Budget Car Hire - Edinburgh

Daniel Hemmann
5 Star
Fast, friendly and great car. Drove 1100mi with no problem. Easy return!
Monday 11th April 2022

Przemyslaw Staszczak
4 Star
I can highly recommend you this company, customer service was friendly and car was great. One thing you have to remember about to take photos of everything, every side of the car outside and inside, check properly because when I was about to return my car, guy from customer service showed me some scratches on the rims and he was already asking about my insurance so I was lucky that I took photo before, otherwise I would pay for it even if it wasn't me.
Thursday 10th February 2022

Ross Henderson
5 Star
Excellent service, quality cars at very competitive prices. Recommended car hire for all your needs.
Tuesday 29th March 2022

Brett G
1 Star
So this tale is one of naivety, deception, and the tears of a pregnant woman. A tragedy worthy of the storied cobblestones upon which this cursed branch lurks like a fetid barrow wight (sneering succubus, pilfering parasite, ransacked remora, you get the point). It starts off innocently enough, with the rental of a neat little manual Peugot 208 from the London branch. Attempts at upselling notwithstanding, the sales agent at this location was perfectly disarming (as one might expect a representative of a villainous big bad wolf such as budget to be, why what lovely large teeth you have!). This being our first vehicle rental experience(and in the UK no less), we were somewhat aware of the shady reputation vehicle rental companies have with regards to overcharging, surprise fees, after the fact damage charges etc etc. However, we gave them far less consideration than we ought have. We observed some scratches and scuffs on the paint as well as rims of the vehicle, only one scratch having been noted in the vehicle report we received from the company (a scuff on the left rear bumper area). As such, we photographed the most significant rim scratch (that was not reflected in the report) but seeing as how even this larger chip was not represented in the report, we believed the other light scuffs and scratches were of little significance. If only I could whisper forewarning to my younger, equally attractive and slightly less cynical self...BUT I DIGRESS! After a lovely week of touring the country, we ended our trip in Scotland, Edinburgh specifically. The driving experience was fantastic; I lovingly escorted the little Peugeot through the cotswolds, yorkshire, and the Scottish highlands entirely without incident. With such tenderness, such care, as though I were tenderly carrying my soon to be first born child from historic place to historic place. Nevertheless, upon arrival at the Edinburgh branch location, my pregnant wife and I were greeted by an altogether different sort of agent: businesslike and confrontational. Now every scratch needed to be accounted for, including the aforementioned rim scratches which were not actually represented in the prior vehicle report. Thankfully, the largest one we had actually photographed, so they were unable to rob us for twice the amount. Unfortunately for us however, the passenger side rear rim which had light scratches along the edge that we believed to be of no major significance prior to leaving now became a major problem. A 207 pound problem, to be specific (that's 330 dollars canadian folks!). Despite our assertions that the scratches had been there prior (including my pregnant wife's tearful attestation and my own assertions that nothing had happened on our trip), the smirking agent-turned-cheshire-cat decreed that "she had been In the business long enough to know" and charged our card. Actually, thats probably the only honest statement made from this company or its representatives, I'm sure they have done this plenty of times before. All facetiousness aside, we will be filing a complaint with the better business bureau in canada (as well as the UK equivalent), disputing the charges and considering small claims court, but I doubt that kind of drop in the bucket will affect a company that employs such machiavellian and cold hearted tactics (not to mention staff). TLDR VERSION: 1) DO NOT USE BUDGET, they run several well known scams evidenced by a litany of complaints with BBB and poor reviews. 2)if you absolutely must use these scam artists, photograph EVERY SQUARE INCH of the car prior to your trip. 3) get excellent insurance, ours is through expedia (which is probably why they are doing this, we had 3rd party not through budget) and will probably cover it but we still have to pay deductible. 4) may God have mercy on your soul, because budget sure won't.
Wednesday 13th April 2022

Ruairi Baxter
5 Star
Super helpful staff, quick and easy. If you do the online check in first it obviously cuts down on the time you spend. But everything was explained well and clear and the lady who served me was friendly and humorous couldn't have had a better 1st experience with a car rental company. Will definitely use again in the future 👍
Tuesday 20th April 2021