Thrifty - thrifty will rip you off!

Don't rent from Thrify or Dollar! They'll be deceitful and misleading when explaining the insurance coverage so that you buy it when you don't want it. They'll say something like: Do you want just the basic? When they should say: would you like OPTION or EXTRA coverage? My $166 weekly rental jumped to $440 when all was said and done for one week.

I'll never rent from these .......s again.

I can just imagine the scene at the Thrifty return counter:

OP: "WTH is this extra charge? This is robbery!"
Thrifty Employee: "That's our optional coverage, which you elected to take on this rental. It was explained to you when you rented"
OP: "I don't remember anything about it being optional, you're a lying thief! I'm never going to rent from you again and I'm going to post this story on every message board on the internet to make sure no one else is swindled by you either!"

And thus, this tale of the OP's ignorance of one of the most widely known facts of the rental car industry--the rental company's optional coverages are just that, optional--came to be posted on one of the world's leading frequent traveller sites, where all members are already well aware of their right to decline all additional coverages and know that it's the renter's responsibility to review the estimate of their charges before leaving the rental office.

I can just imagine the scene at the Thrifty return counter:

OP: "WTH is this extra charge? This is robbery!"
Thrifty Employee: "That's our optional coverage, which you elected to take on this rental. It was explained to you when you rented"
OP: "I don't remember anything about it being optional, you're a lying thief! I'm never going to rent from you again and I'm going to post this story on every message board on the internet to make sure no one else is swindled by you either!"

And thus, this tale of the OP's ignorance of one of the most widely known facts of the rental car industry--the rental company's optional coverages are just that, optional--came to be posted on one of the world's leading frequent traveller sites, where all members are already well aware of their right to decline all additional coverages and know that it's the renter's responsibility to review the estimate of their charges before leaving the rental office.

I can't imagine any rental car agents flat out lie about the optional coverage being "mandatory." I figure the agent was probably a very good saleman(woman) and made it sound like it would be a very bad decision not to get the optional coverage.

LAX

Don't rent from Thrify or Dollar! They'll be deceitful and misleading when explaining the insurance coverage so that you buy it when you don't want it. They'll say something like: Do you want just the basic? When they should say: would you like OPTION or EXTRA coverage? My $166 weekly rental jumped to $440 when all was said and done for one week.

I'll never rent from these .......s again.

They do not "force you" to take anything. Of course they offer and want you to take coverage but it is optional. In addition cost of coverage is listed on their website. This doesnt apply just to Thirfty but all the major companies. It is clearly on their website what "add on's" are available.

Has the OP ever rented a car before? :confused: The coverage decision is a standard part of the transaction. If you're mad at yourself for accepting expensive optional cover, that doesn't make Thrifty a criminal enterprise. It makes them good at upselling to the underinformed.

I don't think the pp have ever rented from Thrifty. Like most of us I always decline the optional coverage. Any other agency a simple no thank you is sufficient. Occasionally a representative will "hard sell" the benefits of getting coverage for "loss of use" but a no results in a contract without any extras.

I read about the Trifty "scam" prior to my rental and I read the entire contract. Thrifty is different. As soon as you say NO to optional coverage the representative says something like no problem, you just want the basic coverage. Most people would interpret that as agreeing to the coverage that's included in the rental price but Thrifty interprets your answer as requesting a lower level of optional coverage. Not every customer takes the time to read the fine print, although you should always read what you sign.

I want to thank the OP for the information. AFAIK Thrifty is the only agency where a NO answer from the customer is deceptively treated as a yes.

I doubt the previous posters ever heard this pitch. The presentation is deceptive and dishonest. Basically Thrifty is intentionally signing up a customer for something they said no to and is counting that a number of customers won't take the time to read the contract.

After I said no to everything I noted the gas guage read 7/8. When I complained I was told that's the way the guage reads when it was full. It read over F when I filled the tank, I took the time to wait in line and get a credit. I suspect most renters wouldn't take the time.

Nobody usually gives gas credit. I once received a TrailBlazer from my nearby Budget neighborhood office that was 1/2 full. I evidently misjudged the fuel economy and put in too much gas during my trip, because at return the gauge said 3/4 full. The agent said there is no refund for unused gas.

Nobody usually gives gas credit. I once received a TrailBlazer from my nearby Budget neighborhood office that was 1/2 full. I evidently misjudged the fuel economy and put in too much gas during my trip, because at return the gauge said 3/4 full. The agent said there is no refund for unused gas.

The gauge read 7/8 full when I picked up the car. I was told the tank was full and the that's what the gauge shows with a full tank. I made them put the 7/8 on the rental agreement. Alternately I was going to make them top off the tank.

No surprise when I gassed up and the gauge showed F. I didn't get a credit for unused gas, I got the credit because I wasn't given the full tank they claimed when I rented the car.

This was after I didn't fall for the "basic coverage" scam.

I want to thank the OP for the information. AFAIK Thrifty is the only agency where a NO answer from the customer is deceptively treated as a yes.



Just curious which Thrifty location you guys are renting from. I've rented from Thrifty many times in several cities and have never run into any headaches regarding the insurance.

G'day PRPerson,

Welcome to FT. - Sorry about the "blame the poster" culture you encountered so far.

