Car Rentals

I used to rent cars very frequently up to about 4 years ago, given how much I used to travel on business. Then I cut down my travel and rarely needed a rental car. But over the last month or so, I have rented a few times and the recent experiences have been totally different compared to what they used to be, earlier this decade.

First of all, the rental car companies aggressively market their "low prices" on their website and on other sites like Hotwire and Priceline. You end up feeling happy about the deals. But when you get to the rental car counter, you will notice that the rental car company reps are very aggressive in trying to make you spend money on additional insurance, a tank of gas and such things. Earlier, they used to ask "Would you like any insurance coverage, sir?". The straightforward question used to usually get a straightforward answer, "No, thanks". Now, they ask "What type of coverage would you like, sir - Basic or Comprehensive?". They make you feel as if those are the only two options available. Now, if you do not realize how they are trying to fool you, you end up spending 20-30 bucks a day, easily. When I mentioned this morning that I did not want any coverage (since I already have my insurance), the guy started talking about how I would be responsible for damages. He tried his best to scare me about the potential damages. The tone of speech makes you feel as if you are committing a big mistake. And I had heard the same spiel at least four other times over the last month, from different rental companies in different cities. I told him to just give me what I wanted.

Then he wanted me to buy a tank of gas. If I bought it from them, I could return the car with any amount of gas. If not, they would charge me at $6 a gallon. The fineprint is that if you buy a full tank of gas from them, and if you return the car with any amount of gas in it, you do not get any credit. I am yet to see an airport car rental return center, which is far from a gas station. Why would anyone buy a full tank from these morons?

My point is not really about the money that I saved by not accepting any of those options, but the way in which these companies are trying to take advantage of innocent customers. I see that people do not understand these traps, more often than not. It seems like customers have to be very careful to just hold on to their money!