$8 a Gallon?!
By ShepherdSpy
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
Omagh, Northern Ireland
June 17, 2008 11:30am CST
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/2008-06-16-car-rental-gas-price_N.htm?csp=Travel
....if You don't fill up your Rental car before returning it !
Has this happened to You? Would you return a rental car near empty at these prices?
3 responses
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
17 Jun 08
Gas prices that high are ridiculous,I have never rented a car from a car rental place,but if I did,I would still fill the tank up,because I think it would be rude and improper to take it back with am empty gas tank, besides I would not want anyone to bring a car back to me with a empty gas tank,so why would I do it to someone else.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
18 Jun 08
I don't think there's anything new with this practise..apart from the extortionate prices! I don't rent cars often,but when I did,I was careful to return it refuelled to avoid a surcharge....A few years ago,I hired one of the "Easycars" in Scotland- (Background,for Non-UK'ers!) EasyJet Is one of the UK/Europe Budget airlines-they work "stripped to the bone"-maximum seats,minimum turnaround times,pay for everything onboard,but efficient.."Easycar" is an offshoot that does car rental-I think they had one model of car,the Merc."A" Class-the car's tank is almost empty when you get it,but their depots are pretty much all within a stone's throw of an airport,and there was a garage close by they'll direct you to..fly with the airline,you get a discount on the car..
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
19 Jun 08
Thats cool,and I can understand how it can be a pain sometimes,renting a car period is usually a pain,and especially if you cant rent a car that you like,have a good day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
17 Jun 08
I agree that it seems opportunistic and iniquitous (just let me conduct the violins, though, while they claim that they 'aren't gas stations and the cost of storing gas is so high these days!')
I never heard of gas prices this high from a hire company! I was once told off for filling the car up with cheap gas before I brought it back but that was a one-off by a company that obviously expected to make more on empty tanks than on the rental! The good lady (who was MD of the family firm) objected that the quality of gas wasn't as good! Might have been true in those days ... but I vowed I'd never rent from them again - and didn't.
Yes, I always make sure that the fuel is where it was when I started when I rent a car. I know that rental companies charge over the odds for gas if they can get away with it. Double the price is DEFINITELY not on, though. I'm glad that Maryland seems to have checked that one somewhat.
