If I could give zero stars, I would. Budget Car Rental at Inverness Airport is running a scam, plain and simple.
I rented a car from Budget and returned it in the exact same condition I picked it up in. There was no walkthrough when I picked it up, and no inspection when I returned it. Then later, surprise! I get an email with a damage claim and an outrageous charge for damage I absolutely did not cause.
They provided no real evidence. Just a vague photo and a generic invoice. No timestamps, no proof the damage wasn't already there -- just a "pay up" attitude. When I contacted customer service, I was met with robotic responses, zero willingness to investigate, and a clear message: we don't care, and you're paying anyway.
This is not a one-off issue -- Google it. This company has a well-documented pattern of charging customers for pre-existing damage or inventing charges altogether. It's dishonest, predatory, and disgusting.
Avoid Budget at all costs. They might seem like a cheap option upfront, but you could end up paying hundreds more for damage you didn't cause. It's not worth the risk. I'll never rent from them again -- and I'm telling everyone I know to do the same. read more