Rental car companies pushing extra services?

[Simba's Mom]

Can anyone give me their experience with which rental car companies are most pushy with recommending extra services/incurance/upgrades, etc. when you check in? We just came back from a trip where the Avis counter person really tried and pushed us to take all these extra things. DH was really getting upset-"Just give me the car!" Was this just that particular counter person or does anyone find certain companies are prone to doing this?

[dburg30]

I would guess the car companies are just like the airlines, trying to get as much revenue as possible. Airlines it's charges for luggage / food etc etc, car companies it will be for insurances and such.. It just so happens you have to (in most cases) be face to face with the car person. I'm sure the person on the other side of the counter loves having to try to be a salesperson as I'm sure you werent the first folks to basically say "just give me the car!!" Probably some corporate decision that now the agents have to go thru this spiel and try to sell you stuff, and if they dont they get in trouble / written up..

[DVC-Don]

The counter agents are paid commission on add ons.

[FireDancer]

I almost always rent from Budget and while they ask about the add ons I have never had anyone be pushy with me. I just have my standard reasons ready and they have me initial that I declined.

I have found the same to be true with Dollar though it has been a few years since I used them.

[bavaria]

Every major rental company has been doing this for years, as far back at least as the 1970's (I cannot remember further back)

With revenues down, expect most to be requiring it more and more of their employees. Employees are also often paid bonus on how much they upsell.

The best option is to join the 'frequent renters' club, which doesn't even require being a frequent renter in most cases, as you can most often bypass the counter and human interaction. Or use the check in kiosk if available.

I had an enlightening afternoon a month ago, sitting in a major US Hertz lobby for an hour. The uninformed infrequent travellers were definitely very naive and when the extras were offered, almost every single one of the 20 or so people I overheard just said 'yes' without questioning it.

Just say 'no thank you'.

[bumbershoot]

One person's "pushy" is another person's "just another question to say "no" to".

Just say no. Repeat as needed. I've never rented a car where the questions weren't asked. It's all in the response!

[Flight]

I rent often and take a businesslike but courteous approach to the agents at the counter. I politely decline all offers for extras with a "no thank you". There is never any further conversation about paying for additional items.

[dburg30]

Right you are always asked the questions, but I still wouldn't be surprised if the front line people are getting pressured more and more to be more 'pushy' for lack of a better term.

[francie57]

This is why we use Alamo and do everything through the kiosk. Don't need to go to the desk at all. Just put the info in the computer and go get the car. Much less stress.

[Chelley00]

I just rented a car from Alamo 2 weeks ago. He asked if I wanted insurance, I said no, and that was it. No push for more. It was very nice (the kiosks were down or I would have used those)

[phred52]

I gotta say, a few years ago at Avis, in MCO, the woman behind the counter was VERY pushy, I just kept saying no...no...no..., she kept it up, finally shoving the paperwork to me saying 'initial here to decline'.... I have to admit that I just initialed, and didn't read. MISTAKE!! I was initialing to accept the stupid coverage! AArgh! So lesson learned, I now always pull out my reading glasses and pause and actually READ what I'm initialing and signing.

BTW, after I arrived home, having discovered my rental car price through the roof when I turned it in, my DH called and complained and complained, climbing the corporate ladder. He finally did get me a refund for that coverage.

[kaytieeldr]

I belong to National's and Avis's rental clubs. I haven't used Avis yet, but National, I just pick out a car and go. They already know I don't want any add-ons. It's in my profile. That, coupled with the checkout person not having time (or the inclination ) to upsell makes my rental smooth and easy.

[Luv2Diz]

I have found Alamo at MCO to the be the pushiest I have ever encountered anywhere both in the U.S. and abroad. I now use only the kiosk at Alamo. They tried pushing storm insurance when a hurricane was way out at sea and not even forecast to hit Florida, told me that my personal auto insurance was no good in Florida, that I would be responsible for all damages whether an accident was my fault or not, and on and on. I usually had to repeat a strong NO before he would move on to the next sales tactic. Perhaps they figured as a female renting a car, they could scare me into buying loads of additional insurance. It didn't work!