Budget car rental
Additional unsubstantiated charges

AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!!

BEWARE that Budget compensates for inexpensive rental charges by charging for unsubstantiated services after the fact.

I reserved a vehicle at San Francisco Airport (SFO). I waited over an hour at the counter because Budget had overbooked. They were distributing vehicles as they were being returned. Budget was not cleaning or performing any other maintenance upon the return of the vehicles. I finally received a vehicle (not the type I reserved), and the engine was still hot from the previous renter. It was obvious that the vehicle was not cleaned; there were crumbs in the console, and my wife scraped off something from the glove compartment door. Since I needed to pick somebody up at the airport and had already waited an inordinate amount of time, I took the car and was glad to leave the Budget complex.

Upon return, the agent sent a text or email stating that the car was successfully reviewed and checked in. No problem. About a week later, I received a text stating that I owed 250 dollars for cleaning the car. I contacted Budget, and the representative said he would look into it and get back to me. He did not get back.

I further contacted Budget through the BBB in New Jersey (home office) and asked:
1. What needed cleaning? Can Budget substantiate the need for cleaning?
2. Was it interior or exterior?
3. What time did the previous renter return the vehicle?

There was no reply from Budget substantiating the need for special cleaning. Budget charged my credit card. This is extortion since they have my card number but give no information about why they are charging, except for vague claims about needing cleaning. They refuse to delete the charge.

The whole Budget experience does not warrant the inexpensive quote for the rental.

Company: Budget car rental
Country: USA

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