I have seen quite a few articles about why people should rent cars… special occasions, no need to worry about maintenance, yada, yada, yada… But I could not find any articles about why people shouldn’t rent cars. So I’m gonna play devils advocate and create my own list.

And I have come up with 4 perfectly good reasons why you shouldn’t rent a car…

1. Rental Car Companies Discriminate

Some car rental companies have no qualms about not renting to certain people. I am sure the companies have conjured up a shrewd reason why they refuse to rent to those under age 25… but if a 24 year old can drink, smoke and vote… then why can’t they rent cars? By age 25, many people have already finished college and have responsibilities like working a bona fide job, beginning a family, paying real bills. Are they not worthy enough to rent a car?

And yet other car rental companies try to skirt the issue by charging a premium. I say don’t be so wishy-washy - either rent to young people or not. It seems as if these rental companies exploit the fact that young people have limited rental car options. The companies are forcing those under 25 to pay these premiums because they have no where else to go. Sounds like a monopoly to me.

2. Rental Car Companies Trick You With Hidden Fees

The car rental companies charge all kind of hidden fees. You can be charged extra for anything from picking up a car from the airport to dropping the car off at a different location. Sometimes they sock you with mileage fees. But the one that gets me is the refueling charges. When you rent a car, you must return it with the same amount of gas. If you return it with less, they will charge you almost 2 times the price of the average going rate for a gallon of gas. That’s awfully excessive… especially considering you won’t be refunded if you return the car with too much gas. Heck, you may have not had time to stop at the gas station because you were in a rush trying to avoid partial day charges. But do they care… no!

3. There Are More Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Al Gore says that car emissions are contributing to the end of the world. Surely you don’t want to be a contributor to ending the world. So you can walk, run, cycle or roller skate to where you need to go. If you are traveling too far to make it on your own muscle, consider using public transportation, car pooling or hopping on a Amtrak or Greyhound.

4. Who Were The Previous Occupants

People tend to be less conscientious in dealing with things that aren’t theirs. To tell the truth, some folks can be down right disgusting. I have heard about the things people leave behind in rentals. I’m not trying to gross you out or anything but if people can ooze blood, urine, feces and semen around rented rooms, they certainly do the same in rented cars. And not to mention the viruses and bacteria they leave behind that are lurking for a host.

Yeah, the companies may clean the cars between rental. But the objective is only to get the car looking clean, not to make sure it’s actually clean. Vacuuming the back seat does little to rid it of ole Joey boy’s dried in “excitement”. And I can bet the steering wheel, gear shift and door handles aren’t disinfected.

I am no germaphobe… but I can imagine all yucky stuff lingering about in rental cars.

Tada…!!! Pretty good, huh?

Hopefully I have dissuaded you from renting a car. But in case I haven’t, you oughta give Budget Rent A Car a try. And you can use these great specials while you’re at it:

10% off the regular rental rate

$30 off Weekly Rental

20% off plus 3000 Delta SkyMiles

5% rebate when you use your MasterCard

10% off plus free upgrade

$50 off rentals over 60 days

$20 off weekend deals

Frequent renter perks

5% off daily rental

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And

Special Offers straight from the horse’s mouth