PRICELINE.COM ripoff Rental Car Ripoff Syracuse New York
Used priceline.com services in June 2008 to purchase a one month ECONOMY car rental from Budget Rental Car at the Syracuse, NY airport. The rental agreement took place approximately two weeks before I was to pick up the vehicle.
When I arrived at the Buget Rental Car counter (to pick up the car), I was told that they only had SUV's available ... and that I would have to take one. Budget said there would be no price increase (from ECONOMY CLASS to SUV CLASS).
Unfortunately, an SUV sits too high (too tall) to park in a city parking garage. Not to mention the higher fuel expenses associated with an SUV.
I asked the Budget Rental Car employee what my alternatives were. They explained to either take the SUV or cancel the contract. I took the latter option and cancelled the contract. Remember ... I specifically rented an ECONOMY CAR and not an SUV.
I contacted Priceline.com the next day and was informed that they WOULD NOT REFUND any of my money since that was their policy. I was told it did not matter that BUDGET RENTAL CAR did not uphold their end of the agreement.
I then contacted Visa Credit Card (who I had used to purchased the rental car agreement from priceline.com). They in turn contacted priceline.com.
Two days later, I get an e-mail from priceline.com stating they would refund all of my fees ... except for a $15 processing charge.
For the next three weeks I tried contacted priceline.com for a refund of this $15 fee. However, I have been given the runaround and excuse after excuse as to why they won't refund this final $15 fee.
Today, I contacted Visa Credit Card services who told me they would issue a chargeback to Priceline.com for the remaining $15.
BOTTOM LINE .... STAY AWAY FROM PRICELINE.COM
They are an Indian based company that is a complete ripoff. They lie to their customers. They do not refund your money.
WILLIAM SHATTNER (ADVERTISEMENT SPOKESPERSON FOR PRICELINE.COM) SHOULD BE ASHAMED AS WELL.
AGAIN .... STAY AWAY FROM PRICELINE.COM
Johnny in Syracuse, NY
Johnny
Syracuse, New York
U.S.A.