Beware L&M car rental

[MaryT]

I usually book cars through Budget, but this last weekend I took a last minute trip and used Yahoo to book with L&M car rental - they are in the airport (I don't like to use the shuttles) and were $10 a day cheaper than Budget. However, I don't think they were worth the hassle.

First, I booked the day before through Yahoo travel - when I got to the counter (with a confirmation code), they couldn't find my reservation. I was told that it takes 48 hours for internet reservations to get into their system (which it says nowhere in the policy or rental information). They then tried to charge me a higher rate.

I refused, and eventually got my quoted rate - but it was a hassle. They then proceeded to hassle me over everything from the additional insurance to the pre-fueling gas option to insisting that I inspect the car and report any scratches (including door dings) which were present on the car before I took it. OK, so all the companies try to sell the extra insurance and gas, but usually a 'no, thanks' suffices.

Then, upon returning the car, it is necessary to go inside the terminal and wait in line to finish out your contract (Budget, National, etc all have hand held computers which give you the receipt in the parking garage)

I was extremely frustrated dealing with these people, and will not book with them again. The money saved was not worth the time or trouble.

 

[baileybrad]

for the heads up on L&M. We reserved a car with them a few years ago but wound up going with Avis just because I couldn't find out too much about their operation. The price difference was not enough to warrant us going with an unknown entity. Good for you for standing up to them and getting what was promised. They don't know it but hassling a customer really comes back to bite them.

 

[DisOrBust]

Thanks for the warning! I have often wondered about them especially since you never hear much on the boards! I will stick with dollar!

 

[CarolA]

I tried renting from L&M one time. We needed a full size car and they tried to give us a fairly small car. When I questioned them about it, the agent then told me that they "changed the rental car sizes based on demand" WHAT???? They then wanted my personal insurance information which I had never been asked for. Luckily, I had a back up reservation at Hertz and I just walked off!

 

[MalificentMe]

Thanks for the heads up. Often I visit the discount sites to see if the car rates are fair. L and M was always tempting because of low rates and the in terminal location. Your experience sounds terrible and not what you need when you are arriving or leaving a vacation destination. Better luck next time Take care, Tammy

 

[Big V]

We used L&M in February and had NO PROBLEMS with them! We saved quite a bit of money over the next lowest company and we were kind of worried about them too. It was a little bit of hassle when we returned the car, but I didn't think it was that bad. I would have no problems with using them again, if they had the best price! IMHO