Buyer Beware!! Dollar rental car.

[Rags13]

I had a great trip to Disney World this month, but I had a bad experience with Dollar rental car company at the Orlando airport. The agent at the desk gave me such a hard sell to purchase the add on insurance. He basically tried to tell me it was "Florida Law" and Florida is a no fault state. I explained that I have car insurance. He said that in that case, I just needed to get the basic package. When I declined, he was very rude, and at the end of the transaction told me that next time I should get the insurance. I fought the hard sell, but I would imagine other travellers might fall for the line about it being Florida law.

 

[skiingfast]

The desk agent gets a comission to upsell anything extra. I guess you found one that is in it for the money not so much for the customer service.

My jaw nearly hit the floor once when I noticed all the agents using tactics to get people to rent AWD vehicles, that car salemen use to get you to buy a car.

 

[tinka-belle]

All the rental car companies give the hard sell on insurance, it's a high profit item and the desk staff are commissioned on it. You just got a person that was a little more aggressive than average, but I've run into it everywhere, for both insurance and upsells on the vehicle.

Since Florida and esp. Orlando are such big tourist spots, I bet their pushy tactics succeed fairly often.

 

[NotUrsula]

Not only are they commissioned, they can be fired for not meeting the sales quota, so yes, they push REALLY hard.

The best course to avoid all that, with ALL car-rental companies, is to sign up for their loyalty program. All of your preferences will be on file, and they generally are told NOT to give the hard sell to members.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Or use a rental agency that has kiosks, and use the kiosk to complete your transaction.

 

[formill]

My sister and brother in law went through that there and not being frequent travellers they listened and bought the insurance-they were told it was Florida law too. It was a big family trip- we got to Florida a week after them and she was complaining how much more their rental car cost- after explaining how common it is and they do NOT have to purchase it they went back to the airport and did get their money back for it. I always call our insurance company before we go and confirm that we are completely covered before we go.

 

[Olallamom]

In March my DH and I got the hard sell from Dollar. The agent was very rude and tried scare tactics. Luckily I am smart to this and held my ground. I don't know if I would use dollar again. Alamo hasn't ever pulled these tactics with me.

 

[seashoreCM]

If they print out a contract with unwanted charges, then do not sign or initial it but instead circle the unwanted number, hand it back, and say, "I don't want that, take it off." If the unwanted number was machine printed, then it is better to have a new copy of the contract printed minus the unwanted number as opposed to hand writing in corrections.

Do they have a guest relations, er, customer relations department?

Some persons don't know how to hard sell and stay good natured about it but that is not my fault and not my problem. Telling short sob stories about how someone had to pay for the damages after an accident is okay IMHO.

There is no excuse for rudeness, quotas and the threat of getting fired included.

Maybe we need to start a fad of snail mailing a complaint, strictly about rudeness, including a request for a ten percent rebate, for the primary purpose of making heads upstairs roll. If that gets the agent fired sooner, that too is not my fault and not my problem although I might secretly smile if I found out.

There is one recorded instance (several years ago, Newark NJ?) of a customer reaching over the counter and wringing the neck of a (n airline) agent, but I strongly don't recommend that.

By the way, inspect the car carefully for damage before taking it out, including along the bottom edge and the entire surface of all windows and the floor carpeting.

Florida law does not require that you buy anything from the rental company not spelled out in the rental company's printed rules (policies).

 

[Alexander]

I guess my teacher and mom voice must come out when I am asked about insurance! I look them directly in the eye and say "no insurance" in a firm and commanding voice. I have never had anyone ask twice.l

And PLEASE, PLEASE don't anyone let yourself fall prey to the "Okay, just the basic then." After asking if you want insurance, and you tell them no, they often will use that line. If you agree, well, you've just agreed to the basic insurance plan.

 

[disney67]

sorry you had to go thru that . but like the above poster said i love using the kiosk machines no person to deal with no hard sell . thanks for the heads up about dollar

 

[Rags13]

Quick follow up. Dollar emailed me an online survey. I explained my experience and indicated I would not rent from them again. I will let you all know if I here anything more from the company.

 

[DVC-Don]

Back before I joined all the frequent renters clubs I had an Alamo agent tell me I just did not "understand the insurance principle". I then handed her my business card that Id'd me as a senior auto claims representative of the worlds largest auto insurance company. She shut up.

Between my personal auto, umbrella policy and credit card, I'm covered.

 

[rigsby25]

Thanks for the warnings. Does Dollar have kiosks?

 

[jjan]

Thanks for the warnings. Does Dollar have kiosks?

I am wondering this as well. Anyone know?

 

[maciec]

Back before I joined all the frequent renters clubs I had an Alamo agent tell me I just did not "understand the insurance principle". I then handed her my business card that Id'd me as a senior auto claims representative of the worlds largest auto insurance company. She shut up.

Between my personal auto, umbrella policy and credit card, I'm covered.

Priceless! I would have loved to have seen that exchange.