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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
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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