Rental Car dramaz

Remember a week ago I posted about reserving a rental car for this weekends Reach the Beach? Well, this morning, after weeks of trying to remain calm and trying to not freak out that something wrong would happen, I called to verify my reservation. I called the 1800 number on the web and chose the right options to get to talk to someone to confirm my reservation. Apparently the reservation I have starts with a “B” and Thrifty uses confirmation codes that start with an “F”. Ok, try to look me up by my last name. Nope. First name? Nope. What about the pick up date – today? Nope. “Sorry, but there is no reservation at all for you. Can I help you with anything else?” Umm, did you help me with the one and only thing I called about? No? Ok, I think you have been completely unhelpful thus far. Goodbye.

Onto the next number to try to figure out the deal with the reservation. 1877 number. THE SAME EXACT LADY I SPOKE TO NOT MINUTES EARLIER. I tried to, like the World War motto goes, keep calm and carry on, but I don’t think I was successful. She again asked for my confirmation code. Told me, again, that Thrifty’s start with “F” and mine started with a “B”. Maybe with my last name? nope. “Can I get your first name, Melissa?” – ugh? You just said it. Stop playing coy with me, I just talked to you on the phone. She knew she was caught. I hung up again for fear I would lose my cool.

After second, third, fourth guessing myself I called Budget. Since Thrifty assured me that their codes do not start with a “B” then maybe I was an idiot – wouldn’t have been the first time in my life- and wrote down Thrifty when really it was Budget. However, the inner dialogue in my mind reminded me when I made the reservation the guy gave me a hard time for all my nonsense questions

there are legitamit seats in the van right? not like lawn chairs? Seat belts too? Windows that work and doors that lock?” He rebutted that the good deal that I was getting had nothing to do with the cars shape but that they weren’t called Thrifty for nothing!.

Despite my 100% sure I booked through Thrifty I called Budget, the code started with a “B”,” B” for Budget? Nope. The guy said their confirmation codes don’t start with “B” either. Well good God, whose does? He didn’t know.

After feeling like an idiot, having extreme fear that we would be 5 hot, sweat of  mess runners stuffed into a compact rental - Toyota Corolla anyone?- due to no other vans available I googled Thrifty again in hopes to get the local 802 number I know I called. FINALLY.

I dialed the number excitedly but also apprehensive. I reminded myself to be nice, we are Vermonters we don’t get rude! I talked to the manager and he too couldn’t find me by the confirmation code or my last name. I begged to see if MAYBE I could still get a 12 pass. van for TODAY! After looking at their stock he said there were several that were going out today,

wait, what was your last name again?

I supplied the man with it and sure enough,

Bingo, here you are. They spelled your name wrong!

Thank you Thrifty for giving me a great deal and an ulcer!