For those of you thinking of renting a CAR in Vancouver, READ FIRST

[Sailkeywest]

I just happened along this thread on Trip Advisor (sister website to Cruise Critic) and it describes some horrid business practices by Budget Rent-a-car in Vancouver that has been going on for years. The Better Business Bureau has more complaints about this company in Vancouver than any other.

 

Basically it describes (by many persons) the same stories over and over. The posters state that they rent a car, they return a car, and they are billed anywhere from $1000 to $1500 for a tiny scratch on the bumper or windshield. One local news channel reported that the actual cost for such alleged 'damage' should be $25-60!

 

Also, watch what you initial, one tiny area of the contract allegedly states the renter will pay 25% more than the actual contract.

 

Buyer Beware!

 

link: http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowTopic-g154943-i81-k3370342-Deceipt_at_Budget_Car_Rental_counter_at_Vancouver_Airport-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html

[TracieABD]

We rented a car in Seattle and drove to Vancouver.

We always read the contract first, and make the car service tech go over the whole car with us-- so we are not billed for another renter's mishap.

[KaraokeMusic]

Thank you for the head's up. I quit doing business with Budget Rent A Car nine years ago. They were unprofessional then and it looks like they still are.

[Sailkeywest]

One poster stated that when the budget employee could not find any dings or scratches, that he used his finger to run along the bottom inside of the front bumper and charged them for a scratch there. Also, another poster stated that when he signed up for a "$15 a day" car, they simply told him that there are none available and he would have to rent a more expensive car.

[TracieABD]

That is awful...

I wonder if corporate Budget is aware of this practice?

[Sailkeywest]

The OP stated that Budget rent-a-car in Vancouver is 'privately owned.' When contacted, Budget stated that he signed the contract and would have to pay the charges.

 

Another poster stated that he immediately cancelled his credit card once he was contacted about the damage so that they would not be able to charge his card for the alleged 'nonexistant damage.' He told them that he was just calling his card company to check if they had insurance to cover the 'damage.' This was after the company had told him to just leave the car at the cruise terminal and that they would pick it up. Whose to say that the damage didn't occur after he dropped it off?

[bepsf]

We rented a car in Seattle and drove to Vancouver.

 

My family and I found Quickcoach to be so much simpler.

The bus leaves from Canada Place in Vancouver, has express service across the border, and drops folks off at SeaTac as well as a number of Seattle hotels (or vice versa) and the driver was very nice!

http://www.quickcoach.com/

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have used HAL's transportation when going between Seattle and Vancouver. Sounds like that is much cheaper than renting a car.

 

Thanks for the head's up.