Yeah - the agents know how to word their sales pitch to make it sound like you are declining the coverage when you pick "basic" when in fact your denial of the two choices given is in effect aceptance of optional coverage called "basic". It is slick and it is a rip off and I have seen it done many times to uninformed travelers.

It is a common marketing technique that is found where your two upsells are presented as if you must choose one of them. Mcdonalds advertises value meals for $4.99 and the lady will say something like "would you like medium or large fries and drinks?" Choosing one of the two will increase the price. If you want the $4.99 price, you need to say - no thanks, I will just have the small fries and small drink. A choice not presented to you. In effect a scam of ommision by presenting only 2 of the 3 possible choices.

Cheers, David

My customary practice is to say, as I'm laying my credit card & DL on the counter, 'No ins & I'll fill it myself'. I find this expedites things quite nicely since the agent knows not to even bother w/any of the upselling BS-just give me the keys & we'll both move on.

My experience was with the Las Vegas location but based on internet posts the scam isn't limited to that location.

The OP is providing useful information, it's a shame some people see the need to attack him. Sorry but a NO answer shouldn't result in optional insurance being added to the contract, with the hope the customer won't notice the deception until he returns the car. Dave--It's not a matter of being given two choices the agent is trained to "correct" the customer who says no insurance by adding on "basic" insurance and hope the customer doesn't read the contract.

My favorite pitch, I was renting from Alamo pickup TPA return at MCO. After I said no all the insurance they tried the gas plan. They told me there were no gas stations in Orlando. I laughed and asked what all the poor people in Orlando do when they run out of gas. She then said she meant there aren't any gas stations anywhere near the airport. I said I'd take my chances. Surprise--I found gas stations.

Thanks for the 'heads-up' everyone about deceitful Thrifty tactics. But so far no info on exactly what it is you need to do to avoid any and all insurance charges.

If denying the two choices is acceptance and accepting either of the two choices is acceptance, then how do you avoid the insurance charges?

Thanks for the 'heads-up' everyone about deceitful Thrifty tactics. But so far no info on exactly what it is you need to do to avoid any and all insurance charges.

If denying the two choices is acceptance and accepting either of the two choices is acceptance, then how do you avoid the insurance charges?

See post #11 above.

Since I only rent for business purposes, I get the Thrify insurance. The $440/wk the OP paid is pretty good. Mine is usually $100/day with the full insurance. I have also had to use the insurance 3 of the last 4 times I rented. If you accidentally hit something or something hits you...no worries. you're covered. Also, the previous rent, they "found" damage on the car that wasn't there at pick up. It was sketchy at best, but i was covered and didn't care. Insurance has its perks when it doesn't come from the Bank of Doakes.

Since I only rent for business purposes, I get the Thrify insurance. The $440/wk the OP paid is pretty good. Mine is usually $100/day with the full insurance. I have also had to use the insurance 3 of the last 4 times I rented. If you accidentally hit something or something hits you...no worries. you're covered. Also, the previous rent, they "found" damage on the car that wasn't there at pick up. It was sketchy at best, but i was covered and didn't care. Insurance has its perks when it doesn't come from the Bank of Doakes.

3 out of 4 - wow! Has your boss suggested a taxi to you lately? Be careful or I hope your luck changes.

Also, the previous rent, they "found" damage on the car that wasn't there at pick up. It was sketchy at best, but i was covered and didn't care. Insurance has its perks when it doesn't come from the Bank of Doakes.

Had this happen at Thrifty in Denver. Guy said upon return that I took a stone chip on the windshielf, when in fact, I didn't - it was in a place that would have made me flinch if it had actually happened to me. I wrote on the "damage claim" paper that I DID NOT CAUSE THIS, AND I WILL NOT HAVE MY INSURANCE PROCESS IT. Have heard nothing since - and that was February.

A little tip, since most of us use cellphones: I do a walk-around when renting from Thrifty, and make sure all scratches and dents are recorded via photos (I also set my phone to date/time stamp the pic) in addition to the paperwork marks of where dents are. That way, I've got solid proof.

Didn't help me in St. Louis last week - I did all of that, signed the papers...only to find when I got 10 miles down the road that the gas guage was just under 3/4 when the paperwork said FULL. Considered taking a photo of that, but I just chalked it up to another learning experience instead.

Watch it with Thrifty!

Yeah - Thrifty MIA got me for a missing gas cap. When I went to the first gas station to fill it up before my return, the vehicle did not have a cap. Thrift dinged me $100 for that one.

Forgot about the one last year - rented a convertible at LAX. Took it off the lot, my buddy and I never took the top down (cold and rainy), and when we returned about 5 days later, the guy at check-in says "Where is the part that keeps the top down?" We looked at each other with the same expression, W T F?

He was adamant that we lost a part. We told him we never used the convertible. I asked him to tell us what the part was. He didn't reply, and instead worked up a loss sheet and asked me to sign. I said no way, let me talk to the Blue Chip desk. Which I did, they spoke with the manager, and he let us go with no further problems.

I suspected a scam. Still do - - won't rent from Thrifty at LAX ever again.

Thanks txrus -- But my question pertained to signing the contract. Because written contracts always trump verbal contracts, simply verbally stating that you don't want the insurance won't carry much weight when your signed contract states otherwise. In a disupte you would have no recourse.

