Menu
For Business Write a review File a complaint
CB Vehicle Rental and Leasing CarTrawler deceptive practices: car rental bait and switch scam
CarTrawler

CarTrawler review: deceptive practices: car rental bait and switch scam

N
Author of the review
3:50 am EDT
Verified customer The reviewer confirmed their account using Google. Learn more
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I recently had a deeply concerning experience with a car rental company operating at Miami Airport, and I feel compelled to share my cautionary tale to prevent others from falling victim to a blatant scam. My family's trip took an unfortunate turn due to what can only be described as a classic bait-and-switch maneuver.

I had meticulously booked and paid for a car rental, complete with the necessary insurance coverage, to ensure a smooth arrival for my wife and children at Miami Airport. However, upon their arrival at the rental office, chaos ensued. It was midnight, and the last thing anyone expected was to be hit with distressing news: the reserved car was suddenly unavailable.

What unfolded next was a shockingly audacious scheme. My family was told that the very same car I had booked was indeed available, but here's the catch: it would require an additional payment of $340. As if that weren't enough, the situation escalated further as they were coerced into purchasing insurance at a staggering cost of $45 per day.

This deceitful tactic, known as the "bait and switch," is a manipulative ploy that leaves customers feeling trapped and exploited. By advertising one price and then revealing hidden costs upon arrival, these rental companies capitalize on travellers' vulnerability and fatigue after a long journey. It's not just a matter of financial strain; it's a violation of trust and tarnishing of what should be a smooth travel experience.

Before this experience, I had heard warnings about such scams, but I never anticipated falling prey to one myself. It's evident that this car rental company's priorities lie in maximizing its profits, even if it means sacrificing customer satisfaction and ethical business practices.

I implore anyone considering renting a car at Miami Airport, or anywhere else for that matter, to exercise extreme caution. Research the company thoroughly, read reviews, and if possible, opt for reputable rental agencies with transparent pricing policies. Document every step of the booking process, keep all correspondence and ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions, including potential hidden fees.

Let my family's unfortunate encounter serve as a stark reminder to remain vigilant against these dishonest practices. We deserve better than to be taken advantage of during what should be a joyful and memorable journey. Stand united against such scams, and together, we can make informed choices that safeguard our travel experiences.

Desired outcome: They are not able to continue scamming pepole

0 comments
Add a comment

More CarTrawler reviews & complaints

CarTrawler - utterly disgusted 54
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
CarTrawler - overcharged 4
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
CarTrawler - rip off
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
  1. CarTrawler Contacts

