1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Discussion

Rental car shops

November 02, 2022 04:42AM
Has anyone ever seen/done a rental car shop? I have never heard of them, but have a need for one and would love to get it reimbursed if that's an option.
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

More About Car Dealerships
November 02, 2022 05:08AM
Rental car shops crop up on occasion. They typically require that one return the vehicle within one hour of renting it.
Reply
November 02, 2022 06:41AM
I remember Fox rental car doing 1 full day rentals back in the late 2000s. I did a few of those. Really haven't sen much of rental car shops since then.
Reply
November 02, 2022 10:15AM
My log book is home, but I recall 15 or so yrs. ago completing several for an airport rental company. The MSC required phone reporting and I think the MSC had three letters in their name, with the first being a D.
Reply
November 02, 2022 11:28AM
ICCDS, Shopperbob. Or was it DSGAI? One of those. At least 10 years ago. I don't even know if they're still around. Yeah, you could just dictate on the phone and they'd be typing it up as you spoke. Very handy! Haven't seen any rental shops in my area for a very long time, with any company.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2022 11:30AM by sestrahelena.
Reply
November 02, 2022 02:41PM
I haven't seen a car rental shop in years. I recall ones where you had to rent a car and then return it an hour later with minimal mileage. There was another one that required renting on Day 1 and returning 12 hours later on Day 2 (so two trips to the airport; these were all airport-based) with a maximum number of miles driven, maybe 50 miles.

Shopping South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Delaware above the canal since 2008
Reply
November 02, 2022 02:50PM
Yes, I also remember doing Hertz rental car shops and looked it up. That was back in 2006/2007. It was with the 3 letter company name that did phone call results like mentioned above.

I remember being given 4 hours. At the Long Beach, CA airport (very small airport) i rented on a Friday at like 5pm and returned at 9pm. Used the car to do some shops in the area. Because this was a small airport, the same person was there for the checkout and checkin. At the end, they asked if I was a shopper because I only rented the car for 4 hours and I told them I flew in from Vegas and had to do some stuff before flying back. Not really sure if they bought that explanation. The one I did at LAX was easier since that airport is so huge and multiple employees working.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2022 02:52PM by hbbigdaddy.
Reply
November 02, 2022 04:18PM
I checked my log upon returning home. My shops were in the same time frame, client and MSC indicated by both daddy and Helena.
Reply
November 02, 2022 05:07PM
I did the ones where you rented several from the airport and then returned them the next day. That was kind of fun. Trying to remember where all my rental cars were in the various parking lots at the airport. Never again!
Reply
November 02, 2022 05:11PM
I preferred the full day rentals from Fox. Usually crappy(er) cars as they did not change them out as quick as the bigger rental places. My buddy and I drove from Los Angeles to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl one year. It's not a far drive, but it was nice to do it in a newer car. I would love to see these shops return!

@foodluvr wrote:

I did the ones where you rented several from the airport and then returned them the next day. That was kind of fun. Trying to remember where all my rental cars were in the various parking lots at the airport. Never again!
Reply
November 02, 2022 05:18PM
@hbbigdaddy wrote:

I preferred the full day rentals from Fox. Usually crappy(er) cars as they did not change them out as quick as the bigger rental places. My buddy and I drove from Los Angeles to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl one year. It's not a far drive, but it was nice to do it in a newer car. I would love to see these shops return!

@foodluvr wrote:

I did the ones where you rented several from the airport and then returned them the next day. That was kind of fun. Trying to remember where all my rental cars were in the various parking lots at the airport. Never again!

I'm in Atlanta 30 miles from the airport so if I can avoid going anywhere near there I do. Even a full day rental wouldn't be appealing unless the fee was really good or I was traveling and could use the car.
Reply
November 06, 2022 05:39PM
Have never seen the big rent a car companies shopped.Years back I believe Business Evaluation Services shopped a tiny rent a car chain in Los Angeles at the airport I think.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2022 05:39PM by Arch Stanton.
Reply
November 07, 2022 04:35AM
It would be awesome if car share companies like Zipcar were shopped.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login