Beware of Dollar!!!

[mousey]

We had 4 minivans rented for 4/3-4/12 for my daughters softball team and their flight was running late yesterday. I called Dollar twice even being put on hold once for her to call MCO direct to make sure the minivans were saved. Guess what--no minivans and wanted 24 people and softball equipment to take cars??? I will not rent Dollar again--this reservation was made in November. I was assured that they hold the reservation for 6 hrs.--what a joke!

 

[bicker]

This happens with all the second-tier rental car agencies (Budget, Dollar, Alamo, etc.) with the same frequency, and even happens with some of the first-tier rental car agencies (Avis, Hertz, National) sometimes. It's one of the prices we pay for the way rental car services are set-up in our advantage.

 

[seashoreCM]

Did the rental reservation have spaces for your flight information which you had filled in?

Although in general rental companies reserve the right to cancel your reservation in accordance with their written rules if you are late, taking flight information implies that the reservation will be honored when the plane arrives.

Did the rental company ultimately provide vehicles sufficient to transport all of the people legally and in compliance with the rental company's rules, all for the grand total price you reserved at, or less?

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

OT: My livelong worst rental experience was with Dollar, at Hilo, Hawaii airport. Had to wait more than 2 hours to get a car.

 

[tbrenk]

We had 4 minivans rented for 4/3-4/12 for my daughters softball team and their flight was running late yesterday. I called Dollar twice even being put on hold once for her to call MCO direct to make sure the minivans were saved. Guess what--no minivans and wanted 24 people and softball equipment to take cars??? I will not rent Dollar again--this reservation was made in November. I was assured that they hold the reservation for 6 hrs.--what a joke!

How late was the flight? I thought they gave you a buffer of time.
We are renting two vehicles from Dollar on Friday.

 

[PatMcDuck]

We had this happen with Budget. At that time, you had to give 24 hours notice to cancel a reservation, or they charged you for a day's rent. (I understand why) Budget had a LONG LONG line, and we waited for 45 minutes. We get to front, and no minivans. 4 kids, 2 adults, luggage and a wheelchair, we were stuck. They offered us the opportunity to pay more for a larger car, SUV I guess, we argued we should not have to pay. They said we had to wait, they would have a minivan in 2 hours time......... then they said, they HAD none of the larger cars anyway, they made a mistake. (yeah, RIGHT) They did refund the one day charge, and as we left, we started warning the long line of people that they were out of minivans and whoknowswhatelse. (nothing like starting a mini-riot for revenge)

We walked up to Dollar, no line, and got a minivan right away with a duplicate reservation I had. (had to pay the extended minivan ripoff charge though and 2nd driver charge for spouse)

So, all the companies can stink from one time or another.

We now only rent from Alamo/National so we can pick our cars, and they do not charge for spouse to drive car. (under Emerald and Quick***ver)

 

[CarolA]

We had 4 minivans rented for 4/3-4/12 for my daughters softball team and their flight was running late yesterday. I called Dollar twice even being put on hold once for her to call MCO direct to make sure the minivans were saved. Guess what--no minivans and wanted 24 people and softball equipment to take cars??? I will not rent Dollar again--this reservation was made in November. I was assured that they hold the reservation for 6 hrs.--what a joke!

Not sure what you did, but having been in this position for future reference here's my suggestion.

Under NO circumstances do you LEAVE the rental counter. Ask for a manager, complain loudly and STAKE your space, do not allow them to "move you aside" Request that they FIND you a rental that meets the reservation you have. (If you had input the flight data they should have honored the reservation) I have had them had to hike up and down the counters to "sub lease" a car from another company, but they can do this. The only time this method was not successful was Alamo in Atlanta (where the counters are not close to each other. That experience was SO bad that I have NEVER rented from Alamo again and now rent from National with great fare that the Alamo "no service" model is spreading, if it spreads too much I am GONE!)

 

[bavaria]

Last year I landed in Munich and Hertz had no cars (due to World Cup) I had a 2 hour drive ahead of me and they told me to return the next day (uh, sorry!)

Luckily MUC is a decent airport with lots of shopping in the courtyard area, so I was able to change and eat lunch and shop. I then parked myself at the rental counter and generally made my presence felt rather strongly. I also suggested that they get a car from another agency, but nobody else had cars either. Basically I did what Carol suggested

After an hour I did get a car. (A Mercedes A class which is barely bigger/stronger than the Mercedes Smart car) I also called Hertz Gold and received $300 US credit for the experience.

It can unfortunately happen with any rental company.

 

[Detailor]

Not sure what you did, but having been in this position for future reference here's my suggestion.

Under NO circumstances do you LEAVE the rental counter. Ask for a manager, complain loudly and STAKE your space, do not allow them to "move you aside" Request that they FIND you a rental that meets the reservation you have. (If you had input the flight data they should have honored the reservation) I have had them had to hike up and down the counters to "sub lease" a car from another company, but they can do this. The only time this method was not successful was Alamo in Atlanta (where the counters are not close to each other. That experience was SO bad that I have NEVER rented from Alamo again and now rent from National with great fare that the Alamo "no service" model is spreading, if it spreads too much I am GONE!)

I think that a better protest about Alamo would be to pick some company other than National which is owned by the same parent as Alamo. Why give your money to a company that didn't provide you with service?

Dick Taylor

 

[ZekeKelso]

A brief interuption for some humor. From the best show ever...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJVtURhm62A&eurl=

 

[bavaria]

ah yes, memories of wandering around the MSP Hertz lot with other Gold members, muttering phrases from the Seinfeld episode as all we saw was a field of empty spaces.....

 

[jodifla]

This is why we use Avis Preferred! We get dropped off right at our car, put our bags in and go!

 

[CarolA]

I think that a better protest about Alamo would be to pick some company other than National which is owned by the same parent as Alamo. Why give your money to a company that didn't provide you with service?

Dick Taylor

Well, when I quit giving my money to Alamo they were NOT owned by the same company (My issue occured well over a decade ago) I have dramatically reduced my National rentals over the past few years but they are one of my companies two perferred vendors so I do occassionally have to use them. (For personal rentals I only use them when my business rentals have gotten me FREE cars!)

 

[tbrenk]

We had 4 minivans rented for 4/3-4/12 for my daughters softball team and their flight was running late yesterday. I called Dollar twice even being put on hold once for her to call MCO direct to make sure the minivans were saved. Guess what--no minivans and wanted 24 people and softball equipment to take cars??? I will not rent Dollar again--this reservation was made in November. I was assured that they hold the reservation for 6 hrs.--what a joke!

I called last night to check. She said that since she had the lfight information, if the flight was delayed, they would honor the reservation for up to 6 hours afterwards.

 

[emmabelle]

We had a problem with Hertz in May 04, they were out of compacts! We had to wait an hour until they got some returning rentals processed. They did give us a $50 voucher for our troubles, better than nothing.