It pays to be nice...literally.

[JoitheArtist]

I had to rent a car on Tuesday to go clean out my old car and get it taken to the junkyard. This is what happened when I took it back to the rental office...

RA1: rental agent 1
RA2: rental agent 2
MR: Male renter
FR: female renter
Me:

I went in to drop off the car, and my housemate was waiting in her car so we could run errands together afterward. The 2 rental agents were busy with MR and FR, separate renters. Both of them were having the rentals covered by insurance, and were arguing with RA1 and RA2 about what was covered.

RA1: *to FR* Ok, so your insurance covers blah blah blah, rate of $50 a day...
MR: *butting in* Wait, RA2 said I had to pay $100 a day, how come she gets $50? (note: I have no idea what this was, I hadn't paid attention until this point)
RA2: It's a totally different situation, if you have a question about coverage you'll have to work it out with your insurance.
MR: *grumbles*
RA1: Ok, and here are your options for insurance while driving the car... *explains*
FR: But I shouldn't have to take out insurance! My car was damaged at the dealership, my insurance is covering this, I shouldn't have to pay.
RA1: Regardless of who's paying, we recommend getting at least some insurance for the time you have the car. Even the basic one will protect you should someone back into the car or something.
FR: forget it! I'm not paying a dime for that stuff!
RA1: Ok...

At this point, I've been waiting about 10 minutes, patiently sitting in a chair and playing with my phone. One of the maintenance guys has already taken my keys and inspected the car, all I need is my receipt.

RA1: Ma'am, this is going to take a while, and she just needs her receipt, so I'm going to print that out for her really quick, and then we'll finish up.
FR: NO! I am in line, and you are helping me, not her!
RA1, RA2, me:
me:
RA1: Ok then...Now, the car has a quarter tank of gas: if you bring it back with less than that it's $3.70 a gallon which is average for the area--
FR: I'm not paying for gas! my insurance should cover this! My car was damaged!
RA1:

Finally they finish up, and FR goes out to her car. It's pouring rain out, so they've pulled it up to the office for her. She goes out and sits in the car, but doesn't pull out.

RA1: I am so sorry about your wait, I tried to get to you sooner...
Me: It's ok, I overheard!
RA1: I couldn't believe she actually said that!
Me: Oh well, it'll come back to her. Karma gets everyone in the end. I've done time in retail, and I know being nasty doesn't make anything go faster! Better to just stay pleasant.
RA2: Why can't all of our customers be like you?
Me:
RA1: Ok, it looks like you used 3 gallons of gas, but since you were awesome about waiting, I'm gonna waive one of those.
Me: Yay! Thanks! *takes receipt*

FR: *honks car horn loudly*

RA2 to RA1: Damn, you're being summoned again.
RA1: *sighs, and goes out into the rain to see what FR wants this time*


Oh, FR, I have a feeling that there may be a lot of little fees on your account when you take the car back...

[PepperElf]

I'm thinking the same thing. And a letter to PFB or M3C about "omg they charged me for this shit!"


as for you...

seriously i wish more people understood this. being a little patient and polite... usually makes everything go smoother. and often employees like helping you.



you might get more flies with vinegar than honey but... employees aren't flies. they're bears. feed them honey and they love you... feed them piss and vinegar and you may get a paw swipe of karma across the face.

[wolfie]

RA1: Ma'am, this is going to take a while, and she just needs her receipt, so I'm going to print that out for her really quick, and then we'll finish up.
FR: NO! I am in line, and you are helping me, not her!
RA1, RA2, me:
me:
RA1: Ok then...Now, the car has a quarter tank of gas: if you bring it back with less than that it's $3.70 a gallon which is average for the area--
FR: I'm not paying for gas! my insurance should cover this! My car was damaged!
RA1:

If her own car hadn't been damaged, she'd have to pay for the gas she used driving it, so why shouldn't she have to pay for gas used driving the rental? Karma could use a bit of help in her case, such as a defective "vampire" gauge (fuel gauge doesn't drop to zero when engine shut off) like the one in a Cavalier I got as an insurance rental. Due to weight/balance issues within the gauge, it would drift to 3/4 with the engine off rather than holding whatever was the last reading - I spotted that when I fired it up and it dropped to 1/4, and had the rental company adjust the "outgoing" fuel level (they had read the gauge with the engine off).

Would serve her right if the car had been low on fuel and she had to pay for the "phantom" fuel - or even ran out because she assumed she had the 3/4 tank that the gauge reported before starting the engine.

[Catwoman2965]

I've rented enough cars over the last few years I know better than some of the trainees about the policies etc. - but I can see how it's confusing if you've never rented a car before. But when they try and tell you all the ins and outs, LISTEN, don't bitch, moan etc.