# Rental Car Companies Are Lower Than Pond Scum. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 27, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243 "2009-10-27T00:06:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/21 "2009-10-27T18:30:24Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > I know from reading Dorsey and Hiassen that things are…different…in Florida, but that doesn’t necessarily sound like a very good idea. > > Husband (H): Honey, I found us a good deal on a car for the weekend. We’re going to be chauffeured. > Wife (W): That will be too expensive! > H: No, we just have to buy him beer. > W: And just when will he be drinking it? :dubious: > H: Uhmm, we didn’t negotiate that. It won’t be nearly as terrifying if _you_ get drunk too. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/22 "2009-10-27T18:31:12Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Yep…happened to me in Phoenix. > > It was several years ago now but I recall at the time turning in my rental car and the final bill was nearly doubled. Among many things on the bill was a fee for their new baseball stadium. > > I do not give a shit about their new baseball stadium. I do not live there. I will not benefit from it. Outright bilking of their visitors. > > I propose there should be a truth in advertising law where all these fees are tacked on and most be disclosed in any advertisements and definitely at point of sale before you take the car. > > I am seriously fed up with the nickle-and-dime bullshit you get everywhere these days from car rentals to banks. Tell me up front what the costs are and we’ll go from there. Bilking of visitors is a tradition; many cities have special hotel taxes which are used to pay for things like sports venues and community projects. After all, why should the residents who will actually benefit from these have to pay for them when it’s so easy to slap a tax on things that the locals don’t use. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/23 "2009-10-27T18:32:45Z")
OK, maybe it’s because I study business, but most of you are basically whining pitiously about pretty ordinary business. But I’m going to assume that nobody told you about how to do business with these people, because in my experience most people aren’t told. but it’s important, because car rental is a very flexible business and they compete heavily - and because getting initial rentals from people is often important in keeping their business. It’s a lot like buying houses or cars - they’ll negotiate because it’s important. First off, the fees you’re charged mostly have nothing to do with the things they claim. A few might. That doesn’t mean they’re not valid or the people are being dishonest. They want to charge a “competitive price” with other rental agencies, since the business is about half price-oriented and half service-oriented. Every one of them will have these, and it will come pretty close to doubling the listed price. Second, you can negotiate with the rental agency. You don’t want to talk to whomever you just happen to see. Get a manager. Now, if that one person is the only one there, they probably have authority to negotiate a bit (this is common at night in airports, where it’s safe to leave somebody and they need to be open). Talk to them, and get a list of all their fees. If you don’t like it, negotiate a bit. Call ahead, even, and set things up. If you know it’s coming, you’re armed to negotiate over it. Plus, if they then try to tack on something, you camn pull out your estimated bill and fire right back. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/24 "2009-10-27T18:50:06Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > Bilking of visitors is a tradition; many cities have special hotel taxes which are used to pay for things like sports venues and community projects. After all, why should the residents who will actually benefit from these have to pay for them when it’s so easy to slap a tax on things that the locals don’t use. Back in the 80’s…the race for the governor of Montana produced a candidate who ran on a platform of… …getting out of staters to provide most of the revenue for the state. Seriously. That was his much-trumpeted goal…for non-residents of the state to pay more than 50% of the state revenue. He won the election. The next few years were somewhat funny as he kept trying to get things through and finding out they were illegal/violated constitution/struck down by state supreme court. He tried to get out-of-staters to pay sales tax (Montana had no sales tax). He tried to charge fees at the border for out of state vehicles (and surrounding states were ready to retaliate if he did). He did succeed in raising hunting and fishing out-of-state licenses to stratospheric levels… …and pretty much doubled hotel and rental car costs. He tried so many things I can’t remember the vast majority of them. The only ones that seemed to stick were hotel/rental car/hunting fishing licenses and such. What confused me was the even if he would have been able to implement all he wanted…how would that raise so much revenue in \* Montana \*? I moved out of the area so am not sure if he won re-election. ---