So back to my original question regarding the signing of the contract: If denying the two choices is acceptance and accepting either of the two choices is acceptance, then how do you avoid the insurance charges when you go to sign the contract?

"Full insurance, right?"

No, my credit card covers it.

"So just want basic insurance?"

I have my own insurance. My credit card covers it.

Thanks txrus -- But my question pertained to signing the contract. Because written contracts always trump verbal contracts, simply verbally stating that you don't want the insurance won't carry much weight when your signed contract states otherwise. In a disupte you would have no recourse.

So back to my original question regarding the signing of the contract: If denying the two choices is acceptance and accepting either of the two choices is acceptance, then how do you avoid the insurance charges when you go to sign the contract?

The two choices are verbal. If you don't want any "optional" coverages makes sure you initial every NO answer. Make them re-print the contract until the price on the contract matches the price on your confirmation.

Thanks txrus -- But my question pertained to signing the contract. Because written contracts always trump verbal contracts, simply verbally stating that you don't want the insurance won't carry much weight when your signed contract states otherwise. In a disupte you would have no recourse.

So back to my original question regarding the signing of the contract: If denying the two choices is acceptance and accepting either of the two choices is acceptance, then how do you avoid the insurance charges when you go to sign the contract?

If you start the conversation with 'No ins', then you shouldn't be presented w/a contract that includes it. If you are, don't sign it & keep repeating 'no ins' until the agent gives you one that doesn't include the ins coverage.

I can't imagine any rental car agents flat out lie about the optional coverage being "mandatory." I figure the agent was probably a very good saleman(woman) and made it sound like it would be a very bad decision not to get the optional coverage.

LAX

I've had Enterprise lie to me and say it's mandatory, by suggesting that if I did not take it they were "not sure" I could rent the car.

I've had Enterprise lie to me and say it's mandatory, by suggesting that if I did not take it they were "not sure" I could rent the car.

I remember being told by an agent @ LAX (hmmm...there seems to be a pattern here!) a few years ago that there was a 'new law' in CA that allowed them to bill the renter for any rental time lost if the car was being repaired because of damage the renter caused & that the credit card coverage most of us relied on (or our own car ins policies) wouldn't cover that. This, therefore, was the reason to take the offered ins-because it would cover this 'loss of use' claim.

I don't know how much truth there was to that or whether it's even still in effect, but that's the story I got one time FWIW.

I remember being told by an agent @ LAX (hmmm...there seems to be a pattern here!) a few years ago that there was a 'new law' in CA that allowed them to bill the renter for any rental time lost if the car was being repaired because of damage the renter caused & that the credit card coverage most of us relied on (or our own car ins policies) wouldn't cover that. This, therefore, was the reason to take the offered ins-because it would cover this 'loss of use' claim.

I don't know how much truth there was to that or whether it's even still in effect, but that's the story I got one time FWIW.

Some of the credit card coverage doesn't include "loss of use" coverage. Some companies won't cover "loss of use" unless the rental agency provides a fleet utilization log showing there was an actual loss. There isn't a loss if there are plenty of unrented cars sitting on the lot. Some agencies consider that information to be a "trade secret". The fine print in some rental agreements give them the right to charge for loss of use without documenting an actual loss by furnishing logs.

JMO but most of us come out ahead even if we wind up self insuring loss of use.

I don't think the pp have ever rented from Thrifty. Like most of us I always decline the optional coverage. Any other agency a simple no thank you is sufficient. Occasionally a representative will "hard sell" the benefits of getting coverage for "loss of use" but a no results in a contract without any extras.

I read about the Trifty "scam" prior to my rental and I read the entire contract. Thrifty is different. As soon as you say NO to optional coverage the representative says something like no problem, you just want the basic coverage. Most people would interpret that as agreeing to the coverage that's included in the rental price but Thrifty interprets your answer as requesting a lower level of optional coverage. Not every customer takes the time to read the fine print, although you should always read what you sign.

I want to thank the OP for the information. AFAIK Thrifty is the only agency where a NO answer from the customer is deceptively treated as a yes.

I doubt the previous posters ever heard this pitch. The presentation is deceptive and dishonest. Basically Thrifty is intentionally signing up a customer for something they said no to and is counting that a number of customers won't take the time to read the contract.

After I said no to everything I noted the gas guage read 7/8. When I complained I was told that's the way the guage reads when it was full. It read over F when I filled the tank, I took the time to wait in line and get a credit. I suspect most renters wouldn't take the time.

In renting with Thrifty around the country, I have NEVER heard this pitch. Some agents are completely lackadaisical: "Do you want any insurance?" "No." "OK." End of story. Others are highly trained in the art of relationship-based sales (getting to know the customer and then recommending options to them). But never have I heard anything close to deceit. There are a few rogue franchises out there with greedy owners who push this stuff (I've seen it at all manner of rental companies, and actually, haven't ever seen it at a Thrifty), but actually, all of the large corporate Thrifty locations I've ever rented from have all trended towards the lackadaisical side.

And as far as gas: I've filled up tons of rental cars myself and have seen the needle stay below the F. It wasn't a scam: the guy probably just assumed it was one of the models where the gas gauge wasn't calibrated properly. They see it all the time. Just as many customers return with the car showing 7/8 and claiming they had just filled it up a half mile away, so they're used to that being the case on many of their vehicles.

