There seems to be something about south Florida and rental car scams.
There's a number of Only-In-Florida ultra-cheap car rental chains. I used EZ, which got me a midsize for $17.99 thru Orbitz. Nothing like your experience, but hilarious nonetheless.
Arrived via shuttle at the office, which was quite the hole-in-the-wall. Cuban guy on the phone introduced me to standard South Florida phone manners: ignore the customer standing before you and continue your conversation at a leisurely pace. Finally got off, asked me for proof of insurance (had a feeling this might come up someday, so was ready), xeroxed everything including license, then tried to push a full size. Said no thanks, gave me one anyway. Then the best part: "We have no gas pumps on site." Translation: I get to pay for whatever gas is already in the car and have to bring it back empty. My car had 3/4 tank. And how much were they charging per gallon? "I have no idea," said the guy. "The computer does it automatically." Right. I pressed, explaining in a friendly fashion how morally wrong it was to charge someone for something they don't want at a secret rate. "If you want to call 1-800-EZCAR they will tell you. I will not tell you, that is for sure." So EZ apparently makes their money by reselling gas left by previous renters at exhorbitant rates. Nice scam, eh?
Two points.
One - you mentioned going to South Beach, as we did. Guess what? You don't need a car. Just take a shuttle to the area and walk. We never used our car while there, and in fact had to pay $10 a day for garaging plus would have been dinged $5 every time we took it somewhere else. Lesson learned.
Two - Rental car agencies are all scams, to be sure. But they're my favorite kind, the kind that only victimizes the ignorant and unprepared. Reserve the cheapest car, print out your confirmation, show up on time and decline everything -- and you'll usually make out okay. I cut this industry a little slack because I know it's simply impossible to make a profit at $13.99 or $17.99 a day -- they have to make it up somewhere. It's amusing to watch them try.
[This message has been edited by Bidkat (edited Dec 27, 2003).]