Thrifty - Flat tire -- charge?

I got a flat tire on my rental car this week. I changed it myself and drove it back to the depot. The attendant made me fill out damage incident paperwork and said I'd be called next week to discuss payment. I've only gotten a flat on a rental once before, and at that time the rental company didn't ask me to pay anything for it. Is charging customers the policy with Thrifty?

That happened to me a few weeks ago and so I called and they told me I would be charged for a new tire. I had literally had my car for less than 24 hours and driven it less than 10 miles. I was really pissed to say the least, as I am sure that the nail i found in it was likely in it when I picked it up.

I find it ridiculous that rental car companies can say the tires are your responsibility when you cant thoroughly examine the rental car for damage such as that prior to picking it up. Its not like A) you can even see the car throughly when picking it up at night, and B) you have a lift to raise the car on and examine all the tires.

That said, I did look at other companies policies and found them to be similar, so I dont think it is unique to Thrifty. I took mine to a Walmart down the street from the client I am currently on because I saw they had a tire shop and figured theyd be the cheapest option. They actually pulled the nail and plugged it for me for free (felt bad since it was a rental), and I never said anything to Thrifty about it after my initial conversation and was not charged.

Well, what if the engine breaks when in your possession...how about charging for that?

I would take the position that they failed to deliver a product in adequate condition. My only experience is with Avis, where a flat tire on a Death Valley unpaved road was not only replaced for free, but we were provided compensation in terms of a reduced rate for the inconvenience.

Tire policy has chaged across the board and is now your problem, unlike years past, although a blowout leaving the lot might be a good argument for their fault. The course of least expense and hassel might be just to have it fixed and never mention it if repairable.