I love how you guys are so quick to accuse people of wanting to scam you. Dude, the guy who told you that wasn't going to profit from it in any way. What would his motivation be to scam you? Sheesh. On the counter, I could see it, because they're commissioned on those optional extras. But the guy wandering the parking lot has no stake in your fuel level.

Just curious which Thrifty location you guys are renting from. I've rented from Thrifty many times in several cities and have never run into any headaches regarding the insurance.

Thank you.

My customary practice is to say, as I'm laying my credit card & DL on the counter, 'No ins & I'll fill it myself'. I find this expedites things quite nicely since the agent knows not to even bother w/any of the upselling BS-just give me the keys & we'll both move on.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!! You just set yourself up for getting the crappiest car on the lot and parked in the farthest stall away. You completely demotivated the agent from offering any extra help to you or doing what they can to help you if something were to happen. Would you ever walk into a car dealership and immediately say, "I'm paying your dealer invoice price and not one red cent over that"? Good luck finding a salesman who will bother to show you the features of the car, take you for a test drive, and go through the paperwork with you. It's much more pleasant for both of you if you just patiently wait until the agent offers you the various products, and then politely decline them. The agent will be in a much better mood, will probably pick out a nicer and/or closer car, probably offer additional help with directions and maybe even some good restaurant recommendations that you otherwise wouldn't have gotten.

Had this happen at Thrifty in Denver. Guy said upon return that I took a stone chip on the windshielf, when in fact, I didn't - it was in a place that would have made me flinch if it had actually happened to me. I wrote on the "damage claim" paper that I DID NOT CAUSE THIS, AND I WILL NOT HAVE MY INSURANCE PROCESS IT. Have heard nothing since - and that was February.

A little tip, since most of us use cellphones: I do a walk-around when renting from Thrifty, and make sure all scratches and dents are recorded via photos (I also set my phone to date/time stamp the pic) in addition to the paperwork marks of where dents are. That way, I've got solid proof.

Didn't help me in St. Louis last week - I did all of that, signed the papers...only to find when I got 10 miles down the road that the gas guage was just under 3/4 when the paperwork said FULL. Considered taking a photo of that, but I just chalked it up to another learning experience instead.

Watch it with Thrifty!

Did you mark the rock chip when first inspecting your vehicle? Did you take your inspection form over to the lot attendant or CSR to document it? If not, then sorry. That one is on you. That's why they tell you to do that inspection. You can imagine how many people do actually have something happen to them and then boldfaced lie about it to the return agent. They can't just believe you when the evidence doesn't back your claim up. Your best bet is to let them know why you wouldn't have seen the damage at pick-up (perhaps it was dark outside and you couldn't do a good inspection f the car) and then ask them to go back in their logs to make sure nobody else had reported that damage previously.

Forgot about the one last year - rented a convertible at LAX. Took it off the lot, my buddy and I never took the top down (cold and rainy), and when we returned about 5 days later, the guy at check-in says "Where is the part that keeps the top down?" We looked at each other with the same expression, W T F?

He was adamant that we lost a part. We told him we never used the convertible. I asked him to tell us what the part was. He didn't reply, and instead worked up a loss sheet and asked me to sign. I said no way, let me talk to the Blue Chip desk. Which I did, they spoke with the manager, and he let us go with no further problems.

I suspected a scam. Still do - - won't rent from Thrifty at LAX ever again.

Scam? Again, I love how you guys all assume the worst. Customers lie. I've seen it myself. I've watched someone scrape their car against a high curb and then boldfaced lie to the agent that they didn't do it. The return agent's job is to confront the customer about damage and to see through any lies and let Thrifty collect its money. Otherwise, it comes out of Thrifty's pocket. If they believed every customer who said something didn't happen on their watch, you wouldn't be getting such great deals on cars.

Now, I believe you that you didn't pop the convertible top down at all and that you didn't do it. You did the correct thing: bring it up to the manager and let them know that it rained all week and you never even brought the top down so it was impossible for you to have lost that part. And the manager made the correct call: let you go. But it's ludicrous to say that because the return agent--who is just doing his job--asked you about potential damage to the car, the whole procedure is a scam. Especially at a large corporate location like LAX--like I mentioned earlier, there are greedy, unscrupulous franchises of all companies out there, but I can tell you definitively that there is NO push AT ALL from the corporate structure to scam customers or run the operation in a way that would intentionally set customers up for additional charges for damages.

I remember being told by an agent @ LAX (hmmm...there seems to be a pattern here!) a few years ago that there was a 'new law' in CA that allowed them to bill the renter for any rental time lost if the car was being repaired because of damage the renter caused & that the credit card coverage most of us relied on (or our own car ins policies) wouldn't cover that. This, therefore, was the reason to take the offered ins-because it would cover this 'loss of use' claim.

I don't know how much truth there was to that or whether it's even still in effect, but that's the story I got one time FWIW.

Don't know about any California laws to this effect, but this is something universal in the auto rental industry and in at least most other states. I have personally seen credit cards and even full-service auto insurance companies reject payment of loss of use charges. (My GEICO won't cover them, and for the longest time, the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection Plan [the one where you pay $25 per rental for primary coverage] didn't either. They do now, and I like to think I had something to do with that after I squawked very loudly when they didn't cover them for me--I told them that both my Visa and Mastercard would have and that it was ridiculous for their premium product to not include coverage available for free from Visa and Mastercard.)

