I appreciate all of the suggestions and the posts that matched or topped my story. Jim Phillips, your advice as a fellow refusenik from CO is pithy as always (I note your scrupulous editing to tighten even a one-line post D , and I'll await the BBB response to my complaint in leisure.

I had forgotten to mention in my original post that our arrival in MIA was coincidental with the penultimate game of the World Series, and cars were at a premium. I suspect that's why Payless made up a pretext to yank the car from me for a bigger spender, even though their own website states a two-hour grace period. Maybe just a heck of a coincidence...

se945 (may I call you that as a nickname se94583?), I actually tried to save one of my staff from that Nigerian scam a few years ago, but he had already flown to Nigeria and thrown his life savings into it - you're right... Payless Pat's two-faced about-face does not compare.

Magexpect, in 2003 I rented cars for a total of about three weeks of driving in France, Italy, and Sweden, and I'm definitely aware of the difference in prices, so why am I not feeling more grateful? Well, having spent close to two months in Europe in 2003 (Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, Austria), I agree that travel in North America is generally a bargain in comparison, but a ripoff is a ripoff.

On a brighter note, ajnaro, somebody dinged our German rental car last year. I pointed it out to Alamo when returning it to FRA, they said my dedictible was 300 Euros, and then they never billed me. Maybe they dinged the next renter, but somehow I doubt it.

JerryFF, I am tempted indeed to go with my Hertz Gold Club or Avis Preferred every time in the future. There's nothing like seeing your name up in lights, getting into your car, and driving off without having Close Encounters of The Turd Kind at the rental counter.

Happy and Honest Rental Experiences to all in 2004 and Caveat Emptor!

Cheers,
Fredd