Ex-employees reveal ripoffs at Budget Rent a Car

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Ex-employees reveal ripoffs at Budget Rent a Car
Topic Started: Nov 20 2012, 01:36 AM (264 Views)
Darcie	Nov 20 2012, 01:36 AM Post #1
Skeptic Posts: 31,154 Group: Member Member #714 Joined: March 30, 2010	Three former Budget Rent a Car employees have contacted Go Public to allege the Vancouver-area operation systematically and intentionally rips off customers, by grossly overcharging for minor repairs that sometimes aren’t even done. “They did it on purpose — charging the customer like way too much,” said a former lot attendant, who worked at Budget’s Vancouver airport location for a year, checking cars for damage. He agreed to speak to CBC News only if he was not identified. "The system is run like that ... the small charges, they make them big charges. Especially the windshield. They can make more money from the windshield," he said http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/11/16/bc-budgetinsiders.html I always take my camera when I rent a car. Before I get into the vehicle I take my camera out in front of the renter and procede to take pictures and list every little scratch and dent in a small book I carry. I then have then sign it. If they won't I make a big kerfuffle, works every time. I do this because a scam was tried on me once, and it took up a lot of my time and a lawyer to clean it up. I had to rent cars often when I worked. Has anyone else had this type of experience?



Dana	Nov 20 2012, 05:04 AM Post #2
WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire Posts: 13,054 Group: Member Member #830 Joined: March 23, 2011	Good to know if you don't own but do rent a car occasionally. Not at Budget!



Durgan	Nov 20 2012, 06:20 AM Post #3
Veteran Member Posts: 13,273 Group: Gardening Guru Member #720 Joined: March 31, 2010	Car rental use to be a straightforward transaction. I rented about 100 cars a year or more for 30 years and encountered no problems. Hertz, Budget, Avis, National. Smaller independent companies were avoided, since they often acted in a silly manner like being irritating over gas or inspecting for normal wear and tear. I am surprised about Budget acting so stupidly. They use to be an honourable company. Eventually I settled on National and Avis. They may be the same company now. Business is so good for rental companies that they need not compete now, so all tend to have the same rules and little attempt is necessary to attract customers. Sort of honour amongst thieves.



Delphi51	Nov 20 2012, 06:42 AM Post #4
Member title Posts: 13,967 Group: Administration Member #441 Joined: October 10, 2006	I have only rented about 20 times, usually from Enterprise. No problems. Had a small difficulty with Avis once. We rented a car for two weeks and of course it got a little dirty inside. I was asked to pay $75 for cleaning. I asked to borrow the vacuum cleaner and was refused. I then said I would take it down the street to a carwash and clean it. The manager was called and the cleaning charge dropped. That same time I told the guy I had got a tire puncture repaired. He got very serious and demanded to know how far I had driven on it. He meant while it was flat but I misunderstood and I said about 1500 km. That stopped him cold. Then I explained that it never went flat. The car had Quebec plates and the tire got screwed at a motel in eastern Nova Scotia. DD heard it clicking before we drove a block. There was a tire repair place across the street from the motel. Had a nice chat with the guys there and told them we were from Alberta. I was charged $6 forpane repair. I usually buy donuts when something that good happens at a garage but there was no donut shop in the village and I never thought of finding a grocery. I'm still wondering just what happened there. I know Quebec license plates can be a hazard in Ontario. Edited by Delphi51, Nov 20 2012, 06:55 AM.



goldengal	Nov 20 2012, 07:26 AM Post #5
Mistress, House of Dogs Posts: 11,674 Group: Member Member #715 Joined: March 31, 2010	While I have never rented a car, I have been with my daughter many, many times when she rented a car in various countries; mostly from National. Always the attendant goes around the vehicle before we take it out, and if there is any ding, mark or whatever they make a note of it. Take care, Pat



Darcie	Nov 20 2012, 08:23 AM Post #6
Skeptic Posts: 31,154 Group: Member Member #714 Joined: March 30, 2010	Delphi - I know Quebec license plates can be a hazard in Ontario. I drive in Ontario with Quebec plates, legally, no problems in 3-1/2 years. What hazard are you talking about Delphi?



Delphi51	Nov 20 2012, 10:40 AM Post #7
Member title Posts: 13,967 Group: Administration Member #441 Joined: October 10, 2006	In the 1960s my mother and I visited her cousin in eastern Ontario. We all went to some big event. When we got back to the car, the neighbouring cars with Quebec plates had their fan belts cut. I have heard of some more recent situations but can't remember the details. I am sure it is fairly rare - our son from Montreal often visits Ontario and hasn't had any trouble. I don't see how you can keep Quebec plates legally after living on Ontario for more than 6 months. If you just haven't reported it, there could be insurance implications. Edited by Delphi51, Nov 20 2012, 10:42 AM.



goldengal	Nov 20 2012, 12:55 PM Post #8
Mistress, House of Dogs Posts: 11,674 Group: Member Member #715 Joined: March 31, 2010	I agree Delphi ..... Are you saying Darcie that you have not been residing in Ontario all this time? Hmmm ... gotta be careful what we say. Take care, Pat



Darcie	Nov 20 2012, 01:00 PM Post #9
Skeptic Posts: 31,154 Group: Member Member #714 Joined: March 30, 2010	Delphi51 Nov 20 2012, 10:40 AM In the 1960s my mother and I visited her cousin in eastern Ontario. We all went to some big event. When we got back to the car, the neighbouring cars with Quebec plates had their fan belts cut. I have heard of some more recent situations but can't remember the details. I am sure it is fairly rare - our son from Montreal often visits Ontario and hasn't had any trouble. I don't see how you can keep Quebec plates legally after living on Ontario for more than 6 months. If you just haven't reported it, there could be insurance implications. I have talked to the police, to the motor vehicles branch and to the insurance companies, I am insured for Ontario and for Quebec, and I have two residences. They all say that this is fine, so long as I have a residence in the province I bought the car in it is legal. What is important is that I have an Ontario driving licence, which I do. They said many people have two residences and so long as they can write to you at the address on your registration and so long as you are covered for Ontario driving you are fine. I do travel back and forth between both residences.



friendshipgal	Nov 20 2012, 01:06 PM Post #10
Guess everyone wants their own Trudashians Posts: 12,815 Group: Member Member #241 Joined: February 12, 2006	Darcie Nov 20 2012, 08:23 AM Delphi - I know Quebec license plates can be a hazard in Ontario. I drive in Ontario with Quebec plates, legally, no problems in 3-1/2 years. What hazard are you talking about Delphi? How do you renew your plates in Ontario and get insurance. In order to insure a vehicle in Ontario, it must be registered and plated in Ontario. Posted this before your reply. Edited by friendshipgal, Nov 20 2012, 01:07 PM.



Darcie	Nov 20 2012, 01:15 PM Post #11
Skeptic Posts: 31,154 Group: Member Member #714 Joined: March 30, 2010	I go to my insurance company office in London and pick up the pink slip that has been authorized for them to print by their office in Montreal. I am totally out of understanding this and I have no interest in doing so. It's their job, not mine, and so long as I am legal and follow what I am told I am happy.



Delphi51	Nov 20 2012, 01:30 PM Post #12
Member title Posts: 13,967 Group: Administration Member #441 Joined: October 10, 2006	That is really good to know. Probably only useful for people with two residences, but perhaps a student going to university in another province could make use of it and avoid some costs.



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