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For my recent trip to Canada, I purchased my plane ticket online, through Expedia, and I also added a rental car to the package. I choose Dollar Rent a Car, because they offered the lowest price, something around $13 a day. Ridiculously low, I know. So, I arrived in Toronto late at night, when the sun was setting. The offices of the Dollar Company are inside of a hotel, near the airport. I called the company, they immediately sent a shuttle to escort me to their offices, and everything went smoothly so far. As usual, I did not choose to buy insurance, because I trust my driving skills and I rely heavily on my luck. :-) Anyway, the employee accompanied me to the car and we started together the car inspection. Honestly, I did not pay much attention to the car, one, because it was very dark outside and one could not see much at that hour, and, second, I did not think that Dollar would give me a car that has problems and they would hide it from me. Come on…what respectable company would do that? The employee encouraged me to look at the car, because I have to sing the papers, and I should feel good after I signed. So, I looked at the car, I noticed a small bump here and there, I notified the gentleman about it, I signed the papers, and I was good to go. Three days later, I returned the car, and the inspection moment come. The employee that took care of me, this time a different person, points to me a mark on the back of the car, that was evident that was there for years. He told me with a very calm voice that I am liable for the repair of the car, because that mark was not present on the paper that they gave me when I signed. I remained perplex. I told him that I was not responsible for the mark, and everyone could easily see that the mark was not only three days old. The man did not negotiate with me. He told me simply: “If it is not on the paper, you are liable. And…what do you expect for $13/day? But your credit card company might offer you protection for car rentals, so call them up.” So…I immediately called my credit card, and luckily enough for me, I was covered. The payment was no longer a problem; what bothered me was the company’s tricky way of attracting customers, offering ridiculously low prices, knowing very well that they will find a way to make them pay more in the end. I will never rent a car from Dollar again…
swell @ March 7, 2008
