Originally Posted by
lowfareair
It could be called a bait & switch, depending how it is approached. You likely would need to take it to small claims at that point, but it could be argued that a Kia Rio is similar to the Hyundai Accent (same platform, etc.), but nowhere near a Mercury Grand Marquis. I'd love to hear Budget's defense to that in court.
Would be a waste of one's time, in my opinion. Unless the company promises, and charges for, a car with certain specs and gives a lower model (and it's a lower model based on the contract both parties agreed to), you would not likely have a case. The agreements are intentionally vague. If you're a regular renter you could go through customer relations, otherwise go to another company. Or the next time you're given what you think is a lower-grade car at luxury car prices, as for a different car (a different luxury car or ask for a smaller car at a smaller car rate). Doubt you could realistically call it bait and switch unless it's done on a regular basis and intentionally. It's never happened to me. Not saying it doesn't happen, but proving it happens a lot and is intentional could be tough.