Hertz - Monthly rental returned early = $3000 extra?

Hi everyone.

I have a montly rental (at a great rate of $360), I was supposed to return dec. 16 (this tues).
But my plans changed and I'm flying out sunday morning the 14th. I called hertz and surprise! by returning my car 2 days early, I miss out on the montly rate, and the whole thing goes up to over $3000!!!

Now, I understand how that happened, but there has to be a way around it! This is crazy...

Ideas?

Yeah, drop it off on the agreed date.

Yeah, drop it off on the agreed date.

Building on that idea, anybody you can add as a driver? Then they could just return it on the 16th. Might cost you a few extra dollars to pay an add'l driver fee but it's easier than the alternative. I would think they'd see that rate and just say "Oh, well we'll just pretend to close it on the 16th then."

If they are charging you more because you are returning the vehicle two days early then they are ripping you off on a technicality. I would try to get through to someone in customer service and see if they can correct this. If they cannot, I would "find" something wrong with the vehicle that makes the vehicle inoperable, leave the vehicle parked somewhere when you leave on your flight, then phone them two days later on the return date and tell them the vehicle broke down on your way back to the airport and you had to leave the vehicle roadside in order to catch your flight. As it is the rental company's fault that the vehicle was inoperable you should not be charged and in fact they ought to pay you your cab fare to the airport. Note that I would only consider such a dirty trick if they insisted on the much slimier trick of overcharging you $3000.00

If they are charging you more because you are returning the vehicle two days early then they are ripping you off on a technicality. I would try to get through to someone in customer service and see if they can correct this. If they cannot, I would "find" something wrong with the vehicle that makes the vehicle inoperable, leave the vehicle parked somewhere when you leave on your flight, then phone them two days later on the return date and tell them the vehicle broke down on your way back to the airport and you had to leave the vehicle roadside in order to catch your flight. As it is the rental company's fault that the vehicle was inoperable you should not be charged and in fact they ought to pay you your cab fare to the airport. Note that I would only consider such a dirty trick if they insisted on the much slimier trick of overcharging you $3000.00

The OP agreed to a monthly rental and got a specific rate for it - what's the problem with honoring your commitments?

The OP agreed to a monthly rental and got a specific rate for it - what's the problem with honoring your commitments?

Sometimes plans change, and it's good customer service to answer those changes in a reasonable manner.

For examples, airlines let you change a flight if you pay the difference in fare, and some somewhat reasonable fees. They even sometimes offer you a confirmed seat on an earlier flight for a fee (CO: $50). Etc, etc.

Had I been charged a fee, say, $100 for parking or whatever reason they can think of, I wouldn't have complained. But to tell me I have to shell out $3000 more because my plan changed and I have to return the car early, SOMETHING THEY CAN ALREADY MAKE MONEY OF, that's delirious. Yes, I agreed to a contract, and I'm bound by it, but we're talking common sense and good CS here.

In any case, trilinearmipmap, your plan is both evil and genious, I really enjoyed reading it.

Fortunately for me, I went to the HLE I had rented from, and the manager turned out to be much nicer and understanding than both the representative I'd had on the phone earlier and *runningshoes* ;)

He simply typed on his computer, and changed my return date (and even return location) for the same rate I had. Apparently local managers can do some things a phone rep can't. So the solution was much easier that I thought (or what trilinearmipmap came up with!).

All's well that ends well.

If they are charging you more because you are returning the vehicle two days early then they are ripping you off on a technicality.

There is no rip-off nor technicality. He booked for a month; if he returns in less than a month then it is calculated on weekly and/or daily base.

Dave

This is a great time to reach out to your fellow FlyerTalkers to see if someone in the area you rented your car is avaialable to give you a hand? Post where the car is - I am sure someone will be able to help you return it on its scheduled date.

There is no rip-off nor technicality. He booked for a month; if he returns in less than a month then it is calculated on weekly and/or daily base.

Dave

I see your point. So next time only finish half your plate at a restaurant you'll gladly pay $3000.00 since the price on the menu was for the whole meal and not half of it?

I see your point. So next time only finish half your plate at a restaurant you'll gladly pay $3000.00 since the price on the menu was for the whole meal and not half of it?

Yes, if you signed a contract and got a discount because of the contract. You admitted that you got a great deal. You are reneging your contract, so the rate got recalculated. Unfortunately it's much more than the original, but this is your doing.

I suggest that you should have a friend return the car.