Some of the credit card coverage doesn't include "loss of use" coverage. Some companies won't cover "loss of use" unless the rental agency provides a fleet utilization log showing there was an actual loss. There isn't a loss if there are plenty of unrented cars sitting on the lot. Some agencies consider that information to be a "trade secret". The fine print in some rental agreements give them the right to charge for loss of use without documenting an actual loss by furnishing logs.

JMO but most of us come out ahead even if we wind up self insuring loss of use.

That never made sense to me. The rental agency doesn't not charge you for your rental car if they happen to have extra ones sitting around during your rental period. By damaging the car, you are in effect keeping that car out on rent to you until it gets fixed. Maybe it would be fairer to say that you couldn't return the car until you took it yourself to a body shop and had them fix it. If the body shop took two weeks, then the car would be out on rent for two more weeks until you brought it back in perfect condition. So, what's the difference between that and having the rental agency handle all of that for you? None. Even if they do have other cars sitting and your car being in the shop didn't actually deprive them of revenue, the lack of that car in the fleet still affects planning and availability numbers and may cause the rates to be higher or the agency to sell out that car class earlier than they otherwise would have if they had that car available.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!! You just set yourself up for getting the crappiest car on the lot and parked in the farthest stall away. You completely demotivated the agent from offering any extra help to you or doing what they can to help you if something were to happen. Would you ever walk into a car dealership and immediately say, "I'm paying your dealer invoice price and not one red cent over that"? Good luck finding a salesman who will bother to show you the features of the car, take you for a test drive, and go through the paperwork with you. It's much more pleasant for both of you if you just patiently wait until the agent offers you the various products, and then politely decline them. The agent will be in a much better mood, will probably pick out a nicer and/or closer car, probably offer additional help with directions and maybe even some good restaurant recommendations that you otherwise wouldn't have gotten.

You're assuming I want or need one or the other of those from a generally bored car rental agent who is most likely no where near I'm ultimately heading anyway. Further, I've never returned a car to the 'agent' I rented from, therefore I find it difficult to believe he/she would be 'willing' to help if a problem arose. That's what my insurance & insurance agent is for.

What I want from the rental agent is to get me on my way as fast as possible, especially if I have been flying for hours & then have to trek to one of those lovely off-site multi-agency car rental locations that are starting to become almost as big as some airports.

For the record, the scenario you describe re: the car sales happens all the time & it doesn't stop salespeople from falling over themselves to make the sale anyway.

If it works for you, though, great.

You're assuming I want or need one or the other of those from a generally bored car rental agent who is most likely no where near I'm ultimately heading anyway. Further, I've never returned a car to the 'agent' I rented from, therefore I find it difficult to believe he/she would be 'willing' to help if a problem arose. That's what my insurance & insurance agent is for.

What I want from the rental agent is to get me on my way as fast as possible, especially if I have been flying for hours & then have to trek to one of those lovely off-site multi-agency car rental locations that are starting to become almost as big as some airports.

For the record, the scenario you describe re: the car sales happens all the time & it doesn't stop salespeople from falling over themselves to make the sale anyway.

If it works for you, though, great.

Well, do what you want, but just know that there is almost no worse way to set up the interaction of your rental transaction than to completely shut them down at the beginning. If you don't mind crappy cars parked far away, more power to you. Regardless of whether you need directions or restaurant recommendations (though I'll say I've gotten some great insider/local tips I wouldn't have otherwise known about from rental agents), I find it hard to believe that a pleasant, smooth, happy rental transaction isn't of value to you. When people walk up to rental agents and immediately challenge the products, the rental agent knows it's going to be a difficult transaction with a difficult customer, and believe me, the question goes through his head as to why he's even bothering to help you. If he could find a way to deny you business on some technicality, he probably would.

As far as helping you if something were to happen: I was referring more to something happening at the beginning of your rental, not to something at the end. In other words, if you go out to the car and discover that it smells like smoke, an agent you've established a good rapport with may give you a free upgrade to something nicer. One you pissed off will tell you sorry, they're sold out of everything else and you're stuck in that one.

Well, do what you want, but just know that there is almost no worse way to set up the interaction of your rental transaction than to completely shut them down at the beginning. If you don't mind crappy cars parked far away, more power to you. Regardless of whether you need directions or restaurant recommendations (though I'll say I've gotten some great insider/local tips I wouldn't have otherwise known about from rental agents), I find it hard to believe that a pleasant, smooth, happy rental transaction isn't of value to you. When people walk up to rental agents and immediately challenge the products, the rental agent knows it's going to be a difficult transaction with a difficult customer, and believe me, the question goes through his head as to why he's even bothering to help you. If he could find a way to deny you business on some technicality, he probably would.


Why are you assuming that when I, the customer, make my wishes & preferences known from the start, because I've used their product in the past btw, am being 'difficult' or that it's not possible to have a 'pleasant, smooth, happy rental transaction' unless I allow the rental agent to waste his time, & mine, on a sales pitch that I have no intention of buying?

I have a feeling that if you asked one of the agents in question whether they would rather spend their time doing their spiel for someone who might take their (useless) insurance or someone who has no intention of doing so, my guess is that they will pick the former.

