Dollar - Orlando Internationa

[Red-Snapper]

Just got back

2 great weeks,weather was scorchin everyday

Just wanted to say after using Dollar for many years - never again !!

Had a great flight, arrived early, straight off the plane (PE), bags waiting for us. Very little delay at the immigration esk. No double bag drop

So got to the Dollar desk within twenty minutes of landing - a new record through ther airport I thought.....

Stood in the Dollar queue with only about 10 to 15 people in front and waited, and waited and waited. 1 hour and 15 minutes later I got to the desk. The queue moved at a snails pace which was only marginally faster than the 6 people serving us.

I had not signed up for the express line (which you shouldnt have to do) so had to wait.

When I got to the desk the didnt have the car I had ordered or indeed anything similar.

I had got a deal on the sat nav so was goingto give it a try as we were planning on some adventurous trips. The small print said the LDW would NOT cover it and that I would be liable for $699 if it got lost or stolen (when you ca buy them for a fraction of that cost). So we used it about twice, carried it around with us and left it locked in the hotel safe at all other times !!

All in all not impressed with Dollar and they have now lost my custom on future trips.

Didnt spoil the holiday though

 

[castanea1985]

Just got back

2 great weeks,weather was scorchin everyday

Just wanted to say after using Dollar for many years - never again !!

Had a great flight, arrived early, straight off the plane (PE), bags waiting for us. Very little delay at the immigration esk. No double bag drop

So got to the Dollar desk within twenty minutes of landing - a new record through ther airport I thought.....

Stood in the Dollar queue with only about 10 to 15 people in front and waited, and waited and waited. 1 hour and 15 minutes later I got to the desk. The queue moved at a snails pace which was only marginally faster than the 6 people serving us.

I had not signed up for the express line (which you shouldnt have to do) so had to wait.

When I got to the desk the didnt have the car I had ordered or indeed anything similar.

I had got a deal on the sat nav so was goingto give it a try as we were planning on some adventurous trips. The small print said the LDW would NOT cover it and that I would be liable for $699 if it got lost or stolen (when you ca buy them for a fraction of that cost). So we used it about twice, carried it around with us and left it locked in the hotel safe at all other times !!

All in all not impressed with Dollar and they have now lost my custom on future trips.

Didnt spoil the holiday though

We went straight to the front with our Dollar Express Card!! No problems at all!

 

[wayneg]

Sorry you had problems, I have been telling people on here for a long time now to sign up for the Express card. It has saved us at least 2 hours over the past 2 trips. You should expect about a hour line at Dollar without it, especially if a couple of Virgin planes land together.
I have used them about 14 or 15 times now booking thru Airnet.co.uk and never had a problem, I will never use Alamo again after them not having any car whatsoever when we arrived one Xmas. Took them 24 hours to get us one.
No rental company is perfect hope you have a better experience whoever you choose next time.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Like I said in my first post you SHOULDNT have to sign up to the express line to get good service.....

and need I point out if everyone did then the express line would be as slow as the ordinary one.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Like I said in my first post you SHOULDNT have to sign up to the express line to get good service.....

and need I point out if everyone did then the express line would be as slow as the ordinary one.

Yes, the fast bag drop scenario.

Why not go all "American" on them and send a complaint to the Head office, you might at least get some discount off a future rental.

 

[wayneg]

Like I said in my first post you SHOULDNT have to sign up to the express line to get good service.....

and need I point out if everyone did then the express line would be as slow as the ordinary one.

In an ideal world no you shouldn't but its no different to getting checked in for a flight.
Last time I was in regular economy line at Gatwick it took 90 mins to check in. Bag drop, PE, and FC no line. Last 2 you even have to pay extra for. They were way understaffed and couldn't care less about it.
Last 2 trips from Manchester I have done bag drop and gone thru in minutes, regular lines about 1 hour long.

At least its a free service for now and it works, I love the system, saved me over 2 hours in 2 trips.
I don't know which rental company to recommend, I know Alamo was as bad last time I used them, maybe they have improved.

 

[penlanspice]

I will never use Alamo again after them not having any car whatsoever when we arrived one Xmas. Took them 24 hours to get us one.

