Beware of This Tricky Car Rental Trick
You probably already know that car rental companies are trying to resell renter insurance to you (in many cases, your credit card may already cover you ). Another tactic they use to squeeze more money out of you? Make you think the update is free.
This is called the “sign here trick,” and USA Today reports on a customer who recently fell for it:
When Dzurik, a Tucson-based project manager, recently rented a car from Hertz in Milwaukee, a rep asked him if he would like to upgrade. No mention of cost.
“Of course,” he said. A quick signature and the employee put the keys to the Hyundai Elantra in his hand.
Later, long after he returned the sedan, he revised the bill: Hertz added $ 162 to his final bill. And with his signature he agreed to pay.
Basically, the car rental company offers you an upgrade without a price, but when you sign the contract, it includes the cost of the upgrade, indicated in small print. It’s easy to argue that the buyer should know better, and this is a strong argument, but the whole point of the tactic is to get the buyer not to question the upsell by implying that it is free. And, apparently, it works.
However, this is a good reminder to always ask if there are additional costs, and of course, read the fine print.
Car Rental Attempts and How to Reject Them | USA Today via Consumerist