Budget Truck Rental

Budget truck rental scam! Scam! RUDE! Internet

7th of Jan, 2011 by User519329

On 12/28/10 I made an online reservation for a 16" truck to be picked up at the Pasadena Citgo. As per the instructions on the confirmation I tried calling the location for 5 hours. After continuous tries and only getting a recording stating that they were helping other customers to try again later I called the 800 #. I was assured that the stock stated that the truck would be available for my reservation. On 12/29/10 at 7am we went to the CITGO where our truck was reserved where we were told that budget hadn't sent her trucks in months so she doesn't answer the phone, she then sent us to a different location where they too did not have a truck, this continued for 4 hours (time I had allowed for packing) and a tank of gas until I returned home and found a "full service" location in glen burnie. I tried to call but they too did not answer the phone.

Upon arriving there were no 16" trucks available but were told to wait as there should be some coming in. A truck did arrive with less than 1/4 tank of gas. I complained at the time about our having to waste time, energy and gas to hunt for our "CONFIRMED" reservation. I was shocked and surprised yet again when I was told that the "optional" insurance was now mandatory. So our rental charge went from $105 to $165.24! Plus not only did we have to fill the tank upon return but before we even left! I argued that the insurance was only optional online and was told that if we wanted the truck we had to pay the MANDATORY insurance unless we had coverage thru our regular automobile insurance.

They called progressive insurance, our carrier, and we were told our policy did not cover damages to a 16ft commercial vehicle. I was told to contact budget's costumer service. I emailed and called the 800 #. My wife spoke w/ Bobbi ext. 32843 on 1/8/10 who told her after my wife relayed the entire story that she could not discuss the issue w/ her as due to privacy even if her credit card was used for the reservation w/o my permission. I spoke with Bobbi giving her permission only to have Bobbi tell my wife that there was nothing that could be done until next Monday, to call back then. Bobbi also told her that the online confirmation is only a confirmation of a rate not of an actual truck or location or time.

My wife argued that that fact was not relayed on her online confirmation and when her credit card was charged it constitutes a sales agreement. Bobbie argued that it was not. When my wife asked to speak with a supervisor Bobbi told my wife that there were only leads and that she would put in for a call back but to send another email and call back Monday! Bobbi was very rude and impolite. Seemed as if she had an answer for everything so that she would not have to address the situation. We returned the truck with a full tank of gas to Nuttle Lumber on 12/31/10 before 10am.

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4703 days ago by Jseale

I NEED help. Budget Truck and Car rentals from Vancouver Gilmore Street location is committing insurance fraud. There doesn’t seem anything I can do; can someone recommend a course of action I could take? I’ll explain my situation fully so you understand what happened.

On March 25th 2011 I rented a truck just after 5pm from Budget. I took it to my apartment complex and parked it in a large, obstruction free zone. I did my load, move, and unload that night. I returned the vehicle with ZERO incidents at 7:30 AM, just in front of the store, and dropped the keys off.

It was reported to me over TWO MONTHS later on May 30th by first a $336 charge on my VISA, a couple of days later I get a letter in the mail stating they found a dent. So what happened to the vehicle from my drop off time to a mysterious $336 charge on my VISA? This should have been reported to me BEFORE the truck was rented to anyone else, so I could have come and visibly seen what they were claiming.

I am shown one black and white photo where I can see no damage at all (I can barely see that it’s a picture of a truck). I challenged the quality of the photo saying I can’t see anything and Budget actually wrote me saying, “We have tried different ways to take the pictures with cameras, phones etc and the black berry seems to do a better job.” They also no longer have the picture on file, so I’ll never be able to see it in color (or a date stamp on it).

Budget’s ‘audit’ of damage process prior to pick up didn’t actual verify that area was dent free on initial inspection (upper cab area above the drivers side). It is important for the purpose of comparison to validate a dent free area vs. where they are claiming the damage currently. I looked at trim, tires and front hood area.

NOW, that I am trying to dispute this, they are threatening me…HELP ME PLEASE.

In regards to the repairs needed to the truck, Budget first told me, “We chose to have the dent fixed, rather than replace the panel which would have exceeded the $1000.00.” I guess they were saying that they did me a favor, BUT if a dent can be fixed, why would they consider replacing it?
I challenged this, saying I didn’t want any cost, fix or replaced, since I knew I didn’t cause the damage. This upset Budget, and they started to threaten me, they said, “The truck in question has not been fixed it will go to the manufacturer that built the box and if properly repaired the bill will be over $1000.00..So when we get the estimate I will be happy to send it to you.” And then their manager reiterated this by also saying, “To properly repair the vehicle back to the condition it was prior to your rental would cost well over $1, 000 so for customer service reasons we decided to only bill you $336.00 and do a partial repair. In light of your concerns Budget will send the vehicle to the manufacturer and obtain a proper estimate and adjust your invoice.” So, Janine Potter, their Claims Manager is threatening me to charge me more…when I’m saying I shouldn’t be charged at all, this is their customer service? What’s a partial repair?

I am being attacked by this company, can someone please help me?? What rights do I have?
Needless to day, Budget is in bed with the devil (or they are the devil), and I will NEVER do business with them again. I hope all who reads this will do the same.