Exposed! How to Beat These Companies at Their Own Game
I love knowing the ‘inside dope’ on stuff. Today I present three insider reports from The Consumerist site. These first-person ‘confessions’ — from employees at a car rental agency, a bank and Starbucks — will help you not get taken. I was completely taken by surprise by the car rental one.
Six Confessions of an Alamo Car Rental Agent
10 Confessions of a Chase Customer Service Rep
Confessions of a Starbucks Barista
January 17th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Oh we’re on the car rental people. We always pick the compact car no upgrades (unless we want them!)
January 17th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Dear Alamo Agent,
I am not cheap. I know what I want and, being eco-concious, I see no point in upgrading to an SUV if a subcompact works for me. I won’t get extra peace of mind from more insurance as my own insurance covers rental at home and abroad. And the one time i got a GPS, it took me off and on the highway every couple of miles. Go figure why. Eventually I stopped using it and made it to where I was going just fine.
Hate me cause I’m a deeker all you want, but I hate you right back because where the hell do you get off foisting extras on people who neither much want nor need them.
Hatefully,
Jazz
January 17th, 2008 at 10:58 am
The Consumerist rocks my world on a daily basis.
And let me also put in my $0.02 for Lifehacker as a great source of practical information. It’s a little too focused on one or two pet topics, but I’ll bet a week doesn’t go by where I don’t find at least one really useful post.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Thanks – the Alamo one was very good. I’m going to tell the agent that I’m a deeker and see the look on its face.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I love the Americano at Starbucks!
Can’t do their coffee.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:43 am
This is a real eye opener! Thanks Rhea.
January 17th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Fun read. I’m one of those people who decline everything when renting
January 17th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I’m a deeker, too! I had no idea they work on commission!
January 17th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Going Like Sixty: Good idea. I’ll try that too.
January 17th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Rhea, the links didn’t work for me. it just brought me to the consumerist page and something about a woman suing because some doctor licked her toes or something.
Sorry.
January 18th, 2008 at 5:29 am
heh
We are long-time deeks.
Starbucks is dropping organic milk next month, so ordering it (or not) won’t be a choice.
IMHO the best way to not waste money at Starbucks is to save the $4-$5 a day and put it towards your own espresso machine. The love-hate consumer relationship with Starbucks has been going on for awhile.
A year ago, I read a funny blog about “ghetto” lattes:
http://starbucksgossip.typepad.com/_/2006/09/a_reader_asks_i.html
January 18th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Insurance agents, travel agents, real estate agents, rental agents, ticket agents, mortgage brokers, stock brokers – all are working on behalf of companies and are commissioned sales people. If the word “agent” or “broker” is used to describe the occupation, you will know how they are earning their money and can judge their recommendations to your needs accordingly.
January 19th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Don’t rent cars. Get a limo. You don’t have to worry about getting ripped off by a commission hungry agent, you don’t have to park and you can ask for a cute driver! Deek that Alamo!
Don’t get me started on the banking industry – didn’t 30 percent interest used to be called usery?
If I must pay $5 for a coffee than I would prefer Peets to Starbucks, but I’m a Philistene and proud of it.
PopArtDiva, A Deeky Philistene with a Diva complex!
January 20th, 2008 at 10:21 am
This real estate agent is a deeker!
January 21st, 2008 at 4:33 am
So I’m a deeker and a non-profit cc holder. Who knew! And I absolutely abhor $tarbuck$.
Say NO to high fructose syrup, people!
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I have one Chase card, by default, as Chase recently absorbed the BP gas card I’ve had for 20 years. I only use it for gas and pay it off every month. They send us “Pre-Approved Transfer Offers” (aka, Identity theft kits) almost daily. Actually we received these from lots of banks, and Chase has by far the worst terms of any of these offers.
We are forced to buy insurance when we rent a car, because we only have liability on our ancient vehicles, so our coverage doesn’t include rentals. But we never upgrade. We’ve never used Alamo either, and certainly never will after this!
We don’t have a Starbucks.