Took
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 22, 1999
- Messages
- 1,955
For the first time in our many years of traveling to Disney, we rented from Thrifty. Previously, we had rented from National and Budget (both on site) and had experienced no problems. But I got budget-minded this trip and saw that Thrifty's rental rates were much lower than anyone else's. I thought, "What's a little shuttle ride?" I regret my decision.
Our experience in renting a mid-size car from Thrifty was so-so. Essentially, you get what you pay for. Our car was dinged up and not as clean as others I've rented, but for the price, it was OK. However one thing made the rental a near-disaster right off : Ruben, the sales agent, a fast-talker if there ever was one.
First, when we walked up, Ruben started off by rapidly and in what I think of as high-pressure sales manner, trying to get us to buy a larger, more expensive car. He didn't really "ask" us if we wanted to upgrade so much as insinuate that we SHOULD upgrade, and he lined up the prices for upgrade rapidly in a row ($12.99 for this, 25.99 for this...meaning, per day!) What's more, if we had accepted Ruben's "generous" offers, we would have paid quite a bit more for renting a larger car than if I had originally reserved the larger car in the first place. THe upgrade rates were ridiculous in comparison! We refused politely.
Then, 'Ruben' moved to exploit the customer tactic two: he did not ask us if we wanted "insurance" per se (which we did not), but instead, quickly (very quickly) worked the phrase "basic coverage" into the description of what we were purchasing. Thinking a "basic" rental meant "no coverage" we said OK. After he had printed up the receipt for our rental, I noticed the total was more than double the amount I expected to pay and I asked him to explain. He said "It includes such-and-such for the rental, such-and-such for the taxes and 'basic coverage', and then I figured out he was talking about insurance. I explained I did not need insurance and he, denfensively, responded "I asked if you wanted basic coverage!" To avoid arguing, I agreed that he had asked and said I had made the mistake and to please remove the insurance, which he did with somewhat poorly concealed irritation. It was a grim moment and completely disconcerted me (we had been up since 4:00am).
After that, everything was OK, but my experience with Ruben nearly ruined my day. I admit, I had been warned about high-pressure sales from Thrifty agents and hoped to find these warnings without foundation. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Right now, I can't imagine going back to Thrifty, not for any amount of savings! No one wants to start off his or her vacation with "negative vibes."
For those who choose to go with Thrifty anyway, please beware--Ruben was "lead sales agent" and, from our point of view, he got that way by bullying and conning customers into paying for what they didn't need!
Our experience in renting a mid-size car from Thrifty was so-so. Essentially, you get what you pay for. Our car was dinged up and not as clean as others I've rented, but for the price, it was OK. However one thing made the rental a near-disaster right off : Ruben, the sales agent, a fast-talker if there ever was one.
First, when we walked up, Ruben started off by rapidly and in what I think of as high-pressure sales manner, trying to get us to buy a larger, more expensive car. He didn't really "ask" us if we wanted to upgrade so much as insinuate that we SHOULD upgrade, and he lined up the prices for upgrade rapidly in a row ($12.99 for this, 25.99 for this...meaning, per day!) What's more, if we had accepted Ruben's "generous" offers, we would have paid quite a bit more for renting a larger car than if I had originally reserved the larger car in the first place. THe upgrade rates were ridiculous in comparison! We refused politely.
Then, 'Ruben' moved to exploit the customer tactic two: he did not ask us if we wanted "insurance" per se (which we did not), but instead, quickly (very quickly) worked the phrase "basic coverage" into the description of what we were purchasing. Thinking a "basic" rental meant "no coverage" we said OK. After he had printed up the receipt for our rental, I noticed the total was more than double the amount I expected to pay and I asked him to explain. He said "It includes such-and-such for the rental, such-and-such for the taxes and 'basic coverage', and then I figured out he was talking about insurance. I explained I did not need insurance and he, denfensively, responded "I asked if you wanted basic coverage!" To avoid arguing, I agreed that he had asked and said I had made the mistake and to please remove the insurance, which he did with somewhat poorly concealed irritation. It was a grim moment and completely disconcerted me (we had been up since 4:00am).
After that, everything was OK, but my experience with Ruben nearly ruined my day. I admit, I had been warned about high-pressure sales from Thrifty agents and hoped to find these warnings without foundation. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Right now, I can't imagine going back to Thrifty, not for any amount of savings! No one wants to start off his or her vacation with "negative vibes."
For those who choose to go with Thrifty anyway, please beware--Ruben was "lead sales agent" and, from our point of view, he got that way by bullying and conning customers into paying for what they didn't need!
)
It's been just as bad at other car rental agencies, although I've noticed they usually don't push it as hard when I rent from Priceline...maybe because it's prepaid and they figure I'm a cheapskate.
