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August 31, 2017 Budget Rent-A-Car 7135 Gilespie Las Vegas, NV 89119 Dear Sir or Madam, Upon arriving to Las Vegas on August 15th following a four-hour flight from Florida, we went to pick up our prepaid rental car. We had reserved a Chrysler 200 or similar vehicle and prepaid the $586.50 inclusive of taxes and fees.

We were informed there were no Chrysler 200s available and was offered a Kia Soul. Not wanting the Kia, the agent promptly asked if I had a Costco account. I said no, but did have a Sam's Club account. She said that would be the same and said I could thus receive a 35% discount on an upgrade.

She offered both a Premium and a luxury upgrade daily rate. Obviously upset about the situation, I left the desk to speak with my wife. The agent came over to us and said her manager would allow her to take us to see the vehicles offered. We proceeded to follow her out as she continued to push the Luxury upgrade saying it was the best for the price.

A lone Cadillac was prominently parked nearby. As we passed, we told the agent we were not interested in a Luxury vehicle. We were then shown two Toyota Avalons and we chose one. Though I did not agree with the upgrade, under duress I reluctantly signed for the upgrade.

This brought the total cost of the two-week rental to $1,042.38. Not only was this a classic bait and switch, I could have rented the Avalon in advance and paid only $624.86. (See attached Avalon rental cost). To make matters worse, upon leaving security stopped us because the car's registration did not match the paperwork.

We had to return to the counter and have the agent re-do the rental papers. She spoke to another agent saying "I see what happened", though she never informed us what the problem was. After wasting an hour of time, we finally departed only to realize later that the vehicle had a strong odor of smoke. Though the car's driver's side window had a no smoking'' sticker, a prior renter had indeed heavily smoked and Budget neglected to have the car cleaned.

We had no choice at that point, other than wasting additional vacation time. A Kia Soul is NOT similar to a Chrysler 200.

(See attached specification reports on both vehicles.) Due to this breach of contract by Budget-Rent-A-Car, we demand a full refund of the upgrade cost of $455.88. This was not a customer friendly experience.

Reason of review: Pricing issue.

Monetary Loss: $456.

Preferred solution: Full refund.

Budget Rent A Car Cons: Being taken advantage of as a tourist.

Location: 9555 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97220, USA

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Guest

Don'.t rent from budget and or avis same company...UTT up the ticket scam...they automatically put you in a more expensive car and when you turn it in your bill is $200 more....they scam everyone like that.....I have contacted the district attorney in my location to look into this....It is hard to believe a large company is doing this.. be warned !!!!!

Guest

Bait and switch is illegal, report to BBB and the attorney general of the state you rented the vehicle in.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1607824

I learned later that a Kia Soul is, by Budget's and some other rental company's, classified as a "Standard" car as is the Chrysler 200. Thus technically this was not a bait and switch.

Though on a moral issue, the specifications of a Kia Soul does not come close to that of a Chrysler 200 and should NOT be classified as a "Standard" car.

There is a reason Kia uses hamsters in their commercials. I for one would not feel safe driving a Kia Soul.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1607895

I work at avis budget and i can tell you a soul is NOT a standard it is a compact.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1607824

2017 Chrysler 200 Specifications MSRP $25,705 Engine & Transmission Cylinders4 Displacement2.4 L/144 Fuel InductionSequential MPI Horsepower @ Rpm184 @ 6250 Torque @ Rpm173 @ 4600 Valves Turning Radius39.8 ft. City Mpg.23 Highway Mpg.36 Fuel Capacity15.8 gal.

Tires & Wheels Spare TireCompact Wheel TypeAluminum Wheelbase108 in. Tire Wheel SizeP215/55VR17 Rear Tire Wheel SizeP215/55VR17 Dimensions & Capacity Seating5 Head RoomFront: 38.7 in., Rear: 37.4 in. Leg RoomFront: 42.2 in., Rear: 37.6 in. Shoulder RoomFront: 58.5 in., Rear: 56.7 in.

Height58.7 in. Width73.6 in. Length192.3 in. Curb Weight3473 lbs.

Axle Ratio3.73:1 Towing Capacity GVWR Ground Clearance5.8 in. Payload Trunk Capacity16 cu. ft. Safety Features Alarm SystemStandard Child LocksStandard Child Seat AnchorNot Available Engine BlockingStandard Front BrakesABS, Disc Rear BrakesABS, Disc Driver Side AirbagYes Passenger Side AirbagYes Head Protection AirbagYes Rear Protection AirbagNo Side Impact AirbagYes Crash Test Ratings Rating - Front Driver5 Rating - Front Passenger5 Rating - Front Side5 Rating - Rear Side5 Rating - Rollover4 2017 Kia Soul photos, specs and reviews โ€ขMSRP $18,595 โ€ข โ€ข 2017 Kia Soul Specifications Engine & Transmission Cylinders4 Displacement1.6 L/97 Fuel InductionGasoline Direct Injection Horsepower @ Rpm130 @ 6300 Torque @ Rpm118 @ 4850 Valves Turning Radius34.8 ft.

City Mpg.25 Highway Mpg.30 Fuel Capacity14.2 gal. Tires & Wheels Spare Tire Wheel TypeAluminum Wheelbase101.2 in. Tire Wheel SizeP205/60HR16 Rear Tire Wheel SizeP205/60HR16 Dimensions & Capacity Seating5 Head RoomFront: 39.6 in., Rear: 39.5 in. Leg RoomFront: 40.9 in., Rear: 39.1 in.

Shoulder RoomFront: 55.5 in., Rear: 54.7 in. Height63.5 in. Width70.9 in. Length163 in.

Curb Weight2942 lbs.

Axle Ratio3.96:1 Towing Capacity GVWR Ground Clearance5.9 in. Payload Trunk Capacity Safety Features Alarm SystemNo Data Child LocksStandard Child Seat AnchorNot Available Engine BlockingNo Data Front BrakesABS, Disc Rear BrakesABS, Disc Driver Side AirbagYes Passenger Side AirbagYes Head Protection AirbagYes Rear Protection AirbagNo Side Impact AirbagYes Crash Test Ratings Rating - Front Driver5 Rating - Front Passenger4 Rating - Front Side5 Rating - Rear Side5 Rating - Rollover4

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