Finally Settling the Matter
(6-17-02)

In response to my escalated complaint against Dollar Rent-A-Car and their Student Advantage pricing practices, I have received a collection of responses from the Better Business Bureau of Tulsa as well as the two state attorneys general offices I complained to, for the states of Connecticut and Oklahoma, as seen below on the right hand column.

All of the agencies forwarded to me the response they received from Dollar Rent-A-Car. The full text of this response (quoted from that sent to the BBB) follows; as you can see, they're sticking to their guns about including the underage fees within their Student Advantage rates. I'm amused by the last line, where they are "disturbed" that I would file a complaint regarding their advertising practice of stating "NO underage fee", when they fully acknowledge in this response that it's included. Including it doesn't mean that there isn't one to me, which is what their advertising clearly implies; am I the only one who really thinks that? C'mon now. Ms. Beasley further states that there may be times when paying the "best available rate" with the underage fee is actually CHEAPER than using the special Student Advantage rate ... how ludicrous.

These agencies have closed their investigations temporarily, pending any further complaints from other like-minded individuals. That means it is left up to you, as the consumer, to be the judge as to what "No underage fee" means to you. That's precisely what I'm "disturbed" by. Buyer beware, especially you students.

May 7, 2002

To: Mari James, Better Business Bureau
From: Shannah Beasley, Dollar Customer Center / Executive Desk

Mari:

This fax is in reference to Mr. Michael W. regarding his Student Advantage rate.

As Mr. W. mentioned, our manager Alicia Andrews wrote to him on February 25th in answer to his original complaint. Our Student Advantage rate is a corporate rate that includes the underage and additional driver fees. When a customer books a reservation using the Student Advantage corporate ID number, he/she will not be charged an underage fee on the rental contract and he/she will receive a Student Advantage discount of 15%. There are times at some locations when it would be more cost effective for the customer to choose the best available rate and pay the underage fee. The customer can choose either option -- whichever is better for him/her.

As Alicia indicated, the Student Advantage rates were under a black out for the rental period that Mr. W. was requesting. We do not use deceptive advertising or pricing practices and we are disturbed that Mr. W. has suggested this.

If you need any more information on this case, please let me know.

Shannah Beasley
Dollar Customer Center, Executive Desk