SR_Krause Wrote:
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> The key to dealing with rental agencies: Bring it
> back clean and without obvious damage (I.E.
> "walk-around" damage). Having rented cars for work
> multiple times that not only went off the
> government roads, but were down in holes the
> rental agency never knew existed..... One trip
> cost me and my partner about $15 in quarters to
> wash the coal slurry off it, but we never heard a
> single peep from the rental agency. That's the
> trip where I found that a Jeep Liberty is
> worthless in sloppy mine pit conditions.
>
> SRK
I just hope folks don't think it is OK to rent and abuse a vehicle, and consider that acceptable practice just as long as the car is returned clean and with no, obvious "walk around" damage. If anyone does think that's OK, just imagine how you would feel if your best friend borrowed your car and used the same approach.....or perhaps how you would feel if you ended up purchasing that car some day from the rental agency, because you could not afford a brand new car. Rental agencies typically do end up selling the cars in their fleets, many to private individuals.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a huge fan of rental agencies or their sometimes rather hostile practices. Dealing with rental agencies is the WORST part of travel. But that said, when you borrow, rent or lease someone else's property, you should treat it as if you personally own it, which in the case of a damaged or destroyed rental car, you ultimately just might.
/Kevin Madore