Search the Community

Had to rent a car for couple of days. Came out of it feeling like the car rental business is a bunch of con games. You start online. You search "car rentals" and you find a lot of offers for great rates. So you start by calling the company that has "budget" in its name. You aren't quoted anything remotely close to what they are touting online. You call a second company. Same thing. So you realize those are all just teasers, and you're going to be paying more than what you were hoping. But you don't give up. You tell the person on the phone--at a call center somewhere--you just need basic transportation, no frills. They quoted you anywhere from $160 to $220 for 2 days. The online teasers were for $36 to $40 for 2 days! You know they're just trying to upsell you, and the deals are surely available if you just keep asking. You say, "no, I mean BASIC, as in cheap, as in, just a little car with no frills." You tell them you have your own insurance, you want to pick it up and bring it back to same location. And, you have already said "I would like to return it about 9 or 10 p.m. the day i get back," so they told you their only location where you can do that is at the airport. But as you still complain that the rates are way higher than what you saw online, the rental person says, " well, you asked to get it from the airport location, it's always higher at the airport." Huh? Maybe that makes sense, but not renting cars very often, how would you know that? You reply, I'll figure out a way to be back by 6:00--closing time--at their other locations. Finally a little progress. You are quoted about $130, for a small car the agent says is available now at a downtown location. "Total price, including tax and whatever other fees you charge," you ask? Yes. "Ok, I'll take it. I'll be there in half an hour to pick it up. Your credit card and other info is taken, the reservation is made. You are assured that the computer shows the car is ready and waiting at that location. It gets better.