Please don't project your assumptions onto a situation you have never witnessed for yourself, namely my transactions during a car rental process or, for that matter, any other business transaction I may undertake.

WPlease don't project your assumptions onto a situation you have never witnessed for yourself, namely my transactions during a car rental process or, for that matter, any other business transaction I may undertake.

They're not projected assumptions. I know this for a fact. This is probably the thing that ticks off rental agents the most.

Not only are they commissioned salespeople, they work on a yield system where customers with no sales can actually lower their commission tiers and hurt their end-of-month bonus. When someone walks up and immediately shuts the agent's possibility of a sale down and could potentially hurt them, the thought that goes through their head is literally, "jacka**--why am I even helping this person?" Sorry, but that's how it is.

Do yourself a favor and take advantage of the express rental programs offered by the various companies (Blue Chip at Thrifty and Dollar Express at Dollar) if you want to skip the sales pitch. But shutting them down at the outset is not the way to do that. If you do, more than likely, after you leave, he or she's going to go back into the break room and talk about that jerk of a customer who he or she just helped. That's how you're perceived when you do that.

They're not projected assumptions. I know this for a fact. This is probably the thing that ticks off rental agents the most.

Do yourself a favor and take advantage of the express rental programs offered by the various companies (Blue Chip at Thrifty and Dollar Express at Dollar) if you want to skip the sales pitch. But shutting them down at the outset is not the way to do that. If you do, more than likely, after you leave, he or she's going to go back into the break room and talk about that jerk of a customer who he or she just helped. That's how you're perceived when you do that.

And, again, you are making another assumption that I am not enrolled in those programs.

I get that you are, were, or know someone who is/was a car rental agent, & you hate that I don't & won't pay for the useless ins & am not going to waste my time listening to a sales pitch for something I have no intention of buying-not my problem. If you think that makes me a jerk, again, not my problem-that's just another assumption on your part. And since there is absolutely nothing you can say that will change my mind, I suggest this discussion be dropped.

I get that you are, were, or know someone who is/was a car rental agent, & you hate that I don't & won't pay for the useless ins & am not going to waste my time listening to a sales pitch for something I have no intention of buying-not my problem. If you think that makes me a jerk, again, not my problem-that's just another assumption on your part. And since there is absolutely nothing you can say that will change my mind, I suggest this discussion be dropped.

I didn't say you were a jerk. I understand your desire for an efficient transaction. (That's why I suggested joining the express programs--if you do use them, then this shouldn't even be an issue, since you wouldn't get the sales pitch.) I said that you are perceived as a jerk. I'm sorry--maybe I'm just too much of a nice guy, but the concept of shutting someone down and intentionally pissing them off (and not caring that you're doing so) is just such a foreign concept to me that I'm having a hard time understanding why you would do it. I prefer my interactions with people to be pleasant such that when I walk away, the other person thinks what a nice guy I am. If that means I'm subjected to 30 extra seconds of dialogue, then I'm happy to trade my time for good vibes. I understand your time is valuable, and I understand that you do this a lot and know the system (and I respect your decision to not take what they're selling--that in and of itself doesn't bother a rental agent), but getting off on a sour foot is not the way to do it.

Unless you just LIKE making people miserable and don't mind getting the farthest car with the most mileage...

Getting back on topic....

Some of the credit card coverage doesn't include "loss of use" coverage. Some companies won't cover "loss of use" unless the rental agency provides a fleet utilization log showing there was an actual loss. There isn't a loss if there are plenty of unrented cars sitting on the lot. Some agencies consider that information to be a "trade secret". The fine print in some rental agreements give them the right to charge for loss of use without documenting an actual loss by furnishing logs.

JMO but most of us come out ahead even if we wind up self insuring loss of use.

While my CC does cover loss of use, "self-insuring" if you don't have coverage isn't the end of the world, because in the grand scheme of things it's one of the lowest expenses that'll be related to a damage claim (besides maybe admin fees). Let's say I smack up a midsize car that requires 5 days worth of repair (that's the standard upt here, insurance companies don't want to pay for a customers' rental over the weekend so it goes in Monday comes out Friday). If the rental company was averaging $50 per day on midsizes and they had 60% of them out on rent, loss of use would be $150. Not an insignifigant amount, but not the end of the world either.

Of all rental companies I have dealt with, Thrifty has the worst customer service.

For the insurance part, they always ask "do you want full coverage or just basic" while other rental companies usually ask "do you need any insurance".

I also got prices a few dollars higher than the reservation price, I need to show them the reservation in order to change it back.

when pre-check the car before driving out, a agent pointed all the damages around the car and marked them on the sheet. But when I signed the sheet I found several scratches that he pointed were not marked on the sheet!


I don't think the pp have ever rented from Thrifty. Like most of us I always decline the optional coverage. Any other agency a simple no thank you is sufficient. Occasionally a representative will "hard sell" the benefits of getting coverage for "loss of use" but a no results in a contract without any extras.

I read about the Trifty "scam" prior to my rental and I read the entire contract. Thrifty is different. As soon as you say NO to optional coverage the representative says something like no problem, you just want the basic coverage. Most people would interpret that as agreeing to the coverage that's included in the rental price but Thrifty interprets your answer as requesting a lower level of optional coverage. Not every customer takes the time to read the fine print, although you should always read what you sign.

