Dollar - "RoadSafe" - latest rental car scam

I just encountered a new rental car scam renting from Dollar Rent a Car at the Dayton, OH airport.

They presented a "Roadsafe" $4.99/day optional charge on the bill in such a way that it looked like a tax or airport fee.

When I picked up the car, I was asked to initial several circles on the contract, indicating that I declined optional coverages, and that I accepted the rate. The "Roadsafe" fee was not listed under optional coverages - it was bundled in a single circle with the base rate and taxes. I did not notice the scam at that time, so I accepted the charge.

When I returned the car, I noticed the charge. When I complained, the manager agreed to remove the charge.

Caveat Emptor. I'd be good if some of the travel blogs publicized this so others are not scammed.

Here's the official description:
http://www.dollar.com/TravelCenter/TravelTools/RoadSafe.aspx

Not very classy at all to include this by default, and to do so in the "stealth" manner described.

Looks pretty slimey to me! This is one of the reasons I avoid Dollar.

Wow.

This is one of those services that the major car rental companies all used to include as part of their rates. Having it separated out is bad, especially when listed as one of the "fees" for the rental.

What? I have to pay extra to get THEIR dead battery jumped? :td: to Dollar.

Here's the official description:
http://www.dollar.com/TravelCenter/TravelTools/RoadSafe.aspx

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To provide you with great rates and services, Dollar.com utilizes advanced internet technology. Unfortunately Dollar.com does not support some older browsers.

Like, for example Iceweasel 3.0.1... :(

What? I have to pay extra to get THEIR dead battery jumped? :td: to Dollar.
Uh, if you leave the lights on?

What? I have to pay extra to get THEIR dead battery jumped? :td: to Dollar.

Please, please....

If the battery is dead and it is not your fault, then Dollar will pay for the jumping. If you leave lights on all night, well, then its your own fault and you pay.

Same goes for tires etc. Their fault, their expense. Your fault, your expense. Of course it gets kinky when it comes to disputes over whose fault a problem is, but that's not the essence here (although it's worth a discussion too).

S.

So what IS Roadsafe? I haven't seen a reference to it before.:confused:

So what IS Roadsafe? I haven't seen a reference to it before.:confused:
Basically a paid roadside assistance program. Covers the same stuff as the one you can buy through your cell phone carrier or whatever (except they cover towing to the nearest Dollar office, even if it's more than $50 (the usual limit for the cell phone contracted roadside assistance programs).

In other words, Dollar is charging $4.99/day for the same coverage you can get from AAA for less than 25 cents/day:mad: