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A summary from using Dollar on Swenson

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by bruceb, Mar 23, 2016.

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  1. bruceb

    bruceb Low-Roller

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    I know on a few other threads there have been questions about using Dollar on Swenson
    to avoid the airport taxes. Here is my opinion from Tuesday, Mar. 22.
    Low inventory level, I counted 6 cars on the lot. I did not pay much attention but I did notice
    a Hyundai Accent (similar to a Ford Focus, apparently), a Hyundai Elantra and a few more comparable cars.

    I had reserved the Ford Focus (or similar) and was given a 2014 Hyundai Accent with 46,000 miles and noticeable scuffs
    on the rear bumper (corner) and under drivers side bumper. The bumper cover was " popped loose" from someone curbing the car.
    I pooped it back into place and had the scratches/scuffes noted.

    No customers waiting inside. Noticed 2 counter employees, 2 others (either VSA/Trasnpoerters or mgr).
    I could not believe the lack of any attempt to upsell. The conversation was something likes this:
    ME: I have a reservation for a focus or equiv. for Bell. (as handing CC and DL)
    Counter person looks at some paperwork, opens drawer and puts keys on counter saying, we have a Hyndai Accent for you.
    My reply: "That will work". and this is where it gets weird......
    Dollar Emp, "Would you like to fill the gas yourself"
    me: Yes, I'll return it full.
    Dollar Emp: "Dp you have your own insurance"/
    me: Yes and between it and the credit card I am completely covered, including loss of use.
    Dollar Emp: It is the Accent parked at the end, and you will be returning it the the airport, your total is $xxx.xx
    (used the xx.xxx because the amount was a few dollars above original quote of $108.69 due to picking car up before 2:30 pm
    making the rental time 4 days 2.75 hrs instead of the original 4 days 2.0 hrs)

    For a high mileage car (in rental agency terms) the car now has an extra 100 miles and drives great and the interior is perfect.
    I am not super picky about my rental cars, look decent, drive properly and don't smell. So this one is doing great.

    The only concern I would have using the Swenson lacation would be the low inventory level may no lead to options if you are not happy with your
    (reserved) car. I know I will be using them next trip if the prices are as much lower that the airport as they were this trip.

    I used lyft to get to the location form the airport.
    It is only a $5 trip, used the link provided by Scott in the stickies for a free trip.
    I am returning the car to the airport, although Lyft driver Michael pointed out that I can xreturn the car to the
    Swenson locations, save $10, and call for a Lyft for $5 and save $5. (maybe next time, although is is probably quicker to
    do that than the Rentacar shuttle.

    bruce
     
  2. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    Your review concerns me because I would considered the Accent to be comparable to a Ford Fiesta, not a Focus. Maybe that's my perception that's off but I always considered an Elantra to be the Focus equivalent.
     
  3. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the review. Your counter experience is what I usually get at many agencies in many states. Sometimes I get the upsell, other times I don't.

    I drove by the dollar on Swenson last week and didn't notice much of an inventory of cars during the day. As you mentioned, you may have a problem if you don't like the car they assigned you since there may not be any other available cars on the lot.
     
  4. bruceb

    bruceb Low-Roller

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    I agree. that is why I pointed it out in the review (twice). About 6 months ago, I assisted my daughter in buying a new car. We drove and reviewed more Sonics, Fiestas, Cruzes, Darts, and Focus' than I care to remember, and yes, I agree the Fiesta and Accent are comparable. Fortunately, I prefer a small car and at the rate I got I was happy. As a side note, I still remember about 5 yrs ago a rep was giving it his all to get me to upgrade from a compact, he finally tried the, "What do you drive at home?" My reply, a ford escort zx2....end of conversation.
     
  5. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    Thanks Bruceb for the great review. Nice to have this option available.
     
  6. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    I'm surprised! I quit using Dollar in LV mainly due to one total jerk agent giving me a hard time and total lies about declining insurance.
     
  7. NandJfrmNJ

    NandJfrmNJ VIP Whale

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    I just cancelled my reservations with the Swenson location because they require you to pay for an additional driver. I'm renting from Budget on Tropicana to avoid the airport fees. Thanks for the report- with the low inventory, all the more reason not to rent from them.
     
  8. bruceb

    bruceb Low-Roller

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    That was what amazed me. I know that Hertz's policy (and training), which I would assume would be the same with DTAG (dollar/thrifty), is to make 3 attempts to sell insurance,
    starting with the most expensive (profitable) option. The same with gas. Maybe she was new, or slept through that day of training.
    bruce
    ps Lying is not part of the training.
     
  9. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I know who you are talking about. I experienced him before and never will again. Nowadays I will rent from Thrifty so I don't have to worry about the guy. When I rented from Dollar I would let others go ahead of me to avoid this guy. I usually was out the door ahead of the people who went to this guy.

    This guy had the nerve to ask about my insurance coverage and even gave me "advice" on increasing or decreasing my coverage. He was obnoxious and felt insulted that I continued to decline the optional insurance even though he warned/scared me with stories about people who got into accidents and didn't take the optional insurance.

    Never again will I ever go to this guy.
     
  10. calcuttaman

    calcuttaman Low-Roller

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    Crap, just picked up there about an hour ago. Didn't count but there was way more then 6. 20-25 is my guess.

    This is the fastest ever for renting a car. No one else in there and I was in and out in 7-8 minutes.

    Bonus, my rate for 2 weeks was originally going to be $207.44. But now its only $187.30!!!

    I got an Elantra with 26,000 miles and it was super clean.
     
  11. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    This guy was totally full of it. I still remember the conversation. Went something like this:

    He: ... and do you want full coverage or just the LDW?

    Me: No insurance please.

    He: What?

    Me: Yes, my credit card covers me.

    He: That's no good here.

    Me: Huh?

    He: We don't accept that here.

    Me: The coverage is for ME not for YOU.

    I kept declining and he would not let it drop. He finally said to the effect of "OK, you'll be fully responsible for this, that the other yada yada"

    Me: WHUT-EVAH!

    Jerk! :(
     
  12. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I agree with dmr. Unfortunately the clerk makes a commission off the "extras" that he sells so some of them give a harder sell then others. I experienced this guy that dmr describes so I know that he is an obnoxious SOB that will say anything to get you to buy the extra insurance. As I said before, I will never go to the guy again.
     
  13. bluesdude

    bluesdude VIP Whale

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    I am signed up for dollar express. I avoid the counter and go straight to where the cars are. I still talk to a person but don't get the hard sell and there usually is only one person in front of you. It is very quick!
     
    Dead & Co with my son! June 4 or 5th - June 8th
  14. eksantirik

    eksantirik High-Roller

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    That upsell speech and the scare tactics were the reasons I stopped renting at Thrifty/Dollar. For the last three times, I exclusively used Alamo, which is great in terms of counter experience.
     
  15. ScubaStever

    ScubaStever Tourist

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    Rented from Dollar Swenson at the end of April towards the end of business day. I used Dollar Express but it appeared they don't have it at this location. I was asked to sit while they found a car for me. The woman in front of me returning her car had damaged it and was in tears when they were telling her that she was responsbile for it. The only car available had been smoked in and they said I could drive it to the airport Dollar and swap it. There was a convertible Camaro up front and I was offered that for an extra $5 a day for my 6 day rental. Put 444 miles on it on a trip out to St. George P1020155.jpg
     
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