View Full Version : Confessions of an alamo rental agent!
Hi
Just read this online - confessions of an alamo rental agent and how they fleece us to make thousands of $s a month!
Well I will definately be a 'deeker' and not one of the brits that they can sell anything and everything to!! (read the article to understand)
Nadim
http://consumerist.com/2008/01/6-confessions-of-an-alamo-car-rental-agent.html
Robert5988
14-09-2010, 02:30
Sadly the link will go!
I can't think there are many 'deekers' who use this site(or rather book through this site).
It does explain why Alamo agents were always the worst for trying to push upgrades.
Or us the car hire link on this site, get a fully inclusive rate and not need upgrades [msnwink]
Now I know what the car hire agents call me - and it is not my nationality!
The information is 2 years old!
Alamo have taken this seriously. Since then Alamo have asked that if any customer has a hard sell by an agent to ask the agent for his/her name. If 3 genuine complaints are made about 1 agent then they say the agent will be fired.
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
14-09-2010, 11:48
I'm not so sure it will [msnwink].
I see nothing wrong with the link and it's a good thing for customers to be aware of over-zealous car hire agents as they will know to say no to everything they try and sell them [msnsmile].
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
Sadly the link will go!
[/quote]
E. Cosgrove
14-09-2010, 11:58
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
Sadly the link will go!
I can't think there are many 'deekers' who use this site(or rather book through this site).
[/quote]
I would disagree!
I would like to think that people who book through this site are well educated in the art of car rental and know to decline the extras, as homeowners many of us tell our guests to be aware of these sort of tricks and make them aware that upgrades are much cheaper if they do it this side of the Atlantic, they then have the confidence to become deekers.
I am certainly a deeker and I would be surprised if you are not also a deeker.[msnoo]
Perhaps we should run a poll!
Robert5988
14-09-2010, 12:46
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:I would disagree!
I would like to think that people who book through this site are well educated in the art of car rental and know to decline the extras, as homeowners many of us tell our guests to be aware of these sort of tricks and make them aware that upgrades are much cheaper if they do it this side of the Atlantic, they then have the confidence to become deekers.
I am certainly a deeker and I would be surprised if you are not also a deeker.
Perhaps we should run a poll![/quote]Doh, Yes sorry, I wrote exactly the opposite to what I intended to write!!!
jimiansville
14-09-2010, 13:03
All the more reason to book your car hire at all inclusive rates through the link on this site. In doing so you can confidently decline extras being sold by agents when collecting the car.
DANESKA18
14-09-2010, 13:59
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jimiansville
All the more reason to book your car hire at all inclusive rates through the link on this site. In doing so you can confidently decline extras being sold by agents when collecting the car.
[/quote]
Absolutely - we are confirmed card carrying Deekers and proud of it!! Thank you USCar Hire [msnsmile2]
Last year I was on my own Virgin flight was 2 hours late so was thoroughly fed up by the time I got to the Budget desk slapped passport, car hire voucher and driving licence down on the desk and holidng on to my credit card and the chap said to me he could see I knew what I was doing and did not give me any hard sell at all - so perhaps the trick is to look as though you do know what you are doing.
Laurel Oak
14-09-2010, 17:28
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Jill
Last year I was on my own Virgin flight was 2 hours late so was thoroughly fed up by the time I got to the Budget desk slapped passport, car hire voucher and driving licence down on the desk and holidng on to my credit card and the chap said to me he could see I knew what I was doing and did not give me any hard sell at all - so perhaps the trick is to look as though you do know what you are doing.
[/quote]
If you are a regular renter with any of the Car Hire companies they will have all your details on the computer and know that you know what you are doing.
I always book fully inclusive through US Car Hire and whilst I have been asked if I would like a bigger car they have never pushed me when I decline.
I think its the first time visitors who are not fully up to speed with the process they will target.
Now is the time to come out of the closet ....[msnwink]
I am a deeker and proud of it [msnsmile2]
chrizzy100
14-09-2010, 21:56
I know I am..we own both a SUV and a Convertible..so we don't really need the upgrade on holiday..
ShirleyD
14-09-2010, 22:20
At least now I can say no thank you I am a deeker :D
normajohnp
15-09-2010, 00:30
We must have "deeker" printed on us somewere as they never ask.
I'd like to see their sales pitch in March. We have booked a 15 seater!! Not sure an upgrade exists for that thing! [msnwink]
In 12 years of travelling to Florida (mostly twice a year) I think I have only ever upgraded once (and that was because we couldn't comfortably get all the luggage into the car Dollar assigned to us so I went back and upgraded to one with a larger boot/trunk)[msnembarrased]
I just fend off any pressure to upgrade with a firm refusal and the statement that we travel regularly and know exactly what we need. I have Dollar Express and Thrifty cards and am also registered on Alamo computers and I think the reps soon cotton on to the fact that they are getting nowhere with upgrade talk and just get on with the paperwork. [msnsmile2]
Only once did I come close to losing my cool with an extremely persistant Alamo clerk who tried to "con" me by adding a declined upgrade via extra credit card charges. Luckily I do thoroughly check the tick boxes before I initial or sign them and asked him what the "extra" charges were for? He said "For your upgrade sir!" I firmly told him that I had declined all upgrades and asked to speak to his supervisor. He immediately backed down and had to redo the paperwork saying he "must have misheard me" Hmmmm! Always pays to check the charges CAREFULLY before signing even though you're tired after the long flight. [msnwink]
Like the others here, I would certainly recommend Roger and UScarhire for peace of mind that you already have EVERYTHING you need in the way of insurances etc. and shouldn't need anything else (unless you willingly decide to upgrade your compact for a bright shiny open topped Mustang !![msnsmile2]