a promise to boast about Budget

After my great experience with Budget rent-a-car over the holidays, and the available snow tires.  I was pleasantly surprised when one of the staff members went the extra distance to help us locate a missing pair of prescription sunglasses that were left in the vehicle.

Although I never met Shauna, I thanked her by dropping off  a big thank you card, a box of chocolates and the following letter to the Human resource department and Client relations department.  I close the letter by promising to boast to my friends about this wonderful experience.

This weeks blog simply presents that letter.  I do hope Shauna gets the recognition she deserves!

 *************************************************************************

Blaine Zuk

  Tofield AB,  T0B 4J0              email       780 662-xxxx    ·    cell 780-xxx-xxxx

January 12, 2011

Budget Rent-a-Car

Administrative Office

4612 -95 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

Attention Client Relations

I am writing to inform you of two great customer experiences from your Sherwood Park location

On the weekend of December 30, 2010 I reserved a minivan online for a weekend ski getaway to the mountains.  Not being completely convinced of my reservation status as a first time user of the web service, I followed up the next day with you toll free number.  The gentleman confirmed my reservation, and brought to my attention the availability of winter tires.  I was pleasantly surprise at this option and requested this option if available.

The vehicle was ready on time as promised, clean and with the winter tires requested. I felt an extra sense of security knowing I had a good grip on the road and was thankful of my decision while driving an icy Highway 2 back home.

A few days after returning the rental, we realized that an expensive pair of prescription sunglasses was left under the passenger seat, and missed during our cleaning.  Initial calls back to the Sherwood Park location revealed no lost goods. But the lady on the phone promised to look into the matter.  The Van had already been rented to another customer, and was returned at a different location.  I am happy to say that this morning that same lady named Shawna called back to report that she had located our glasses, and I could pick them up at her location.

I truly appreciate the effort made by Shauna, and all the staff at Budget Rent-a-car in Sherwood Park that provided excellent service, and follow up after the sale.  I do hope you recognize her efforts, as this will be one situation that I will proudly boast to friends about!

Regards,

Blaine and Vivian Zuk

Tofield, Alberta

Cc.

Budget – Sherwood Park

Human resources

Get a grip

While planning for a ski trips to the mountains this past weekend, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Budget rent a car  now offers snow tires as an optional upgrade when available.  Not having winter tires when traveling through the mountains has always been a concern of mine, and a reason to resist renting.

Rather than drive two small cars to Banff, I loaded Vivian and all the boys into a minivan, paid the extra $30 to have new winter tires on our ride, and off we went.  I felt an extra sense of security with the grip while winding up the snowy road to Sunshine Village, but it was on the trip home that I was most appreciative.

I spotted at least a dozen cars in the ditch just north of Calgary, But only really started counting cars after I had seen one car wrapped around a pole near Red Deer, and a couple of flip over’s soon after.  At one point before Leduc we were averaging one car in the ditch every kilometer or so. I figure we must have passed about 30 within the few hours on the road.  I always slowed with caution to see if assistance was required, but many vehicles were long abandoned, or already assisted with emergency personnel.

Even with my new winter tires, and heavy load on the road, I could feel the slush and slop, and always ensured I had good distance between the car in front of me. 

I have had my experienced a rollover in my own 57 Beetle when cresting a slushy side road one spring.  It was a soft role in powdery snow, and aside from wishing I tied the battery in a little better I came out OK.  I discovered the chaos that comes with an upside-down vehicle and understand the confusion that follows.

When my Accord slid into a frozen Hastings lake after taking an icy corner a little too quickly, I was thankful that my son and I had good boots and mitts for the long walk home in -25deg weather.

 I have recovered from my share of fishtailing pickups, and 360 degree loops de loops while overshooting an intersection, and have spent many hours digging and winching vehicles from the snow through poor judgment and youthful exuberance.

I am in no position to judge another driver, yet wise enough to have learned from my experiences

I have learned to be prepared in winter.  I took time before our ski trip to load the rental van with tow ropes, shovel, traction plates, and booster cables.  I have learned to keep winter gear on, or nearby when the temperature drops, and carry the equipment needed to get you out of trouble.

The same day I returned the rental, a pickup truck I was following, got into a fishtail swerve situation and lost control, although the driver tried to gently put it in the ditch, it ended flipping sideways on impact, breaking glass, and tossing goods all over the place, fortunately it ended up back on its wheels.

I stopped to offer first aid, and found that all occupants were safely buckled in and wearing winter coats.  The infant in the back was still securely strapped in a car seat and every body seemed to be OK.  I stuck around the half hour or so to calm the occupants, assist in gathering their goods, and helped get the infant up the police cruiser.

I learned that although I stopped to check for injuries and assist this family that was still 300km away from Provost, nobody else on the highway bothered to venture through the snow to check if help was needed.  One man stood on the edge of the road and peered down with inquiry, while another yelled from her car window, so I should hope I had help if it was called for.

I have learned that we should do all we can to best prepare ourselves for the unexpected  in these icy winter conditions,  Use winter tires when possible, Carry warm clothes and emergency gear, and by all means stop to help one another when required to do so.

Go out and make it a great day,

Be prepared, and always be willing to help others,

Blaine