I was given a car that had 3/8 gas and smelled heavily like smoke. It smelled like someone had been smoking in there for years. As soon as I received the car and sat inside, I could not tolerate the smell. I went back inside and asked for alternative vehicle as this one was intolerable. I was told that there were no other vehicles in the entire lot that I could switch to. There were probably 50-100 cars there so this was a lie especially since I paid for a mid-sized SUV. Then I asked why the gas tank was 3/8 full only and she said she’s working alone and doesn’t have time to do all the work. I then set off with the nasty smoke filled car. The drive was so unbearable for myself and my children that we stopped at another Budget when we reached our destination the next morning to try and return the car a day early. We were given the run around and told that if we do this, we would be charged an early termination fee. For it make any sense to be charged more to return a car a day and a half early??. We therefore kept the car and returned it as planned to the TTN airport as scheduled. We told them about the car smell and they said nothing, did nothing, and frankly were then most unprofessional agents at any car rental facility I’ve ever been to. Several of us customers were waiting for the Budget shuttle to transport us back to the airport from the rental return. We were made to wait over 30min even after several of us asked how long it would be they would keep telling us in two minutes. There were 3 agents and barely any customers or phone calls, yet they sat there and just chit chatted instead of caring for the customers. Worst car rental experience ever. I doubt I would use Budget again.