Whilst I have never had problem with Alamo (we have used them many many times in the past and usually find the que much less than dollar at MCO) wayneg you have me worried now! No cars!! I had already thought about this as we are booking an economy 4dr which I guess is quite popular, but thought they would upgrade us if they didn't have one avaliable. Is this common around xmas? we arrive on the 29th so only a few days before New years, don't know how we would manage if we didn't have a car???

 

[Mike&Mel]

we have a 8 seater car for hire in April 08, not sure what car it is as not seen a pic :-( but it's with suncar hire (through our travel agent) at MCO... are they any good ?

 

[Frances999]

I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I agree you shouldn't have to sign up for Dollar Express to get good service, but we wouldn't arrive at MCO Dollar (or any other car rental office for that matter) without it - the lines can take forever in the regular queue, as you experienced. I agree that you should write a letter expressing your disappointment.

Were you one of the last off of the plane? That might explain the excessive delay.

 

[wayneg]

Is this common around xmas? we arrive on the 29th so only a few days before New years, don't know how we would manage if we didn't have a car???

I believe it only happens at Xmas-New Year. Hopefully all the rental companies have enough cars to cover demand now and this is a thing of the past. I know it has happened with Alamo at MCO with other people and also at LAX with another Dis'er (not sure who it was now)
When we got to Alamo and lined up for about 1 hour they got to us to tell us they had run out of cars. There was no appolgy just told us we would have to get a taxi to our hotel and keep ringing them until they got us one. We took the taxi and when he dropped us off asked for $50, Alamo had not even told us we had to pay for it(they told me later I had to reclaim it). I was fuming, I rang every rental company I could find in the book, every one sold out. I rang Alamo a few times next day, eventually 24 hours after arriving they got us one but we had to get taxi back to airport to collect it and sign papers. I eventually got my $100 back and a car but will never use them again. I would say 29th is not as bad as arriving Xmas day or Boxing day.

 

[alibeau]

Hi guys,

We have a minvan booked with Dollar for Jan 2008. I would like to register for Dollar Express but it doesn't seem to be availabe on the UK site? Do I register on the USA site??

Thanks in advance,

Ali x

 

[Dead-metal]

The last time we went we used Dollar and they are called Dollar for a reason. All the "salesman" was interested in was selling us a bigger and more expensive car. Once I said that I was happy with the car I was allocated he gave up and didn't speak again.

The queue didn't move very quickly either and the Express line was empty and being used for the regular queue.

When we finally had all the paperwork sorted and stamped we made our way to the pickup point where the nice man who delivers the cars looked at our party of 2 adults and 2 children with our luggage and decided the car we were supposed to have wouldn't carry us so found us a bigger car.

I wouldn't use Dollar again if I could possibly avoid it.

 

[penlanspice]

I believe it only happens at Xmas-New Year. Hopefully all the rental companies have enough cars to cover demand now and this is a thing of the past. I know it has happened with Alamo at MCO with other people and also at LAX with another Dis'er (not sure who it was now)
When we got to Alamo and lined up for about 1 hour they got to us to tell us they had run out of cars. There was no appolgy just told us we would have to get a taxi to our hotel and keep ringing them until they got us one. We took the taxi and when he dropped us off asked for $50, Alamo had not even told us we had to pay for it(they told me later I had to reclaim it). I was fuming, I rang every rental company I could find in the book, every one sold out. I rang Alamo a few times next day, eventually 24 hours after arriving they got us one but we had to get taxi back to airport to collect it and sign papers. I eventually got my $100 back and a car but will never use them again. I would say 29th is not as bad as arriving Xmas day or Boxing day.

This so better not happen to us!! we are staying on I drive the first night and moving the following day, imagine how much of a headache that would be?? we will def do our regular order of getting the car and then go back to the second baggage claim.

 

[wayneg]

The last time we went we used Dollar and they are called Dollar for a reason. All the "salesman" was interested in was selling us a bigger and more expensive car. Once I said that I was happy with the car I was allocated he gave up and didn't speak again.

The queue didn't move very quickly either and the Express line was empty and being used for the regular queue.

When we finally had all the paperwork sorted and stamped we made our way to the pickup point where the nice man who delivers the cars looked at our party of 2 adults and 2 children with our luggage and decided the car we were supposed to have wouldn't carry us so found us a bigger car.

I wouldn't use Dollar again if I could possibly avoid it.

Thankfully never had a problem with them trying to upgrade, If they ask always said no I am happy with what I have and they have accepted that. They are salespeople, same as any car rental.

