Beware Budget car rental

[ontariomonkey]

We rented a car from Budget in September, picked it up at MCO and returned it to Cape Canaveral.

I PROMISE you guys that we returned the car clean and tidy.

2 weeks after the rental, our credit card was charged $75. We called the company and they said that they would refund the charge because the documentation was bad, and they couldn't figure out why we had been charged. The refund never went through, and now there is no evidence of the promised refund in their system.

A week later, $135 was charged to our credit card, and once again, it turned out to be a cleaning fee. We have spent literally hours trying to get to the bottom of this. We have spoken to a manager who has supposedly emailed the people who are in charge of this. No one from Budget has EVER returned our calls in the weeks that we have been disputing this.

BTW it was MCO location who charged us, after the cars were driven back from Cape Canaveral.

We have now had to put in a claim with VISA who say they rarely win these disputes. I don't even know why I am so surprised. What is a girl to do?

 

[msmayor]

When you dropped it off, did you get your copy of the paperwork that the Budget folks signed off on the condition of the vehicle? That's key in winning the dispute.

Every single time we rent a vehicle I make sure that any damage at pickup is noted, and that when we return it an agency employee signs off that the car is fine and no additional charges are warranted.

 

[seashoreCM]

You do not have to spend hours. Two short phone calls to the rental agent and then you can go ahead and dispute it with your credit card company if you do not agree with any answer they gave or if they did not give any answer. Your dispute with the credit card company should be in writing.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[ontariomonkey]

When you dropped it off, did you get your copy of the paperwork that the Budget folks signed off on the condition of the vehicle? That's key in winning the dispute.

Uh no, sounds crazy, but we have rented cars many times and never did this! Did not even realize it was an option. duh

 

[seashoreCM]

At least this time, sinc eyou did no know better, I would suggest taking the stance that the rental agency has to catch problems and notify you at the time they print the charge slip when you return the car, and that the charge slip is the sign-off..

Granted, the charges may be subject to correction but I contend that correction pertains to mistakes such as the incorrect tax percentage applied. I would say that no mistake was made regarding not charging youfor cleaning while you were still there; the grounds being tha the card did not need cleaning.

If you are expected to go around the car and check for dents before taking the car, it is only fair for the rental company to go around and check for dents and dirt before taking the car back.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I take pics of the car - inside and out with the date stamp on the day we return it...proof it's clean and not damaged.