Thursday, 1/28/2010: Rented the car for the $67 three day special. Agent tells me they will need to

I ve always been a BUDGET Rent-A-Car man, but this time I wandered outside of my usual to Carrentals.com and was lured over to Dollar for cost and a deal that had Budget quite beat. $67 Lock-n-Low special from Thursday late night through Sunday early evening. Since I m not a credit card user, their web site said they only took a $250 hold on funds from your debit card vs. Budget s $300 hold. I m a budget traveller and that $50 difference is a world of difference for me. I completely disagree nevada luxury cars for rent with the pirate-tactics nevada luxury cars for rent of car rental agencies nevada luxury cars for rent to lock your bank account funds in such a way when using debit cards instead of credit but unfortunately the industry has us trapped. Dollar at least appears more sympathetic by having a lower hold fee. There was no line or wait at the Portland airport to pick up my car. The agent was very friendly (though tried to get me to add in extras) and hooked me up with a nice subaru (see above picture). The car was very new, clean, with heated seats, electric windows, sunroof, great sound system, and all the perks you ve come to love in a vehicle. I loved my rental. The check-out process was streamlined. Oddly though when he checked me out, he stated you couldn t leave the state of Oregon or Washington. It didn t matter for this trip since I was just staying in Oregon but in the future could see a problem with that. Unlimited Mileage and affordable prices. No problems with the car. It was a very nice ride. Check in was very efficient, streamlined, and got my receipt quickly. I had a very positive experience with Dollar. Thank you Dollar! Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5. Well counted my blessings too soon: They took the $250 debit card hold and charged it, the day AFTER I returned nevada luxury cars for rent the vehicle. No charge for the $67 has appeared nevada luxury cars for rent on my statement as of this writing (2/3/10) but they took my $250 and still have not returned it. After this experience, I ve become wary of Dollar. Especially since after an hour of phone calls with them yesterday (2/2/10) ending in no resolution. They said it could take 2-5 days before refunding the money they were supposed nevada luxury cars for rent to get a credit hold on and release the day the car was returned but instead cashed and are holding out on crediting nevada luxury cars for rent back. As of this point, the company has made a 2 out of 5 rating as of this date (2/3/10). Rating: 2 stars out of 5 ~ Trust not what the representatives state and be very wary of their accounting techniques. In addition, for the Portland Office they manage their own accounting. The Manager Reza was rude and not helpful, argued with me that he indeed submitted the payback, which according to my bank has not been submitted. With staff such as Reza Dollar is bound to be heading downhill.
Thursday, 1/28/2010: Rented the car for the $67 three day special. Agent tells me they will need to place a hold (not a charge thru) of $250 on my debit card which will be immediately released when I turn in the rental car on sunday.
Tuesday, 2/2/2010: I discover their error, call national and they say the local Portland Airport office handles their own accounting. I call them and they insist they have submitted the charge back on monday. The manager was rude and hung up on me when I told them their error. I called my bank and National to see what can be done, they said will have to wait it could take 2-7 days to process. Meanwhile endangering my bank account.