4 ms·

I agree that it's wrong for rental car companies to use the term "reserve" in this was, but it's by now standard practice. They absolutely do not have a physica

I agree that it's wrong for rental car companies to use the term "reserve" in this was, but it's by now standard practice. They absolutely do not have a physical car (or one of a set of a class of car) guaranteed to be available. Instead, they make statistical predictions; usually they do have the car, or at worse a nicer car that they will upgrade you to for free. But when there is a supply shock, all bets are off.

Ansil849 5y ago
If I reserve something, I expect it to be there. Car rental companies should not be allowed to play the game of lying to consumers under the understanding that lying is "by now standard practice". This is what consumer protection laws are explicitly for. If a car rental company wants to 'play the odds' and say that they're likely, but not definitely, going to have a car available, then sure that's their prerogative, BUT then they should not be legally allowed to make it appear like you are actually reserving a vehicle that will be there...that is fraud. Let's look at an analogy with even just the same object. Let's say I run a car dealership. 9 times out of 10 you get the car that I told you you're going to get. But every tenth time, I just happen to be out of stock because I didn't predict that a market could have shortages and didn't plan accordingly. In that instance, I then give you a completely different car than the one you thought you were buying, oh and this one also happens to reek of vomit and smoke. This would not in a million years be acceptable.
- listenallyall 5y ago
  > then give you a completely different car than the one you thought you were buying Like the Wagon Queen Family Truckster? Damn fine automobile, beats the hell out of the sports wagon.
- jessriedel 5y ago
  I think you, personally, have no right to complain because you know what "reserve" means in this context. Every single car rental company does this. If another consumer is misled because they honestly interpreted "reserve" literally, they might have a claim. But you and I would not.

Ansil849 5y ago

If I reserve something, I expect it to be there. Car rental companies should not be allowed to play the game of lying to consumers under the understanding that lying is "by now standard practice". This is what consumer protection laws are explicitly for. If a car rental company wants to 'play the odds' and say that they're likely, but not definitely, going to have a car available, then sure that's their prerogative, BUT then they should not be legally allowed to make it appear like you are actually reserving a vehicle that will be there...that is fraud. Let's look at an analogy with even just the same object. Let's say I run a car dealership. 9 times out of 10 you get the car that I told you you're going to get. But every tenth time, I just happen to be out of stock because I didn't predict that a market could have shortages and didn't plan accordingly. In that instance, I then give you a completely different car than the one you thought you were buying, oh and this one also happens to reek of vomit and smoke. This would not in a million years be acceptable.

listenallyall 5y ago
> then give you a completely different car than the one you thought you were buying Like the Wagon Queen Family Truckster? Damn fine automobile, beats the hell out of the sports wagon.
jessriedel 5y ago
I think you, personally, have no right to complain because you know what "reserve" means in this context. Every single car rental company does this. If another consumer is misled because they honestly interpreted "reserve" literally, they might have a claim. But you and I would not.