Visitor

Jul 29, 2023

Unethical practice at best

Hired a car from Budget. When choosing a car they are specified in price brackets from cheapest/smallest/more basic upwards towards more executive cars. Having travelled to Ireland at least twice a year for last 22 years we decided to pay a bit of a premium for the intermediate bracket (priced above mini, economy and compact). For context having now had 50+ car hires from Dublin airport this is the first time I’ve ever negative reviewed. We were given a beaten up (loads of scratches, dents) Dacia Sandero - and the most basic model - I.e wind up windows, had to open the boot with the key (I.e no button on the actual boot, not openable via key fob), radio console also incredibly basic), no air con, etc. Due to running late there was no time to challenge this at the time. On the same day four hours later brother in law also hired from budget a mini car (I.e what is bracketed at the most basic and cheapest option) and got a Seat Ibiza, far more features, mod cons, a better and higher spec car etc and at a fraction of the price, making it hard to comprehend how despite paying THREE pay brackets higher we were given a smaller, cheaper and more basic car. Raised the issue with the customer service email mid rental (email remains ignored). When raising concern at rental return staff profusely apologetic (hard to deny when the beaten up car and receipt is in front of them) who suggested I raise the concerns with customer service. Explained I had and had been ignored and the look of silence from the staff said it all. In summary I found this practice unethical at best, and was clearly very different to what I had been sold and paid a chunk more for. In future pay the same extra and take a punt with one of the other big players. Add. I note the reply below and have to say disappointing to read. 1) This idea if your paying just under €400 and want a car that has luxuries such as electric windows or a button to open the boot you should request it when ordering is nonsense. 2) completely ignores the point about giving someone else in the family a superior car despite them paying three price bands lower. 3) Also no acknowledgement about the quality of the car that was pretty beaten up, scratched/dented 4) The email address being very busy - well another two weeks have passed and still no reply. This clearly triangulates with other reviews here about getting a reply when an issue is raised