  2. CarTrawler phone numbers
    +353 14 999 600
    +353 14 999 600
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +353 14 999 600 phone number 22 22 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +353 14 999 600 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +353 14 999 600 phone number 23 23 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +353 14 999 600 phone number
    Ireland
    +44 203 582 8218
    +44 203 582 8218
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +44 203 582 8218 phone number 30 30 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +44 203 582 8218 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +44 203 582 8218 phone number 21 21 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +44 203 582 8218 phone number
    18%
    Confidence score
    United Kingdom
    +1 (855) 454-9316
    +1 (855) 454-9316
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +1 (855) 454-9316 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +1 (855) 454-9316 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +1 (855) 454-9316 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +1 (855) 454-9316 phone number
    USA & Canada
    +61 280 152 643
    +61 280 152 643
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +61 280 152 643 phone number 31 31 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +61 280 152 643 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +61 280 152 643 phone number 12 12 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +61 280 152 643 phone number
    44%
    Confidence score
    Australia
    +43 120 609 2029
    +43 120 609 2029
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +43 120 609 2029 phone number 5 5 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +43 120 609 2029 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +43 120 609 2029 phone number 5 5 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +43 120 609 2029 phone number
    Austria
    +358 942 451 827
    +358 942 451 827
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +358 942 451 827 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +358 942 451 827 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +358 942 451 827 phone number 7 7 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +358 942 451 827 phone number
    Finland
    +33 157 329 537
    +33 157 329 537
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +33 157 329 537 phone number 50 50 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +33 157 329 537 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +33 157 329 537 phone number 12 12 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +33 157 329 537 phone number
    61%
    Confidence score
    France
    +49 692 9957 1149
    +49 692 9957 1149
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +49 692 9957 1149 phone number 17 17 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +49 692 9957 1149 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +49 692 9957 1149 phone number 20 20 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +49 692 9957 1149 phone number
    Germany
    +39 510 545 041
    +39 510 545 041
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +39 510 545 041 phone number 13 13 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +39 510 545 041 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +39 510 545 041 phone number 12 12 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +39 510 545 041 phone number
    4%
    Confidence score
    Italy
    +31 707 709 339
    +31 707 709 339
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +31 707 709 339 phone number 19 19 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +31 707 709 339 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +31 707 709 339 phone number 13 13 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +31 707 709 339 phone number
    19%
    Confidence score
    Netherlands
    +48 223 075 720
    +48 223 075 720
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +48 223 075 720 phone number 5 5 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +48 223 075 720 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +48 223 075 720 phone number 7 7 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +48 223 075 720 phone number
    Poland
    +351 213 665 562
    +351 213 665 562
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +351 213 665 562 phone number 14 14 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +351 213 665 562 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +351 213 665 562 phone number 11 11 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +351 213 665 562 phone number
    12%
    Confidence score
    Portugal
    +7 499 271 8567
    +7 499 271 8567
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +7 499 271 8567 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +7 499 271 8567 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +7 499 271 8567 phone number 6 6 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +7 499 271 8567 phone number
    Russia
    +34 931 815 659
    +34 931 815 659
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +34 931 815 659 phone number 16 16 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +34 931 815 659 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +34 931 815 659 phone number 16 16 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +34 931 815 659 phone number
    Spain
    +46 840 309 978
    +46 840 309 978
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +46 840 309 978 phone number 9 9 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +46 840 309 978 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +46 840 309 978 phone number 11 11 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +46 840 309 978 phone number
    Sweden
    +90 850 390 2880
    +90 850 390 2880
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +90 850 390 2880 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +90 850 390 2880 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +90 850 390 2880 phone number 9 9 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +90 850 390 2880 phone number
    Turkey
    +86 105 357 3274
    +86 105 357 3274
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +86 105 357 3274 phone number 4 4 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +86 105 357 3274 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +86 105 357 3274 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +86 105 357 3274 phone number
    14%
    Confidence score
    China
    +91 800 100 4412
    +91 800 100 4412
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +91 800 100 4412 phone number 4 4 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +91 800 100 4412 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +91 800 100 4412 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +91 800 100 4412 phone number
    14%
    Confidence score
    India
    +62 21 2975 8990
    +62 21 2975 8990
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +62 21 2975 8990 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +62 21 2975 8990 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +62 21 2975 8990 phone number 5 5 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +62 21 2975 8990 phone number
    Indonesia
    +81 345 208 156
    +81 345 208 156
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +81 345 208 156 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +81 345 208 156 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +81 345 208 156 phone number 7 7 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +81 345 208 156 phone number
    Japan
    +60 154 877 0821
    +60 154 877 0821
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +60 154 877 0821 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +60 154 877 0821 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +60 154 877 0821 phone number 4 4 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +60 154 877 0821 phone number
    Malaysia
    +63 22 469 082
    +63 22 469 082
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +63 22 469 082 phone number 4 4 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +63 22 469 082 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +63 22 469 082 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +63 22 469 082 phone number
    14%
    Confidence score
    Philippines
    +65 31 589 183
    +65 31 589 183
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +65 31 589 183 phone number 4 4 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +65 31 589 183 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +65 31 589 183 phone number 4 4 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +65 31 589 183 phone number
    Singapore
    +27 214 277 990
    +27 214 277 990
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +27 214 277 990 phone number 18 18 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +27 214 277 990 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +27 214 277 990 phone number 17 17 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +27 214 277 990 phone number
    3%
    Confidence score
    South Africa
    +82 264 339 523
    +82 264 339 523
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +82 264 339 523 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +82 264 339 523 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +82 264 339 523 phone number 4 4 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +82 264 339 523 phone number
    South Korea
    +66 21 055 765
    +66 21 055 765
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +66 21 055 765 phone number 10 10 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +66 21 055 765 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +66 21 055 765 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +66 21 055 765 phone number
    54%
    Confidence score
    Thailand
    +54 115 984 3539
    +54 115 984 3539
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +54 115 984 3539 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +54 115 984 3539 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +54 115 984 3539 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +54 115 984 3539 phone number
    Argentina
    +55 613 550 0485
    +55 613 550 0485
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +55 613 550 0485 phone number 4 4 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +55 613 550 0485 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +55 613 550 0485 phone number 3 3 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +55 613 550 0485 phone number
    14%
    Confidence score
    Brazil
    +56 229 382 466
    +56 229 382 466
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +56 229 382 466 phone number 2 2 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +56 229 382 466 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +56 229 382 466 phone number 6 6 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +56 229 382 466 phone number
    Chile
    +52 554 746 9798
    +52 554 746 9798
    Click up if you have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +52 554 746 9798 phone number 11 11 users reported that they have successfully reached CarTrawler by calling +52 554 746 9798 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +52 554 746 9798 phone number 7 7 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CarTrawler by calling +52 554 746 9798 phone number
    22%
    Confidence score
    Mexico
    More phone numbers
  3. CarTrawler emails
  4. CarTrawler address
    Classon House, Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Ireland
  5. CarTrawler social media
  6. Maria
    Checked and verified by Maria This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn more
    Dec 26, 2024
  7. View all CarTrawler contacts
CarTrawler Category
CarTrawler is ranked 10 among 118 companies in the Vehicle Rental and Leasing category