Advice to customers who EXPECT a certain make/model of car

[child.of.dark.chaos]

I work at dollar, I know this, read and learn well my friends:

Let us say that you have reserved a Medium sized car. With us a medium sized car is considered a Chrysler Sebring OR SIMILAR.

People ask "What is the 'or similar?'"

the answer: Dodge Avenger, Dodge Stratus, Etc.

Now, we NEVER guaruntee make/model of vehicle and here is why:

After a customer has already picked up their rental car they can call us and say "hey im going to keep the car for 3 extra days, returning it later than i originaly said" we say "ok, we are going to charge you for 3 extra days" they say "ok" and BOOM its done.

Guese what, people extend their rentals all the time, not just with us, but with other rental companies as well. We have very little control over what makes/models are actualy on the lot.

secondly people wreck cars, making it impossible to rent that car out, once again, messing with what is on the lot.

Sometimes cars get returned early and we rent them out again, so its not on the lot during the times we estimated because the CUSTOMER changed their return info.

Also they call us after they pick up the car and say "hey I picked the car up at one location, can i drop it in a different location?" and of course, with a extra charge, the customer is allowed to do this. This even further messes with the types of cars on the lot.

If everyone in the world would return cars the day they said at the location they said they would, and not wreck them, then we COULD guaruntee make/model. BUT customers DON'T do that.

So instead of being mad at the ones who stand behind the counter, or instead of calling and yelling at the reservation agent in another state who doesn't know your situation, consider the ACTUAL person who HAS the vehicle you want and didn't return it on the day THEY said or to the location THEY said they would.

It all comes down to: People change their minds, and it affects people other than themselves.

When a guy with a car extends his contract because he is on vacation he had NO IDEA that you couldn't get to see your grandmother in the hospital becuase you couldn't get a car.

Come on, if you don't get your make/model come back in a few days and most likely, if the one you wanted is on the lot that day, we can exchange it (as long as its in the same catagory).

QUIT playing the blame game, QUIT yelling, your not any more special than any other customer, so either call a cab or deal with it.

This also happens to be the same reason that you reserved a car, got to the counter, and we were sold out. Why did you reserve a car and we don't have one for you, instead of yelling, consider the guy who just called and extended his contract so we don't have that car, or the other idiot who wrecked one of our cars.

Peace.

[hawkchick11]

rough day?

[BookstoreEscapee]

It all comes down to: People change their minds, and it affects people other than themselves.

You mean I'm not the only person in the world?! That's unpossible**!!

, by the way

**Sorry, they used this as a Jeopardy clue tonight and now it's stuck in my head **

[Shengirl]

Do people wreck cars often?

[CanadaGirl]

When a guy with a car extends his contract because he is on vacation he had NO IDEA that you couldn't get to see your grandmother in the hospital becuase you couldn't get a car.

If I needed a car for something that involved a family member and an emergency, I would take the first damn thing I saw on the lot, as long as it was working! People are picky at odd times, I swear.

[wolfie]

When I rent a car, I expect the rental agency to have exactly what I wanted - something with 4 wheels and an engine. Once, I got a free 2-step upgrade (compact to midsize to full-size) because they didn't have the compact (Ford Escort), or the midsize (Ford Topaz), so the closest they had to what I'd reserved was the full-size (Ford Taurus).

In a previous career (lots of business trips), I'd try (usually successfully) to downgrade (company always booked the Topaz or equivalent, I preferred smaller cars like the Escort).

[IT Grunt]

I used to rent all the time from Dollar when I flew to Louisville. Never had a problem, they always had the cars I asked for, and if they didn't, they accomodated me with what they had. One time I reserved a Dodge Intrepid, but they had just given the last one out when I stepped up. So instead, I got a Toyota 4-Runner.

Some people do need to realize that rental car agencies have a select number of cars to choose from, and it depends entirely on what has been returned to them at the time you come to pick up your car. I agree with wolfie, so long as I get something with 4 wheels that gets me where I want to go, I'm cool with it.

[Shengirl]

Once, I got a free 2-step upgrade (compact to midsize to full-size) because they didn't have the compact (Ford Escort), or the midsize (Ford Topaz), so the closest they had to what I'd reserved was the full-size (Ford Taurus).

Good fortune! I drive a '95 Mercury Sable, which is basically a Taurus, and I love that car. Only 62k miles and a smooth ride. Though I guess it wasn't good fortune for you. I, on the other hand, wouldn't know what to do with a compact. Probably park right on the first try when turning left? I'm not so good at turning left and parking.

But on topic, yeah, as long as I got a vehicle that ran and had as many seats as I needed, I would be perfectly happy. People are so picky!