**Author:** ![ItsInTheCards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@ItsInTheCards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ItsInTheCards)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/25 "2009-10-27T19:02:41Z")
> [@Spartydog](#): > > I haven’t been truly fucked over by a rental car company like some people but nonetheless, these guys are beneath contempt. I just turned in a rental car after a 3 day rental and they printed out the bill. Here are the good parts (after the daily charge): > > Daily Frequent Flier Fee (because I wanted the frequent flier miles) - $1.50 > Customer Facility Charge (whatever that is) - $7.50 > Concession Recovery (huh?) - $14.26 > Florida surcharge - $6.00 > Tire/Battery fee - $.06 (yep, 6 cents) > License Recoup Fee - $1.35 Alright, I’ll try to explain this to you. I am the Controller of a Budget Rental Car franchise. Daily Frequent Flier Fee. - Paperwork must be done in order for you to receive your frequent flier miles. The fee is to reimburse the company for handling that on your behalf. Consequently, if you don’t want your frequent flier miles, you don’t pay the fee. Customer Facility Charge. - As it sounds, it’s a pass through charge to cover maintenance on the facilities. Believe me, it doesn’t cover the total expenditures. As a franchise, Corporate dictates everything down to the size and color of the damned toilet paper. Concession Recovery Fee. - This is the amount paid to the airport for the ability to operate on their property. In our area, the airport gets 11.1%. If you are a local customer and can produce say a drivers license with a local address, you are not charged this fee. Florida Surcharge. - already answered by someone else upthread. Tire/Battery Fee. - Consider this depreciation. During your rental you used approximately 6 cents of the life of the tires and battery. Sounds like you got off pretty cheap. License Recoup Fee. - This is the recovery of the property taxes due upon the purcchase of the vehicle. Thee items are not included in the daily rental fee because they are all treated and reported differently. For example, when reporting the airport concessions, only the rental revenue is considered. By the way, the amount of profit generated by actually renting cars is very small. After all the taxes and other fees are paid, it is almost breakeven. The profit is recognized in car sales. Hope this is helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/26 "2009-10-27T19:17:08Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > Weak. If they had just lumped all those fees together in the basic rental price you still would’ve paid the exact same thing, but would’ve been more ignorant than you are now. > > They gave you the courtesy of itemizing their cost of doing business with you. So what? Consider the other costs they didn’t break out… the salary of the person who prepared the paperwork and handed you the key, the salary of the poor shlub who vacuumed the floormats, the cost of the electricity to run the overhead lights and computers and everything else necessary so you can walk into a retail location (cost of the lease) and walk out with a car (cost of the car). Sheeesh. You do realize, don’t you, that all those costs are also being paid for when you rent the car, right? And they’re all, in one way or another, lumped together in the price you eventually paid, right? > > So what if you paid six cents for “tire/battery fee”? Would you have been happier if your total bill was just six cents higher, but that one line item wasn’t included? You probably would’ve. > > Instead of market regulation, how about we require people to take, and pass, a basic course on economics before being allowed to rent a car? > > Tell you what, **Spartydog** , why don’t you go get a $79 brake job and a $19 oil change and report back what you end up paying for those, too. Because it’ll be good for a chuckle when you come back apoplectic and insisting on “regulations”. The advertised price is different than the actual price, and this is frustrating. How hard is that to understand? And, yes, the Quik-Lube places should be pitted, too. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/27 "2009-10-27T19:17:36Z")
They really call you The Controller? ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/28 "2009-10-27T19:26:49Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It won’t be nearly as terrifying if _you_ get drunk too. There you go! The daily fee just doubled. NO - Tripled, becuase everybody in the car is going to need the beer. ---
**Author:** ![ItsInTheCards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@ItsInTheCards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ItsInTheCards)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/29 "2009-10-27T19:31:23Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > They really call you The Controller? Yep. The Controller is the title assigned to the head of the accounting department. ---
**Author:** ![LionelHutz405](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lionelhutz405/32/536_2.png) [@LionelHutz405](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LionelHutz405)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/30 "2009-10-27T19:37:38Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > First off, the fees you’re charged mostly have nothing to do with the things they claim. A few might. That doesn’t mean they’re not valid or the people are being dishonest. If the fee has nothing to do with the things they claimed, then how can it be anything other than invalid or dishonest? ---
**Author:** ![ItsInTheCards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@ItsInTheCards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ItsInTheCards)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/31 "2009-10-27T20:15:18Z")
> [@LionelHutz405](#): > > If the fee has nothing to do with the things they claimed, then how can it be anything other than invalid or dishonest? The statement made is erroneous. The fees charged are exactly for the things they claim to be for. We have to account for every penny charged to the customer and paid to whomever the fee was collected for. I chose not to respond to the original comments because I didn’t want to get into a pissing match with someone who is “studying business”. But, since I am here I will now say that pretty much everything stated is incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/32 "2009-10-27T20:47:39Z")
