5 ms·

I had a situation where I found a fantastic deal on the company's own site for a Volvo XC-90, which I booked. When I got to the location they told me they have

I had a situation where I found a fantastic deal on the company's own site for a Volvo XC-90, which I booked. When I got to the location they told me they have never had or seen any Volvo model. They offered me a Cadillac XT4, a worse and smaller car, at a significantly higher price than the deal I had booked. Again, booked on their own website. It was egregious enough that it felt like it should be illegal.

smsm42 5y ago
It might be, but what you're gonna do, sue them from behind the counter? You probably don't even have independent (i.e. not relying on their website) proof that's what the site said... But even if you do, how many people would bother? Eventually, somebody would launch a class action, but by then clever marketing person who launched that promo would already be promoted.
listenallyall 5y ago
> at a significantly higher price you didn't have a screenshot, printout, or email with the reserved price clearly indicated? (on second thought, car rentals, especially at airports, generally have a huge markup due to airport facility fees, service fees, and local taxes -- but even that should have been clearly displayed on the confirmation you received at the time you made the reservation).
- 1123581321 5y ago
  I'm guessing he didn't reserve it and just showed up as a walk-in. I could see someone new to renting cars doing that, but it's a good way to pay a premium for urgency and suffer luck of the draw. Anyone experienced should know better as online reservations lock in the price, often at a discount, and guarantee the vehicle size or larger without paying more for the larger vehicle.
  - listenallyall 5y ago
    > I'm guessing he didn't reserve it perhaps, although he said "booked" 3 times.
    - 1123581321 5y ago
      True. Must have been a hole-in-the-wall local place if he actually booked it. I don't know why he wouldn't have pulled out the confirmation at the counter, either.
- cowmoo728 5y ago
  I did have a confirmation email that listed the price and the car, the person behind the counter and the manager said they couldn't honor that deal because the car didn't exist and I had paid the rate for a lower tier of car. If I wanted a car that could fit 4 adults and luggage I had to pay the difference. It was Sixt in downtown Manhattan. Searching for "Sixt bait and switch" returns a fair number of stories and reviews that are similar to my experience.

smsm42 5y ago

It might be, but what you're gonna do, sue them from behind the counter? You probably don't even have independent (i.e. not relying on their website) proof that's what the site said... But even if you do, how many people would bother? Eventually, somebody would launch a class action, but by then clever marketing person who launched that promo would already be promoted.

listenallyall 5y ago

> at a significantly higher price you didn't have a screenshot, printout, or email with the reserved price clearly indicated? (on second thought, car rentals, especially at airports, generally have a huge markup due to airport facility fees, service fees, and local taxes -- but even that should have been clearly displayed on the confirmation you received at the time you made the reservation).

1123581321 5y ago
I'm guessing he didn't reserve it and just showed up as a walk-in. I could see someone new to renting cars doing that, but it's a good way to pay a premium for urgency and suffer luck of the draw. Anyone experienced should know better as online reservations lock in the price, often at a discount, and guarantee the vehicle size or larger without paying more for the larger vehicle.
- listenallyall 5y ago
  > I'm guessing he didn't reserve it perhaps, although he said "booked" 3 times.
  - 1123581321 5y ago
    True. Must have been a hole-in-the-wall local place if he actually booked it. I don't know why he wouldn't have pulled out the confirmation at the counter, either.
cowmoo728 5y ago
I did have a confirmation email that listed the price and the car, the person behind the counter and the manager said they couldn't honor that deal because the car didn't exist and I had paid the rate for a lower tier of car. If I wanted a car that could fit 4 adults and luggage I had to pay the difference. It was Sixt in downtown Manhattan. Searching for "Sixt bait and switch" returns a fair number of stories and reviews that are similar to my experience.