2. Welcome to Greece

After a pleasant overnight flight we arrived at Athens airport, collected our luggage and made our way (I limped) to the main concourse to find the car hire office. Surprised to find that it was actually open at 5.00 am (opening times can be somewhat arbitrary in Greece) we presented our internet booking voucher at the desk. The hire company rep gave it a quick look over and handed it back accompanied by "We don't accept vouchers from this company."
"Ah but." was my instant reply. "I phoned this very office yesterday to confirm that you have the booking and was told that everything was in order."
Gotcha!
"Ah yes." was the response. "We accept bookings from the company, and it is all in order, but we do not accept payment vouchers from them. If you want the car you will have to pay by cash or card, NOW!"
Touche! Or perhaps checkmate is a more appropriate word.
Faced with over 400 km to cover to reach our destination, we were forced to accept the situation and try to sort it out at a later date. Then the next hurdle presented itself. Our now somewhat sympathetic friend announced that the car was to be returned to Athens, not Parga as per our original booking.
"But I confirmed the one way booking in my phone call yesterday." I announced, firmly.
Gotcha this time!
"Ah yes, but the office in Parga is closed outside of the holiday season." Came the reply.
Touche again!
"However, if you can wait until 8.00am when the head office opens, I will call them to arrange for you to leave the car at the nearest open office to Parga."
Rapidly running out of the will to live and beginning to feel rather hungry we agreed, gave him our mobile number, and set off to find refreshment.
Less than an hour later, sat in a coffee bar with an acceptable sandwich and two cups of coffee inside us, the mobile rings and our sparring partner tells us we can have the car AND leave it in Parga. Hoo flaming rah!!
Five minutes later we are at the desk signing the forms, our driving licences are photocopied and I present my debit card to pay.
"Ah, this is not a credit card. We can only accept a credit card."
"No this is a debit card." I reply. " With this VISA backed debit card you get your money immediately, no waiting, no uncertainty, this is the same as cash!"
Some more verbal thrusts and parries ensue and, probably due to the fact that he has been there all night, our opponent finally concedes. He accepts the card and presents us with the keys and directions to the hire car parking lot. Twenty minutes later we exit the first petrol outside the airport with a full tank, join the impressive new motorway and set off for Parga, confident in the fact that things can only get better!
Can't they......................??????????????????