The line does move slow, highly recommend signing up for Dollar Express, its free.

Don't understand how you got the car changed without going back in and changing all your paperwork. The contract you sign has the car details, number plate. mileage out etc.

 

[wayneg]

This so better not happen to us!! we are staying on I drive the first night and moving the following day, imagine how much of a headache that would be?? we will def do our regular order of getting the car and then go back to the second baggage claim.

It was the one and only time we had stayed onsite, Xmas 2000 (time flies, feels like yesterday). Surely they have got their act together now and don't keep doing it.
We had to use Disney buses, I hate public transport, not used it since I was at school so did not enjoy the day without a car. Disney busses at Xmas are like hell on earth, you are like sardines crammed in with ignorant people.
Probably the worst holiday we have had in Florida, car problems, Disney transport, did not like AS Movies, and Mother in law in a wheelchair with us. At least we found out we love staying offsite.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

The last time we went we used Dollar and they are called Dollar for a reason. All the "salesman" was interested in was selling us a bigger and more expensive car. Once I said that I was happy with the car I was allocated he gave up and didn't speak again.

Likewise. I must have taken 4-5 minutes repeatedly telling them I didn't want an upgrade etc. Look at the time that could be saved with the queue if they cut out all that "bull". After all, we've all taken months booking and planning our holidays, and I for one, know what car I want when I arrive.

 

[wayneg]

Likewise. I must have taken 4-5 minutes repeatedly telling them I didn't want an upgrade etc. Look at the time that could be saved with the queue if they cut out all that "bull". After all, we've all taken months booking and planning our holidays, and I for one, know what car I want when I arrive.

Maybe its how you respond to the salesman, like all good salesmen if they think there is a chance of convincing you they will keep at it. I have always been a bit sharp with them but Maybe thats bacause I am in retail myself. If they try I just say "you have nothing any better than I have booked that I like, I dont like large cars, convertables or 4x4's." Thankfully they just accept that and give me the car I booked.

Like I say I think this is a general tactic of all renatal companies not just Dollar.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Maybe its how you respond to the salesman, like all good salesmen if they think there is a chance of convincing you they will keep at it. I have always been a bit sharp with them but Maybe thats bacause I am in retail myself. If they try I just say "you have nothing any better than I have booked that I like, I dont like large cars, convertables or 4x4's." Thankfully they just accept that and give me the car I booked.

Like I say I think this is a general tactic of all renatal companies not just Dollar.

I always start with the nice friendly approach and tell them, in what I consider a polite, good mannered but firm way, "no". They still offer and upgrade to a bigger car; they still get a polite "no", "there are only 3 of us, I don't need or want a bigger car".

"You'll struggle to get your suitcases in an intermediate, Sir".

"the Intermediate is larger than my car at home and I managed to get all my suitcases in that".

"What about extra insurance, Sir"

"I took out all the insurance I required back in the UK, I don't need any more".

"You'll be more comfortable in a larger car , Sir"

It's around about this point that the "polite and good mannered behaviour" starts to transform into the:

"Which bit of the word 'NO' do you not understand?".

I have to agree, Wayne, it's not just Dollar. It's a ploy that's played on everyone. We all get off the aeroplane tired, wanting to get to our hotel with the least hassle and probably at our point of least resistance - cue the quick money making process.

I suppose we all ought to get to the desk and follow the procedure below:

"Here are my papers for the car I booked,
I don't want anything else,
Give me the keys and the paperwork,
Here's my signature.
Thank you...NEXT."

 

[Red-Snapper]

I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I agree you shouldn't have to sign up for Dollar Express to get good service, but we wouldn't arrive at MCO Dollar (or any other car rental office for that matter) without it - the lines can take forever in the regular queue, as you experienced. I agree that you should write a letter expressing your disappointment.

Were you one of the last off of the plane? That might explain the excessive delay.

No - we were PE so were one of the first and what was so annyoing was they had stopped the double bag drop for some reason so it was the quickest we had ever been through the airport.

 

[wayneg]

No - we were PE so were one of the first and what was so annyoing was they had stopped the double bag drop for some reason so it was the quickest we had ever been through the airport.

Is this a permanant thing? we had to double take on 2nd Aug.
Where did you get them from? In the main terminal I presume.