“Refund not good enough” Says Brooklynite Discriminated Against by Hertz

Shortly after news reports featured Betty Robinson criticizing Hertz Rent-a-Car for discriminating against Brooklyn drivers, she received word that the company will refund $290, half the cost of her daughter’s rental for a trip the two took together in November. Ms. Robinson’s reaction? “I think it is an insult – a real insult,” she said. “They didn’t say anything about correcting the problem.”

Ms. Robinson’s story came to light when Borough President Marty Markowitz started investigating complaints that some auto rental agencies, including Hertz and Dollar Rent-a-Car, routinely discriminate against Brooklyn residents, in Dollar’s case nearly doubling fees they charge to residents of Manhattan. In Ms. Robinson’s case, Hertz refused to allow her daughter, who lives in another state, to add Betty as a second driver, because she lives in Brooklyn. As a result, her daughter Kenya had to do all of the driving during a week-long trip south.

“Look, I’m glad Hertz is making a gesture by refunding some of the money to Ms. Robinson’s daughter,” Borough President Markowitz said. “However, they haven’t ended their discriminatory practices and until they do, Hertz and Dollar and any other company that does this is simply not worthy of our business.”

In the past, Hertz claimed its price-inflating practice was necessary because New York State law allowed them to be sued when renters caused accidents and Hertz claimed Brooklyn residents were involved in more accidents than those of other boroughs. However, after investigation the borough president learned that while the state law in question is no longer in effect, Hertz and Dollar are continuing to overcharge Brooklynites.

“These surcharges have always been a disgrace,” Markowitz said. “Now that the state’s liability law is no longer in effect, it’s just plain price gouging.”

“I just want to see the problem corrected,” Robinson added.