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Budget Car Rentals - BEWARE Of Budget
Review by wdur3 on 2012-09-27
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FLORIDA -- After being involved in a traffic accident my insurance policy provided for a rental while my car was being accessed and repaired. I rented from Budget for a unspecified duration, being no one could tell me how long the process may take.
After 1 week I received a letter from budget demanding the car be returned or the vehicle would be reported stolen. wtf. After calling and spending quite some time on hold I was able to resolve a problem that should not have existed.
Here's the kicker, after returning the car with a 29 day rental I was charged at the agreed rate plus an additional $287. I contacted the local budget outlet where I rented and was assured it would be refunded. That was a waste of time so I got their supervisors name and number. I then spoke to 'Lewis' at the St. Pete airport office. His final statement to me before hanging up on me was, 'these are additional fee's and taxes permitted by law, if you have a problem with that call or write your congressman'
So....stay away from Budget or get the final total amount signed by a budget representative in advance of leaving with a vehicle.
My first suggestion has a much higher preference for readers.
After 1 week I received a letter from budget demanding the car be returned or the vehicle would be reported stolen. wtf. After calling and spending quite some time on hold I was able to resolve a problem that should not have existed.
Here's the kicker, after returning the car with a 29 day rental I was charged at the agreed rate plus an additional $287. I contacted the local budget outlet where I rented and was assured it would be refunded. That was a waste of time so I got their supervisors name and number. I then spoke to 'Lewis' at the St. Pete airport office. His final statement to me before hanging up on me was, 'these are additional fee's and taxes permitted by law, if you have a problem with that call or write your congressman'
So....stay away from Budget or get the final total amount signed by a budget representative in advance of leaving with a vehicle.
My first suggestion has a much higher preference for readers.
Comments:
Posted by trmn8r on 2012-09-27:
You couldn't get a total amount prior to renting, by your description.
What was the breakdown of the fees that amounted to $9.90 per day? The CSR's comment implies they aren't out of line.
What was the breakdown of the fees that amounted to $9.90 per day? The CSR's comment implies they aren't out of line.
Posted by CowboyFan on 2012-09-27:
Florida has a lot of transient population, so there is reasonable fear concerning their cars. Maybe your insurance company did not get back with them about you having coverage, ect. Who knows about why the letter after one week. It would have been best to rent for a set period with addtional time after that, since vehicles are usually cheaper by the week.
The $9.00 per day sounds like the tourist tax to me, plus there may be extra fees if you rent at an airport.
Also, cars cannot be rented longer than 30 days on one contract, because Florida law then treats that as a lease, just like you leased a vehicle for 3 years. Even if you use a rental car for a long time, you have to come in and sign a new agreement every 29 days.
The $9.00 per day sounds like the tourist tax to me, plus there may be extra fees if you rent at an airport.
Also, cars cannot be rented longer than 30 days on one contract, because Florida law then treats that as a lease, just like you leased a vehicle for 3 years. Even if you use a rental car for a long time, you have to come in and sign a new agreement every 29 days.
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