Originally Posted by LAX
Hmm......I am not a fan of rental agencies "scamming" consumers, but I just can't figure out the logics some people have posted here.
I have read quite a few posts here claiming "I am not renting from Budget again even if other rental agencies have higher rates because of this alleged scam." Well, do you guys pay more than the $9.50 difference in rental rate at other rental agencies for your other rentals? Let's assume you pay exactly $9.50 each time you rent a car at other rental agency than you do at Budget. At Budget, you are given the option to go inside to ask for the charge to be take off. This obviously takes time (at least 15 mins, perhaps, sometimes much more). At the other rental agencies, you don't have this option, so you automatically save at least 15 mins. in exchange for the $9.50. Depending on how much you value your time, you can pay for the convenience of not going inside to ask for the charge to be taken off at Budget. So, what's the difference? Either way, you are paying more for the convenience of saving time, but, at Budget, you get the option of saving the money if you are not in a hurry. What's not to like? Of course, if the rates at other rental agencies are more competitive, there is really no reason to go with Budget, but if the rate difference is far more than $9.50, perhaps one needs to realize there is a price to pay for the convenience. Is worth the $9.50? That's for you, the consumer, to decide.
LAX
PS: I don't work for Budget, nor do I gain in any shape or form if you rent from Budget. I am just trying to understand the logics behind this alleged scam.
I understand what you're saying, and I like the economic analysis. But the real issue for me is not so much the extra $9.50 (I can afford the extra 10 bucks - and many people on this board probably can too) -- it's the apparent culture of attempting to profit by deceiving unsuspecting customers. Why should I do business with a company that thousands of times a day tacks an extra fee, often undisclosed, onto people's bills, and then makes it incredibly hard for them to have the charge taken off? I find it offensive, quite honestly.
Suppose that you go to a restaurant -- let's call it Al's Amore -- and the entrees are all priced at $20. You chose Al's because when you reviewed online menus, you saw that Bill's Bistro charged $30 for all entrees. All entrees at both restaurants are the same. Now, Al's didn't tell you, but they add a $10 charge to your check if you don't finish all of your succotash. But when you receive your check and ask about the $10 charge, you are told that you can have the charge refunded if you leave your date at the table for a few minutes and run 20 laps around the parking lot while wearing a silly hat. Even though the effective cost of Al's and Bill's may be the same -- and even lower at Al's if you're willing to do some calisthenics, I think I would go to Bill's restaurant - I just think Bill is a more honest businessman.