Was in DSM last week and had a bad experience with Dollar. Seems they were sold out of cars, and I received what I was told was the last car on the lot. Odd, because the lot was quite full, or there were lots of cars parked on their lot.

Anyway first bad experience was I was told I HAD to purchase the fuel option, it was required at this location. Odd, the website didn't tell me this. I also found it ironic that something that was called an option was mandatory. But I was assured it was actually a bargain, as it was, according to the person at the counter " a dime less a gallon than anywere in town". Naturally it wasn't, was actually a dime more than the station by the airport, and quite a bit higher than where I filled up when I returned my car.

Well anyway the rate was cheap and the car looked good, at least until I opened the door and found that it smelled like an ashtray. No not just someone had smoked a cigarette in it, but literally reeked.

So I go back to the counter and am told by the person at the counter that all their cars were non-smoking but "we can't go around and make sure nobody smokes it them". Direct quote. Then he tells me that is the only car they have (still trying to figure out what all those other cars on the lot are), and they would "clean the car" for me. Guess getting a clean car is an option, or some sort of bonus only certain people get. Maybe you must rent from them a dozen times before you actually get a clean one, or at least at DSM.

I cancel the reservation, which takes quite a long time with the person having to call someone on his cell phone several times to find out how to cancel a reservation, as Dollar immediately charges your credit card when you pick up the car.

I go over to National have a choice of several cars. The first one I pick was low mileage and clean. It didn't smell like there had been an all night poker game in it minutes ago. The rate was the same as Dollar, but it actually worked out cheaper, even at a walk up rate, as they don't have the "mandatory fuel option".

Although I have had good experiences at Dollar in other cities this mandatory fuel option and reeking car has sent me away from Dollar putting them in the same class as Enterprise as a bottom feeder rental car company.

So when your travels take you to Des Moines, unless you are a chain smoker, and love taking the fuel option, stay away from Dollar!

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That's interesting, because the fuel option is ALWAYS that - an option. I'm sure the person was mistaken saying that you had to take their fuel plan. I'd call/write to Dollar CS about your experience, even though you ended up going with National.

My first car rental was with Dollar in Las Vegas. Found a ridiculously low rate ($16/day) on their website for an Intermediate. Rented with my AMEX, so had coverage for collision, and I have my own liability insurance. She indicated that in the state of Nevada there wasn't coverage for loss, so I'd have to pay $xx extra/day for insurance against loss of the vehicle. I declined, but has anyone else had this experience? Overall my rental was fine - nice clean car.

I have emailed Dollar, received the standard we'll get back to you within 3 business days then haven't heard anything from them again, and it has been 12 days.

I have a funny feeling the people behind the counter have a financial interest in you purchasing "options". If they didn't I would imagine he would have removed it from the rental when I questioned it, and wouldn't have come up with this bogus story that the gas option was required on all rentals at this location.

I too had good experiences in Las Vegas, but after this experience in Des Moines, and the fact that Dollar has not responded to my complaint makes me stay far, far away from these people. There are too many better car rental agencies out there then to have to deal with these kinds of business practices.

I had National give me hassles in LAS -- they used intimidation techniques to try & force me to buy the LDW. The guy first wanted to see I had coverage, then backed off and then made remarks about bad drivers & accidents in LAS and said so many cars come back damaged. I declined as I had coverage for it.

I sent them a nasty letter after returning the auto about their intimidation techniques and ended up with a refund.

SDF_Traveler