[Broomjockey]

When I rent a car, I expect the rental agency to have exactly what I wanted -

Oh, you had me going with that one!

something with 4 wheels and an engine.

What about doors, windshield, headlights?


As a non-driver, I basically have to say "Does make/model *really* matter that much?" (Rhetorical, as I know people can be class A pricks) As long as it isn't prone to explosions, then it should all be good, no?

[Greenday]

As a non-driver, I basically have to say "Does make/model *really* matter that much?" (Rhetorical, as I know people can be class A pricks) As long as it isn't prone to explosions, then it should all be good, no?

If I want a Corvette, and I get a Dodge Neon, I'd be pretty freaking pissed off. But I don't expect that happens. I might be slightly put off if I got say a Dodge Charger instead but it's still an awesome car, so no whining would occur.

But if your renting something basic, I don't see why someone should through a hissy fit if they have to get something else.

[JustADude]

As a non-driver, I basically have to say "Does make/model *really* matter that much?" (Rhetorical, as I know people can be class A pricks) As long as it isn't prone to explosions, then it should all be good, no?

Each car has its own quirks and characteristics. For example, my Toyota Echo is small and has a relatively weak engine (4 cylinder, 1.5L, 115HP), but it's responsive and balanced enough that a guy who owns BMWs (yes, plural) was impressed when he drove it. I've tried out larger cars, including those BMWs, but most of them feel sluggish and heavy in comparison, even though they have much more powerful engines, so yes it really can make a difference.

I wouldn't throw a fit over it, but getting a large, heavy car when I wanted something light and sporty would be rather vexing.

[Catwoman2965]

This reminds of last year, when I was renting cars quite a bit, as my car died a slow and painful death! i was waiting to drop off a car, and the place i rented from, will pick you up, and bring you back...and they advertise this!

So its a chilly day in Dec, and i'm patiently waiting...i'm #3 or 4, with only 2 people, already helping customers. One lady has a major hissy fit, as the car was just washed, and she "didn't want it wet" - wet, meaning there were some drops on the door, that because of the weather, had frozen, but the car wasn't encased in ice or anything. So they ended up switching cars between the two customers being helped. So then its my turn, and as i'm dropping off, i need a ride home...as does picky lady. Well, when they tell her that the employee will be taking BOTH of us together, she gets all huffy, and says to me "where do you live?" in that tone of voice we all love. I told her, and i was perfectly ok with her being dropped off first!

It ends up she has someone waitign there who apparently dropped her off, she ends up NOT taking any car, and getting a ride home with whoever broght her...

amazing..i guess she thought she warranted special treatment!

[Auto]

I always reserve the cheapest model they offer.

I almost always get upgraded into a bigger model because they don't have my car on the lot.

Even if I really want the bigger car, I'll reserve the cheap one. Only once did they have a cheap car available. That's when I paid for an upgrade. But every other time, I got the car i wanted at the smaller car rate.

I'm surprised more people don't do this as well.

[child.of.dark.chaos]

You guys (and gals) are all amazing. I mean it, where are the customers who don't like to complain about everything. Where are you guys while I'm at work?

Lol, its really frusterating. When a customer asks "what is a medium size car?" we say "Its like a Dodge Stratus, Chrysler Sebring, or similar" and it never fails, they always ask "what do you mean 'or similar'" and we advise them "we can NOT guaruntee make/model of veh." then on the day of pick up they are yelling at the counter agent "I was PROMISED a chysler sebring!!!!" then they get mad, call us and yell at the first person who picks up the phone.

Listen. I understand that you shop with MANY rental car companies and that you can 'give your business' to someone else. But if you shop around with so many companies, isn't it possible that you confused our 'no guaruntee' policy with a company who does guaruntee (and not many do). So, before you start yelling, why not rething who all you talked to before the pick up day.

The ONLY, and I mean ONLY time we EVER guaruntee make and model is when you reserve one of the specialty luxury cars (nicknamed the 'style series'). THEN, ONLY if you have put down a credit card, do we guaruntee that car.

So please, faithfull customers, keep your companies straight. And for the love of God, don't yell. When you make a mistake and leave the keys to the rental car in the trunk, or flaten our tires, or break our car windows, or return the tank empty, or loose your rental agreement contract, or anything else you customers do, we don't yell at you.

peace

[myswtghst]

I've rented a few times, when my car was in the shop and the POS I borrowed from the boyfriend at the time's father's shop wouldn't make it back to Chicago from school, and I was happy to have a car that ran, had a working stereo and didn't reek of smoke/B.O. Guess I'm more low-maintenance than I realized.

And as far as I know, what the OP said goes for all rentals--you're requesting a "class" of car, unless you put down a deposit for a luxury/sports car to use to show off.