I want to thank the OP for the information. AFAIK Thrifty is the only agency where a NO answer from the customer is deceptively treated as a yes.

I doubt the previous posters ever heard this pitch. The presentation is deceptive and dishonest. Basically Thrifty is intentionally signing up a customer for something they said no to and is counting that a number of customers won't take the time to read the contract.

After I said no to everything I noted the gas guage read 7/8. When I complained I was told that's the way the guage reads when it was full. It read over F when I filled the tank, I took the time to wait in line and get a credit. I suspect most renters wouldn't take the time.

Of all rental companies I have dealt with, Thrifty has the worst customer service.

For the insurance part, they always ask "do you want full coverage or just basic" while other rental companies usually ask "do you need any insurance".

I also got prices a few dollars higher than the reservation price, I need to show them the reservation in order to change it back.

when pre-check the car before driving out, a agent pointed all the damages around the car and marked them on the sheet. But when I signed the sheet I found several scratches that he pointed were not marked on the sheet!

Well, if that's what you define as "the worst customer service," then you're using the wrong term to define your experiences.

For one, I've never heard anyone at Thrifty use that terminology. Actually, I've heard Avis agents using the exact phrasing you wrote. I don't like it either--there are much more effective and customer-service-oriented ways to sell, but that verbiage is hardly unique to any one agency.

Computer glitches happen at ALL agencies. I've NEVER seen a Thrifty agent intentionally inflate the rate. I've learned to ALWAYS carry a reservation paper with me (or keep the email or PDF handy in my phone/laptop) just in case, but whenever this has happened, it's usually either an obvious glitch or some situation whereby the pickup time was changed which resulted in a re-rate or something (which needs to be manually overridden).

And missing a couple of scratches is just human! I mean, that's why they give you the paper to go out and double check it yourself! You can't really fault anyone there! And FWIW, I had to wait 10 minutes for an Avis agent to come back out to a car I rented to mark down existing damage. I actually prefer the Thrifty system of letting you take care of it yourself and then just handing the paper back to the agent. (Heck, if I wanted to protect myself from any damage, I could probably just mark it on the paper in advance and they'd never know. So in some respects, Thrifty is more trusting and lenient than any other agency--just put a nice big "C" in the middle of the windshield for chip and you'll never have to pay for a windshield again!)

I can't imagine any rental car agents flat out lie about the optional coverage being "mandatory." I figure the agent was probably a very good saleman(woman) and made it sound like it would be a very bad decision not to get the optional coverage.

LAX

I've had Enterprise come out to deliver my car and tell me that I have to take the "optional" coverage because I did not have auto insurance (even though the credit card coverage applied). Lying (@#*@)@!*@. Actually my experience with all of the "discount" agencies is that they have lot's of revenue enhancement techniques in which they try to trick you into additional expenses. After several refusals one Enterprise agent wrote on my contract "fully liable" in big black marker pen. It's like going to buy a used car, caveat emptor. When in doubt, the answer is "no".

Side track question,

If you don't have car insurance, which CC will cover your liability part in an accident.

I've been verbally told that the BoA Visa will cover that but I can't seem to find that in writing anywher.

Side track question,

If you don't have car insurance, which CC will cover your liability part in an accident.

I've been verbally told that the BoA Visa will cover that but I can't seem to find that in writing anywher.
None. No credit card that I have ever seen will expose itself to the huge amounts that can happen for liability suits.

It has been argued that some trip insurance (and perhaps some of the free travel insurance that may come with some cards) could be construed to cover some form of liability, but I'd proceed VERY carefully with that assumption...

of cards that cover property damage, not liability. Have successfully used the property damage coverage several times (and interestingly, the problems i had with it were not with the credit card, but the rental companies, like thrifty, in not timely providing the credit card companies with the requested documentation)


Side track question,

If you don't have car insurance, which CC will cover your liability part in an accident.

I've been verbally told that the BoA Visa will cover that but I can't seem to find that in writing anywher.

I agree with the OP. Recently rented with Thrifty at DTW on a last minute rental. Everyone else was sold out. Drove the car off the lot at night. Stayed overnight near the airport and was driving to Canada in the morning. Noticed one of the tires was low in morning. So went to the nearest gas station in the morning to air the tire up. After doing so, drove straight back to Thrifty for switch cars. Informed the agent of the problem and asked for a switch. Was told it would be $90 for the flat. I don't ever remember being told anything more incredulous and ridiculous!! :confused: Asked for the manager who repeated the same dribble. So I told them that I didn't have a problem with the car and would be happy just taking it back. Was told that it didn't matter now; they would put a note on my account and charge me the $90 anyway. By that time, I felt like I was in lala land.... So finally I challenged them to find the flat tire. They sent a mechanic out to check the car who came back with nothing. So they let me drive off the lot. Stopped at a WalMart on the way and got a very small leak patched for $9.50.

The experience taught me never ever to rent from Thrifty again. :td:

And yes, at the time of rental, they tried to tell me all about the perils of not buying the "optional" coverage even after I had politely declined a couple of times already.

also I was offered a car with 75,000 km, the highest milage car I have ever rent.

