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The car rental extras you didn’t buy

The Washington Post -- Allen Friedman says that he declined the optional insurance when he recently rented a Chevrolet Impala from Dollar Rent a Car at Denver International Airport.

So when the retired dentist from Sarasota, Fla., returned the vehicle a few days later, he was surprised to see an extra $215 for insurance and $53 for “roadside assistance” added to his bill — charges that Dollar insisted were legitimate because, it said, Friedman had signed an agreement asking for the additional coverage.

Friedman’s complaint is the basis of a lawsuit brought against Dollar in federal court in Colorado by lawyer and consumer advocate John Mattes, who says that hundreds of other car rental customers have faced similar fraudulent charges.

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Submitted Oct 20, 2012 By: ziyulu

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sjf238 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,215 Points:647,955 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 22, 2012 9:44:32 AM Ignore sjf238 Report Abuse Interesting.
85XJ Champion Author Toledo Posts:5,611 Points:1,281,740 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Oct 22, 2012 7:39:12 AM Ignore 85XJ Report Abuse As in any sales transaction, Caveat emptor
HoBuddy2012 Sophomore Author Toronto Posts:161 Points:156,550 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 22, 2012 12:36:58 AM Ignore HoBuddy2012 Report Abuse This is ridiculous.
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,520 Points:534,735 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 9:17:07 PM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Wow, they are forging signatures now. Is that really worth risking your minimum waged position at Dollar Rent A Car? If your managers pressuring you to do something stupid and unethical, at least get properly compensated!
FuelishGuy All-Star Author Edmonton Posts:796 Points:926,310 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 8:49:56 PM Ignore FuelishGuy Report Abuse Car rental agents are very aggressive when it comes to pushing insurance to the point of being bullies. I politely decline because my credit card covers it. The agent went on forever saying it didn't cover it all and how I would be liable personally. Stuck to my guns and politely refused again. She then went on again saying the same thing AGAIN, at which point I said, can I rent the car or not? She then gave me a sour look and we concluded the transaction. In retrospec, I should have filed a complaint.
hotwheels001 Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:49 Points:52,755 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 5:36:11 PM Ignore hotwheels001 Report Abuse I've never rented from Dollar but most everywhere else you have to initial when you are declining any extras. Make sure you look for these areas to initial if you are not prompt.
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,825 Points:643,250 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 4:49:29 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse You got to read the fine print!
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,507 Points:603,450 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 12:12:43 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse The link does not work. Business is making their services difficult to use. They really should take care of their customers who may not know what business wants them to.
gbs1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,006 Points:743,575 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 10:39:42 AM Ignore gbs1 Report Abuse Let the buyer beware
sciotosix Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,754 Points:667,100 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 7:56:40 AM Ignore sciotosix Report Abuse Add Dollar to the crooked business list.
SammyAdams Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,057 Points:793,605 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 10:16:21 PM Ignore SammyAdams Report Abuse Dollar Rent a Car will probably lose more money prosecuting this case than if they let it pass. But it would behoove the company to make certain that their customers execute their names fully when accepting/denying insurance coverage. It is easier to forge two initials on a contract than an entire name.
md11capt Champion Author Denver Posts:3,558 Points:711,480 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 8:21:37 PM Ignore md11capt Report Abuse Jerques!
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,121 Points:824,370 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 7:01:36 PM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse I detest all car rental companies, as well as all states and cities that charge us outrageous higher taxes and fees for renting cars near an airport (even if not on airport property) and the 10-plus percent occupancy tax for hotels.
GenChick Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:200 Points:504,735 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 5:25:52 PM Ignore GenChick Report Abuse Make sure you write NO everywhere on your rental agreement!
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:610,325 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 4:50:28 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse Bad move Dollar... even if you win this, you lose!
DanMtz Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,355 Points:1,243,325 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 3:06:46 PM Ignore DanMtz Report Abuse $215 for a couple days of insurance? For an Impala?
greatartiste All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:540 Points:105,810 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 11:40:59 AM Ignore greatartiste Report Abuse Dollar Rent a Car = ripoff
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,342 Points:745,675 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 7:52:08 AM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse Take em to court
werich44 Champion Author California Posts:1,862 Points:469,930 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 7:17:22 AM Ignore werich44 Report Abuse I will certainly not be renting from Dollar.
BBopp Champion Author Dayton Posts:6,839 Points:1,938,455 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 7:10:47 AM Ignore BBopp Report Abuse Always read the contract, it may be many pages, but read it regardless. Remember you are taking up the employee's time and this can be to your advantage.
ClarkSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,083 Points:1,012,380 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 7:09:29 AM Ignore ClarkSC Report Abuse Sue them. That's crazy.
Radar1992 Champion Author Florida Posts:1,330 Points:311,140 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 6:32:19 AM Ignore Radar1992 Report Abuse These guys are sleazy....
07skydriver Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,266 Points:984,080 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 6:03:32 AM Ignore 07skydriver Report Abuse Just stay home.
daequitz Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,322 Points:1,384,580 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 6:01:40 AM Ignore daequitz Report Abuse Bad tactics. Bad PR. Bad business.
