Several weeks before moving my family out of state, I used my credit card to secure a Budget Truck Rental reservation for a 24-foot moving truck. The reservation was to commence July 26. That morning, I called the local Budget Truck agency (Lincolnwood dealer) to inform them that I would be picking up the truck.
When I called, I was informed that they did not have any trucks available. They offered no explanation but, since I called, said they would contact their distribution center to see if they can find a truck for me. After not hearing from them for approximately 2 hours, I was forced to rent a truck from a more reliable competitor. When Budget finally responded, they said they may be able to get a truck sometime in the afternoon but refused to guarantee it.
I have since learned, upon researching the issue on the internet, that this seems to be a common practice for Budget Truck Rental. It has been suggested that during busy periods, the trucks are made available to those who are willing to pay more (and earlier, less profitable reservations are dropped with no explanation).
I find this practice distasteful. It's hard to imagine that a company could run a business in this manner.
Had I cancelled the reservation without a 48-hour notice, I would have been charged $50. Budget is apparently able to cancel reservations with no notice and at no cost. They should not get away with it.
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