Of all rental companies I have dealt with, Thrifty has the worst customer service.

For the insurance part, they always ask "do you want full coverage or just basic" while other rental companies usually ask "do you need any insurance".

I also got prices a few dollars higher than the reservation price, I need to show them the reservation in order to change it back.

when pre-check the car before driving out, a agent pointed all the damages around the car and marked them on the sheet. But when I signed the sheet I found several scratches that he pointed were not marked on the sheet!

The gauge read 7/8 full when I picked up the car. I was told the tank was full and the that's what the gauge shows with a full tank. I made them put the 7/8 on the rental agreement. Alternately I was going to make them top off the tank.

No surprise when I gassed up and the gauge showed F. I didn't get a credit for unused gas, I got the credit because I wasn't given the full tank they claimed when I rented the car.

This was after I didn't fall for the "basic coverage" scam.

It seems to be pretty rare that a car is really FULL when you take it out..It gets as bad as being 2-3 gallons down when I've driven off..

When gas was at $4.00+ per gallon, it really pissed me off to have to put an extra $8-10 more back into the tank than what I used..

I think that most of the rental companies tend to leave the tank less than full even when charging the lasst renter to "top it off" (ie - they charge the renter & then leave it exactly it was driven it at)...

Of all rental companies I have dealt with, Thrifty has the worst customer service.

For the insurance part, they always ask "do you want full coverage or just basic" while other rental companies usually ask "do you need any insurance".

I also got prices a few dollars higher than the reservation price, I need to show them the reservation in order to change it back.

when pre-check the car before driving out, a agent pointed all the damages around the car and marked them on the sheet. But when I signed the sheet I found several scratches that he pointed were not marked on the sheet!

The MCI location for Thrifty was actually pretty good (at least one of the counter agents). I arrived a little early to pick up my car & was told that if I ran over a little bit the following day when I returned it to come back to the counter if the return agent charged me for extra time (Thrifty was NO grace period now - all of the major rental companies used to have a 59-minute grace period up till recent days). It took 13 minutes to get out out to the car & out of the gate. I returned it about 20 minutes after the time printed on the rental agreement. Took about 2-3 minutes for the return guy to come over & input the return info. So I was really less than 5 minutes over the 24 hour period. Got charged $9 for an extra hour ($35 was the rate for the one day). That $9 charge kicked in $15 of additional taxes/fees and added $24 to the bill.

Went inside and waited about 10-15 minutes but the same helpful Thrifty agent took the extra $24 off the bill for me...That had kicked my total from $54 (ridiculous enough for $19 of fees/taxes on a $35 rental) to $78.

So I was happy with Thrifty's service on MCI.

Not so with my last Thrifty rental in LAS in June. Only 1 person outside working the Blue Chip window & it was taking her 5-10 minutes to process each customer...really crappy for supposed Express service...At that time they were also trying to pawn off all of the PT Cruisers as Midsize cars...

By the way, although the rental I mentioned above was $35 a day, this year I have been mostly renting with Avis (I have a corporate rate of about $52 for a compact) or through Priceline...because of the ridiculous $100+ per day rates I have been seeing from all car companies when I look a rental up online.

I just am NOT going to pay $100+ PLUS TAXES to rent a car. Not gonna happen.

I had $50-60 rentals booked earlier in the summer & skipped them..because even that was too costly for a stinkin' car rental...I just stayed near the airport (MSP once and ORD once) both times, and took the free shuttle to the hotel. At ORD I also saved close to $20 on parking at the O'Hare Hyatt too. Just the saved parking fee alone paid for my burger & beer in the Hyatt bar.

Had my plans been different & I had really needed the car, I would have paid the $50-75 rate and bit the bullet.

But no stinking way will I pay $100+ for a car & then up to 50% more in taxes & Fees.

So take note Thrifty & other rental companies -- you're going to need to keep shrinking your fleets because I'm not going to pay your inflated rental rates. And I'm sure that many others here have had it with the current ridiculous car rental rates (and freaking fees!). Once you get over $50-60 a day base rate, I will refuse to rent a car.

Just not gonna happen! I don't have over $60 a day to spend on a car after I've had to cut back on my travel expenses...

I do not know that this is unique to Thrifty, I think they all try this from time to time. Here is what I would do, join the loyalty program (if it is free) and always use your number. This way your rental preferences regarding ins and gas are set. Verify your cars conditions before stepping into it. i have even noted what I was told was dirt but looked like scratches to me we disagreed but I noted it anyway. Expect excellent service regardless of your insurance choices, if you do not get excellent service take your business elsewhere. If you think you are getting the short end of the deal, do not accept the car request a different model. In my case Avis knows I will not accept a PT Cruiser HHR or any "Upgrade" to a SUV, or Mini Van. Do not let them bill you for wear and tear items this is part of their cost of doing business not part of your cost for doing business with them. Wear and Tear items include tires they sometimes do go flat, not if you hit a curb and blow out a sidewall that is not normal wear and tear. I have never been charged for a flat tire ever and I usually request they repair the tire or provide a replacement car (they only come with one spare).
In today's business climate if you do not think you are getting the value you paid for, please do take your business elsewhere. This is what I do anything else is just not worth the hassle life is to short.
BTW, if the rental company charges for their frequent renter program go elsewhere (that was for you Hertz).