Don’t be “Thrifty” with your kids!
Written: Oct 20 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cheap prices, but we never did get a car.
Cons: Horrible customer service, I will never go back!
The Bottom Line: Thrifty offers "rock bottom" prices, but with the mess we had with my son's car seat, it was worth spending more for him to be safe.
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| scottcolson's Full Review: Thrifty |
In September, my wife, our toddler son, and I traveled to Las Vegas, NV for a medical conference. We were spending a week there for the conference and to see family. We booked everything in advance and were excited about the trip. When searching for rental cars, I happened upon the Thrifty Car Rental web site (www.thrifty.com). I was able to book an SUV for only $177 a week, much cheaper than any of the competitors. An SUV would be perfect for the three of us and all our gear.
We arrived in Las Vegas, without any problems and got on the Thrifty shuttle. We had all of our luggage, our stroller, and my son’s car seat. We always travel with his car seat, so he will be safe and to give him the comfort of a familiar setting when we are in the car. In addition, he rides in his own seat on the plane so his car seat is invaluable. We’ve traveled with him twice before, and never had any problems with his car seat, until September...
We got to the rental counter at the Las Vegas airport and we were offered a “free upgrade” to a Dodge Durango, the higher class of SUV, above the Jeep Cherokee we had rented. We agreed because it would give us more space. Honestly I didn’t care what type of vehicle I drove as long as we had space for 4 adults, and a car seat. We then took the shuttle to the location where you get your car. We loaded all of our stuff into the Durango only to find out the the seat belts didn’t lock. (If you don’t have children, try to pull your seat belts all the way to the end, they should lock. This keeps the car seat safe. If the seat belt doesn’t do this, you need a locking clip to keep the seat belt locked. We have one, but left it at home because we have never had to use it before.)
I went back into the building (to a different counter because we were now away from the airport) and I explained my dilemma to the young man at the counter. He looked at me with a very perplexed expression and didn’t understand what I was telling him. After a couple of attempts, he told me the seat belts must be broken in the Durango and he would give us a different Durango. He started the paperwork while I went to check the seat belts in the new car. These also did not lock, an obvious design in the Durango. He then offered me a Mitsubishi Montero Sport. These seat belts locked so we were on our way! Or so we thought. We loaded everything in, climbed into the driver seat, and there was a crack down the entire windshield. I hadn’t noticed it earlier. So, I went inside to tell him the crack was there because I didn’t want to be held responsible for the crack in the windshield. He told me he’s not allowed to rent the car with a cracked windshield. He had no other Monteros on the lot, but would have one back in about 2 1/2 hours.
Have I mentioned it was about 100 degrees and we were doing this all outside in the sun, with a toddler who was past his nap time?
The next car he offered was a “luxury” Chrysler. I don’t remember the model but it was 4 door sedan with leather. It was a very nice car and we thought it would fit all of our stuff. He tried the seat belts, told me that they locked and offered to change the paperwork. I agreed, but asked that I be allowed to check the seat belts first. I checked them and they didn’t lock. I’m not sure if he didn’t know what to look for or if he was intentionally trying to deceive me. At this time I am incredibly frustrated! He went inside to look for other possibilities.
We had been at Thrifty for 2 hours in the hot sun in Las Vegas and we were fed up! I walked across the street, tried 3 different models of car at Avis Car Rental. Two of the 3 had the seat belts we needed. They offered me a car immediately (for more money, but I didn’t care at this point) and we hauled all of our stuff across the street. Our son rode safely all week, and we enjoyed our trip.
We learned to always bring our locking clip when we travel, and more importantly not to trust Thrifty with any sort of customer service. I guess you get what you pay for!
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
scottcolson
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Scott Colson, MD
Location: OH to NV, to IA, finally in MN!
Reviews written: 106
Trusted by: 91 members
About Me:
Family Physician practicing in the Twin Cities, MN
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