MN1 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,364 Points:651,565 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 5:11:08 AM Ignore MN1 Report Abuse Just another big company trying to screw their customers.
Tacodan Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,325 Points:654,435 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 3:00:41 AM Ignore Tacodan Report Abuse I've rented a car one time, and probably will never rent again just because of this kind of treatment........
sagnat Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,159 Points:309,235 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 2:06:40 AM Ignore sagnat Report Abuse don't recall ever renting from Dollar but every place else I seem to have to initial places for declining their "offer" of insurance.
barber7796 Veteran Author Oklahoma Posts:426 Points:277,560 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 12:47:56 AM Ignore barber7796 Report Abuse We say we do not want the govt. in our lives but if the govr allows an industry to self regulate themselves this is what happens. Govt in or govt out. Should post the question here.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:8,751 Points:1,977,625 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 12:12:15 AM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse NEVER had a problem with National and their Emerald Club Membership. Traveled quite a bit in the 1990's' and up to 2008 and found it to be a great company. Never heard anything much good about the subject agency.
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:5,426 Points:1,097,170 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 12:04:19 AM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse Sneaky little SOBs. Bet they usually make their money from corporations that do not scrutinize their bills as does John Q Public.
NAVYHM All-Star Author Cleveland Posts:761 Points:1,386,455 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Oct 20, 2012 12:00:07 AM Ignore NAVYHM Report Abuse DOLLAR RENT A CAR TRIED THAT SAME BULL## WITH ME A FEW YEARS AGO AT CLEVELAND INTER. AIRPORT AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED BACK IN... I DID THE EXPRESS DROP-OFF IN THE PARKING LOT WITH THE ON-DUTY ATTENDENT & KEPT ALL MY PAPERWORK... THREE OR FOUR DAYS LATER, THEY CHARGED MY CREDIT CARD A DIFFERENT HIGHER AMOUNT & SINCE I WAS NO LONGER IN OHIO, I HAD TO CALL THEIR 1-800 NUMBER FOR A CREDIT CARD ADJUSTMENT... THEY PLAYED GAMES, SO I SAID, TWO CAN PLAY... I CALLED MASTERCARD AND REPORTED THE TOTAL TWO WEEK RENTAL AS A BOGUS FRAUDULENT CHARGE AGAINST MY CREDIT CARD & GUARANTEED MC THAT DOLLAR RENT A CAR DID NOT HAVE MY SIGNATURE OR MY AUTHOIZATION... WHICH WAS 100% TRUE BECAUSE IT WAS DONE BY PHONE... THE ORIGINAL BILL WAS OVER $946.00 PLUS TAX... THEY TRIED TO CHEAT ME AT A NEW BALANCE OF OVER $2,100.00 PLUS TAX... SO IN THE END, I PAID $0 DOLLARS... I DONT FEEL BAD AT ALL...
zdcatc12 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:2,147 Points:786,590 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:59:43 PM Ignore zdcatc12 Report Abuse Emerald Club at National has all my info ahead of time, never have to worry about anything like this happening.
retired23 Sophomore Author Oakland Posts:237 Points:150,405 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:54:27 PM Ignore retired23 Report Abuse Everybody spread the word that DOLLAR-RENT-A-CAR IS ripping people off. I have heard of this fraud from someone I know.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,901 Points:773,245 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:53:35 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse crooked
madison8359 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:9,031 Points:1,594,270 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:51:07 PM Ignore madison8359 Report Abuse One has to watch all the time.
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:8,517 Points:1,367,440 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:50:52 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse I decline the insurance every time and have never been charged.
eomc17 Champion Author Tucson Posts:1,822 Points:134,145 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:50:36 PM Ignore eomc17 Report Abuse Lucky I never rented from THESE fraudsters. Pretty scummy to do this to drivers, especially when the competition will happily rent to disgruntled Dollar customers.
sad4benghazi Rookie Author San Antonio Posts:13 Points:1,960 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:48:20 PM Ignore sad4benghazi Report Abuse If you think Dollar contracts are bad, check out Bank of America!
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,486 Points:2,103,740 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:47:07 PM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse Must watch everyone.
LostInNY Champion Author New York Posts:1,721 Points:648,795 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:43:53 PM Ignore LostInNY Report Abuse That's why you stick with the big name rentals....
GManCo Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:4,996 Points:952,340 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:42:06 PM Ignore GManCo Report Abuse Good for his follow through!!!
rippinusoff Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,408 Points:1,488,750 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:41:42 PM Ignore rippinusoff Report Abuse nope
cheapertvs Champion Author Richmond Posts:10,290 Points:2,742,695 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:40:54 PM Ignore cheapertvs Report Abuse Give them one more chance and then ban all participants from engaging in any remotely construed to be a car rental business. Also give them felony jail time.
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,985 Points:1,781,385 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:40:38 PM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse In business, be sure too read all that is written before signing a contrate. There is always a chance something can be hidden.
coyoterunner Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,925 Points:1,731,340 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:40:16 PM Ignore coyoterunner Report Abuse You MUST READ IT before you sign for it!!
FogCitySpotter Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,488 Points:521,425 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:40:03 PM Ignore FogCitySpotter Report Abuse You have to read what you sign. .
gaseye2010 Champion Author Maine Posts:1,161 Points:246,665 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:39:32 PM Ignore gaseye2010 Report Abuse That is why they want a credit card so you can drive, and you only signed off of the insurance for a certain period and you used it beyond that .
Glock26 Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,529 Points:633,360 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:37:25 PM Ignore Glock26 Report Abuse Greed on the part of the rental car company!!!
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,606 Points:2,507,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:37:08 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse and?
Badjef Champion Author Florida Posts:4,050 Points:818,815 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 11:36:39 PM Ignore Badjef Report Abuse Meow, meow, meow. Penny wise...