Toll problems Budget Rental Car

[PatMcDuck]

I was looking at my Spam file tonight, for no logical reason, and saw an email from Budget. I rented a car from them recently on a Disney trip.

It says they are charging me $20 for 2 missed tolls. I missed NO tolls, I even had a roll of quarters with me. I waited for the light to turn green, said paid. I am from NJ, we are veterans at paying tolls!

What is the deal with this? I know I paid these tolls, but I guess there is some sort of issue with the road authority? Both times it was for the day I was bringing the car back to MCO.

From now on, no more exact change lanes for me in Florida, I will only go to the manned booths, except for the unmanned ones where I have no choice. I was SO proud of myself for going out of my way to buy a roll of quarters for the trip, too.

The ones I supposedly skipped were Boggy Creek and John Young. I have no idea how to prove I actually paid. I will call them tomorrow, too late now.

 

[GillianP1301]

I would definitely call, even if some time has passed and explain to them that it couldn't have been you. It's curious that both were on the return day and makes me wonder if someone got that same car after you and didn't pay? Hopefully they'll be understanding and if they aren't, at least it's not huge dollars.

I have started to use the rental car transponder thingy (whatever they call it) so that I don't have to worry about change. We got stuck at an unmanned toll one time with no change and ever since then, haven't wanted to risk it.

 

[OKW Lover]

When you talk to them, ask about the time of the alleged infractions. If its later than when you actually returned the car (which would be part of the rental company's records) you should be good to go.

 

[Greysword]

On one trip to FL, I bought a transponder at Publix. We take it with us, since we go frequent enough. This way I can pay the toll without worry about the toll booth. The transponder sits in our "Disney Box" at home with the lanyards, and gets suction cupped to the windshield while we are there.

This won't help now, but maybe in the future (and you won't need to worry about quarters ).

 

[PatMcDuck]

I will call today, but the times look accurate as to when I went each booth. Paying the toll twice is not as annoying as the service charge Budget tacks onto it.

I can only guess that I thought the thing said go, or turned green, and I was mistaken.

 

[wdwrunner]

How long ago was this infraction? I had the EXACT same thing happen to me back in Jan. I went through an exact change lane (because I had exact change and a roll of coins with me!) and it never registered. Immediately we called Budget and the DOT and they said it wasn't showing up.

It is now June and I am fearful that it is going to show up on my credit card at some point, some place. So I am kind of curious when you got this email.

TIA,
Kris

 

[3happydancers]

I will call today, but the times look accurate as to when I went each booth. Paying the toll twice is not as annoying as the service charge Budget tacks onto it.

I can only guess that I thought the thing said go, or turned green, and I was mistaken.

PatMcDuck, once this happened to me in New York. Luckily, they take photos of the cars going through tolls. As it turns out, it wasn't my car which was seen in the photo. Maybe, Florida can pull up a photo (if they take them), and in it will show the green light or paid sign.

Sorry this happened to you.

 

[Brian Noble]

As annoying as this is, it is also worth asking yourself how much time you are willing to spend to save $20. I'd make the call and see what you can do, but I'm not sure I'd go a whole lot farther than that.

 

[wdwfan1]

It happened to us too. We just paid it. Now we have the transponder and no more problems.

 

[seashoreCM]

Write a letter on paper explaining what you saw happened and raising a dispute, and send it to the rental company via U.S. Postal Service.

The idea of waiting in the manned lane and getting a receipt whenever possible is a good idea.

If using the exact change lane and traffic is congested, wait in the toll booth for the car in front of you to move well ahead before throwing your money in. This will prevent technical difficulties that might cause your toll to be given to that car ahead.