likely not work but they can leave a message with the branch if you don't get through.
• Search LinkedIn by starting with the company (Avis Budget Group), then filtering for the branch location. Expand out from City, then to State, then to Country and keep collecting names and titles.
• Email the Manager at [First.Last@AvisBudget.com](mailto:First.Last@AvisBudget.com)
  • Email them with the opening line that they're the only ones that can help you and ask, can you help me. (It's a psychological thing, trust me on this approach)
  • Include all details, ticket number and RA#. Thank them and be nice.
  • Wait an hour or two then reply to your email and copy the next higher title you found on LinkedIn. Do this nicely until they contact you back or you reach the CEO. Then work your way back down the list but in another area. Make it apparent you're not going away.
    • Ranks as I perceived them: C-Suite > Territory Manager and Director of Operations > Agency Operator > Branch Manager > Fleet Distribution Manager
• Remember to be nice! They can always wait to ship one more day if you're a jerk. Save your tantrum for later (or never).
• Fight your next day payment once you receive your item. Remember, they have your money and your item. You have everything to lose until you get your item. Just wait.

I'm always on reddit so feel free to message with questions. I don't want anyone else to go through this again.