I think the issue here is that these fees and surcharges add significantly to the actual price, but are not disclosed up front. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/33 "2009-10-27T20:54:44Z")
> [@ItsInTheCards](#): > > The statement made is erroneous. The fees charged are exactly for the things they claim to be for. We have to account for every penny charged to the customer and paid to whomever the fee was collected for. > > I chose not to respond to the original comments because I didn’t want to get into a pissing match with someone who is “studying business”. But, since I am here I will now say that pretty much everything stated is incorrect. Quiet, pond scum! ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/34 "2009-10-27T21:01:55Z")
No no, he’s LOWER than pond scum, remember? ---
**Author:** ![ItsInTheCards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@ItsInTheCards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ItsInTheCards)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/35 "2009-10-27T21:06:40Z")
He’s a she. and thank you. Pond scum is actually nice considering some of the things I’m usually called. But that is when I (heaven forbid) charge a customer for a ticket they received while in one of our vehicles. Must have thick skin to work in this industry! ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/36 "2009-10-27T21:12:49Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > Next time I fly to Florida and need a car, maybe I’ll sign up with ZipCar for just the trip. They probably can make a good market for incidental users who don’t want to pay the annual fee, just a per-rental rate. > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You can just call me. I’ll drive you around for the week- just buy my beer. 😃 Good idea. I may just take you up on that, RNATB! Thanks! _Looks up RNATB’s post history in various threads involving alcohol_ :eek: > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It won’t be nearly as terrifying if _you_ get drunk too. Actually, I’m a tired drunk. No fun at all. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/37 "2009-10-27T21:28:28Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > The fees are not the car rental company’s fault, but rather the greedy tax authorities in that area who see tourists as easy targets for legal robbery. > > Try renting a car in Phoenix. The taxes and surcharges on my last weekend rental nearly doubled the rental price. If you need a car in Phoenix, try renting from a neighborhood location instead of the airport. You’ll save on some of those fees. See if your hotel offers an airport shuttle. If it does, use your hotel address to search for car rental locations nearby. You might get lucky and find one only a mile or two away, and the hotel will often be willing to take you with their shuttle, or if it’s Enterprise, they’ll pick you up 😉 > [@Bookkeeper](#): > > I think the issue here is that these fees and surcharges add significantly to the actual price, but are not disclosed up front. In my experience they do. You just have to pay attention. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/38 "2009-10-27T21:38:41Z")
> [@LionelHutz405](#): > > If the fee has nothing to do with the things they claimed, then how can it be anything other than invalid or dishonest? OK, I was exaggerating. To be more accurate: “They break out some things so they don’t have to raise their advertised rates, and they hope that if they add 20 very definite charges, customers will not complain as much as if they added them all up into one big fee.” I’d say that is is dihonest, except that it’s so common in the industry that you should just expect it as the normal course of business. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/39 "2009-10-27T21:41:19Z")
As luck would have it, I just happen to have my car rental receipt in front of me from a business trip it took to Philadelphia two weeks ago. Let’s see: Vehicle - $46.00 Pass Car Rental Tax - 2.00% PA Sales Tax - 6.00% Stadium Tax - 2.00% Phila Sales Tax - 2.00% A/P Access Fee - 11.11% Transport Assist Tax - $2.00/day Over 23% in taxes! But at least I can tell from the invoice what they are for. ---
**Author:** ![ItsInTheCards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@ItsInTheCards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ItsInTheCards)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243/40 "2009-10-27T21:47:26Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > OK, I was exaggerating. To be more accurate: “They break out some things so they don’t have to raise their advertised rates, and they hope that if they add 20 very definite charges, customers will not complain as much as if they added them all up into one big fee.” I’d say that is is dihonest, except that it’s so common in the industry that you should just expect it as the normal course of business. If by exaggerating you mean bullshitting than I believe you. The fees that are “broken out” are handled that way, because it is required. We are required by the airport, the taxing authorities, and countless other agencies to account for all items separately. We don’t “hope” that our customers will not complain if they are handled this way. You should probably quit while you’re ahead. You obviously know dick about the rental car industry. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-companies-are-lower-than-pond-scum/515243.md?page=3)