Car Rental Know How |
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Donna Fuller
November 7, 2013
We have all at one time or another had to hire a car, and we will all at some point in our future be faced with hiring a car again.
When it comes to car rentals it seems that everyone has a horror story or two, some inconvenient, while others are just downright dangerous. Whether it be a removals truck that has no second gear or a car that has faulty brakes, it is always a risky business when deciding on who to go with when hiring your next rental vehicle.
This article aims to give you the consumer a list of things to be cognisant of when deciding on who to go through for your next car hire.
5 Things you need to know before renting your next car
Here are some handy hints to take to the negotiating table when next hiring yourself a rental car;
1. Cheaper is not always better- Rule number one. The amount of horror stories that have come out of friends and family hiring on the cheap tends to make one believe that for the $30 you might save on your rental it is going to cost you a lot more in terms of emotional stress and trauma. There is a reason why budget car rentals are able to offer you cheaper rentals and that is mainly (but not always) because their fleet of vehicles is not in the same condition as their competitors. Always be wary; if it seems too good to be true, chances are it is.
2. Make sure you do a thorough inspection- Most car rental companies are fairly above board when it comes to damage to vehicles and the like but that does not mean you can let your guard down for a second. Make sure you do a thorough check over the car with the car rental attendant and point out anything they miss. Take photos of the vehicle to insure you're backed by evidence.
3. Take a photo of the odometer and fuel gauge- This is an oldie but a goodie. When you return from your journey an attendant will claim that you left with a full tank and an arbitrary amount of kilometres on the odometer, arguing you need to pay for a full tank and that you have exceeded your mileage. Bring up the photos of your half-filled tank and odometer and watch him choke!
4. Read the fine print- Make sure you read over your rental agreement carefully, it may seem like a chore but it will save you from stress later on, and potentially end up saving you money.
5. Don't accept a downgrade- Car rental dealers will often try and downgrade you to a car that is not in the same league as the one you have paid for by saying the last one was rented without their knowledge, don't buy it!