Comments on: Why Opt-Out Policies are a Bad Idea http://www.shoestringbranding.com/2008/01/21/opt-out-policies/ Branding for Entrepreneurs Thu, 09 Sep 2010 07:04:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Opt-Out Policies and the Myth of the Complementary Newspaper http://www.shoestringbranding.com/2008/01/21/opt-out-policies/comment-page-1/#comment-4848 Opt-Out Policies and the Myth of the Complementary Newspaper Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:10:04 +0000 http://www.shoestringbranding.com/2008/01/21/opt-out-policies/#comment-4848 [...] time ago I explained why I think opt-out policies are a bad idea, and this simple example is no [...] [...] time ago I explained why I think opt-out policies are a bad idea, and this simple example is no [...]

]]> By: Brian Monahan http://www.shoestringbranding.com/2008/01/21/opt-out-policies/comment-page-1/#comment-347 Brian Monahan Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:31:55 +0000 http://www.shoestringbranding.com/2008/01/21/opt-out-policies/#comment-347 What can I say about car rental companies. Basically all of there pricing is set up as a scam. Clear pricing and value is always the best long term solution. Recently when trying to rent a car (unreserved in advance) at an airport I was told the only option was a luxury car at a ridiculous price. I called their 1-800 number and reserved the car via phone at a cheaper price and picked up the car 5 minutes later. So what was the difference? Basically extortion. When I called they did not realize I was already in the airport and been given a bogus line about only having luxury cars available. I mentioned this to the attendant as being cheesy. He said I was lucky that soon all pricing would be fixed and non negotiable. I am sure they will find a way to manipulate this new system as well. I just don't understand how companies can survive with ridiculous pricing schemes which are basically scams. It would seem people would do business with companies that are upfront and honest. What can I say about car rental companies. Basically all of there pricing is set up as a scam. Clear pricing and value is always the best long term solution.

Recently when trying to rent a car (unreserved in advance) at an airport I was told the only option was a luxury car at a ridiculous price. I called their 1-800 number and reserved the car via phone at a cheaper price and picked up the car 5 minutes later.

So what was the difference?

Basically extortion. When I called they did not realize I was already in the airport and been given a bogus line about only having luxury cars available. I mentioned this to the attendant as being cheesy. He said I was lucky that soon all pricing would be fixed and non negotiable.

I am sure they will find a way to manipulate this new system as well.

I just don’t understand how companies can survive with ridiculous pricing schemes which are basically scams. It would seem people would do business with companies that are upfront and honest.

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