DEAR BUDGET

Dear Budget,

It is 3am in the morning Pacific Time, which means it is 6am in the morning East Coast Time. Yet, I'm taking the time to write this so I can capture my thoughts immediately. You have lost a customer of nearly 4 years. And I am not sorry. I signed up for a Fastbreak account back in the day because we had a corporate account, and I continued to use Budget out of convenience. I memorized my Fastbreak number. I had an online account set-up. I used to have an Enterprise account and a Hertz account at my old job, so I know there are other better choices out there. I went into my travel site at work and was happy to find 3 other options with corporate rates. So I am leaving you. FINALLY!!!

A few things have disturbed me over the years. I never really liked the choice of cars in the cities I frequented. I've driven every aweful car including my least favorites: HHR/Cobalt/Malibu. I rented a car in Ireland but when I made the reservation over the phone, the genius who made my reservation said that the driver's seat was on the left just like the US. I made a mistake when I made my account initially and signed up for some random insurance that I wasn't supposed to. Every time I go to the Fastbreak counter, I have to manually decline it. The folks at the counter will tell me to go to my account and change my preferences. I did. The website tells me to call a 1800 number. I do. The folks on the phone say I need to write a letter, get it notarized and mail it in to change my preferences. REALLY? I decide that it's not worth it. I'll just decline each time. I also rented a Garmin in Seattle/Portland. I love MY PERSONAL Garmin, but they gave me a piece of crap that didn't even stay plugged in. I also can't stand driving a Chevy of any kind. And there is no way for me to mention that in my Fastbreak account so that you never assign me one.

What tipped me over today was the woman at the counter at SFO. She just annoys me, and I see her 2 out of 3 times I pick up a car here. I got in close to 2am in the morning today, and went down to the Fastbreak counter on level 3. No one is there. (I should mention that Avis's counter is still open). I take my luggage back up the elevator to the counter on 4. I tell the woman at the counter (her name is something you can eat) that they should have a sign that says that the Fastbreak counter is closed so that no one heads down there after hours. She tells me, "Well, you should know that Fastbreak is only available from 7am-11pm." So it's MY fault that I don't know?? Her white glitter nails with neon colored flowers accents typing away are annoying me now. She tells me I have a Chevy Cobalt. Now, I'm really mad. She laughs when I tell her I will drive anything but a Chevy. Of course, I change it to a Toyota Corolla. I decline the insurance like I'm supposed to... It's 2:30am by the time I get down to my car which is parked outside. Trunk doesn't open with the button. Have to use the key. Engine doesn't start. Call over the Budget lady down on 3. She tries to start the engine. Laughs. She says the battery is dead. I go back up to 4. Woman at the counter is attending to newbie travelers. When finally it is my turn, she laughs when I tell her the batter is dead. IT'S NEARLY 3AM! DO NOT LAUGH AT THIS SITUATION!!! IT'S NOT FUNNY! Everything about this woman now is annoying me. I get another set of keys. No sorry. No mention of an upgrade or any concession. Nothing. I could have made a fuss, but I was too tired, and it is so not worth it.

As I was walking to my new car, I realized. What am I doing with Budget? I was never happy with them to begin with. I could be choosing my car in the lot like you can with Hertz. I shall take the 15 minutes to sign up with someone else!!

I got to the Westin and what a world of difference in customer service!! Front desk greets me by name bc they knew I was coming in late. Checked in within 5 min. Even at 3am, I smile and am pleasant.

So --- I'm not really sending this letter. Don't want anyone to lose their job in this economy. But now all my friends can read about Budget and choose another car rental provider.