Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site drux3.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!drutx!drux3!eac From: eac@drux3.UUCP (CveticEA) Newsgroups: net.consumers Subject: Re: Budget plays Bait-and-switch Message-ID: <1180@drux3.UUCP> Date: Mon, 11-Jun-84 11:17:08 EDT Article-I.D.: drux3.1180 Posted: Mon Jun 11 11:17:08 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 12-Jun-84 00:41:47 EDT References: <615@ut-ngp.UUCP> <114@mtxinu.UUCP> <470@rayssd.UUCP>, <3009@brl-vgr.ARPA> Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver Lines: 29 In reading several of the discussions about rental car rip-offs, one thing came to mind. I have always (except once) had excellent treatment when I was traveling on business, and "who the heck are you" treatment traveling on my own when it came to rental cars. Several times, when traveling on business, when a compact that I reserved wasn't immediately available, I was given a Buick Regal. Only once while I was traveling on business did a rental car agency give me a bad time. Avis left me standing at their bus stop at Newark aiport for an hour at 12:00 midnight. (If they really do try harder, its not in Newark!) Of all the agencies I have had the worst treatment from Avis. By the way, on the issue of manual transmissions, I prefer them too but I never ask any more. I am sure the rental car companies don't have a lot of them because there are really a lot of people who do not know how to drive a manual shift. On another tangent, someone made the comment about their travel agency not willing to use another rental agency--I am sure they get kick backs. How else do they stay in business? By the way, agencies will also push one airline over another. Solution--do the shopping yourself for airplane tickets and car reservations. Sometimes, the airline will make car arrangements for you. Do the hotel shopping yourself too. Then, purchase everything via the travel agency so you are somewhat protected from airline bankruptcies. I am going to use this method until I find a fully reliable travel agent. I don't think they exist but I am still looking. Betsy Cvetic ihnp4!drux3!eac