Budget does not disclose this all the time. Sometimes they tell you, sometimes, there is a small note in the car, sometimes nothing. Actually, I can't recall that they ever have mentioned it to me unless I have mentioned it first. I do not call sticking up a sign someone, or leaving a sticky note in the car somewhere to be "notice" or an agreement. The first time I encountered it I did not know. Also, although its been a while since I checked - once it happened to me - I DID check the fine print and its nowhere mentioned in the contract that I see online [perhaps that has been fixed by now]. I also think I checked the paperwork I got once - but if you are a fastbreak customer, you often don't get anything - and there is nothing you sign such as the other waivers, etc. After finding out about it, it would be no big deal BUT for the hell they put you through to get it taken off. So actually, Budget does "make you run laps" to get the charge removed. As I previously posted, I was forced to wait inside at the rental counter during thanksgiving rush time in florida for over 30 minutes. I find this unreasonable. People do fast break for a reason. Also I find it unreasonable that knowing I only drove one of their cars 5 miles, they should want to charge me $9.50 for the gas when I can and refill it myself for much less.
Originally Posted by LAX
Perhaps I am not understanding this Budget surcharge completely. Judging from your illustrative example, this is what Budget does.
You reserve a car from Budget and let's say it costs $20 total (let's assume it's all inclusive to make it simple). When you arrive to pick up your car, Budget makes no disclosure of what your refueling options are and never mention a word about the "automatic" surcharge (and how it can be avoided, if at all). You politely decline all possible optional stuff so that your pick up invoice shows a grand total of $20 and you are given the key after completing the paperwork. When you return the car to Budget after fulfilling all of your obligations outlined in the rental contract such as topping off the gas tank, you are billed for $29.50 ($20 + $9.50). If that's the case, I would have to agree with you that Budget is pretty deceptive (perhaps dishonest) in its rental practice.
I supposed this is where the famous "read the fine prints" line comes into play--it's probably disclosed, but not brought to your attention at the time of rental. I can totally understand if you are turned away by this practice, but Budget really doesn't make you "run laps in the parking lot" to get the charges off. Plus, if all I have to do at your "Al's Amore" is to walk over to the cash register (as in walking inside at Budget) to remind them that the $10 surcharge should be taken off, I wouldn't mind patronizing "Al's" if its food is just as good as "Bill's" and cheaper. Perhaps what I would do is to remember to go to "Bill's" if I have a movie to catch after dinner because I can leave the restaurant quickly after I leave the money on the table!
LAX