Don't use Budget rent a car

[thepharcyde]

I moved house in December, and was issued a parket ticket, which I never received a ticket for. Where I used to live was all parking controlled, and I had a valid permit for my car, but unfortunately, the council would not issue a temporary pass without registration details for the van I intended on hiring because Budget could not guarantee what would be available (fair enough). The controls were only between 10am - 12pm 2 hours, so we loaded up in the evening and set off. We still had some stuff left in London, so we drove back and while my g/f waited in the van, I double parked for a max of 5 mins, until a parking attendant was sniffing around, so I drove off, came back round the block and loaded up the remaining boxes on the pavement.

Anyway thought nothing off it, until i noticed a rogue debit from my debit card a month later from Budget for £43. I phoned up and asked what this was for, and it turned out to be an administration charge as I had received a parking fine!!!. I contested the ticket with the council, and only a week ago it was revoked because I never received a ticket, and told them the situation (loading, rent a van unable to get a confirmed reg etc).

So I phoned Budget, and asked them to refund me my admin charge, and they said no problem, fax in the details etc. I decided to scan all the docs etc, and sent them an email to which there response was.

Dear Mr Gilbert,

Thank you for your recent communication.

I have investigated the admin charge and can confirm that we will not be able to refund this fee.

This is because the amount of £43.00 has already been paid out by Budget in admin charges, to trace your booking and to communicate with the council in regards to this ticket. As this ticket was an error by the council, I advise that you claim the £43.00 back from them. Sending them a copy of your Rental Agreement, showing the admin fee.

Kind regards,
Clare Wilks

So now I have to wait possible another 3 months for a refund from the council, so in all this parking fine has cost me £43 anyhow.

What pees me off, is that they do not notify you by letter when they intend on taking money out, and on their terms and conditions, it stipulates a fee will be taken in the event of a parking/speeding ticket etc, but they could charge whatever they feel fit! £43 for some monkey to reply to the coucil with my details!

DONT USE BUDGET/THEY SERVE THEMSELVES NOT THE CUSTOMER!

 

[Luke]

I think that most companies operate the same terms. It sucks, but there really isn't much you can do about it.