Budget Car Rental

- 24395 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, MI 48033

For residents of Southfield, Michigan, and the surrounding Metro Detroit area, having a convenient and reliable car rental service is a common necessity for various reasons, from temporary vehicle replacements to business travel or leisure trips. Budget Car Rental, located at 24395 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, MI 48033, is part of a large, internationally recognized brand, suggesting a certain level of standard service. However, for Michigan locals considering this specific branch, it is crucial to approach with a comprehensive understanding of the highly varied, and often critical, customer experiences reported.

While Budget, as a national chain, aims to provide a diverse fleet and accessible services, individual branch operations can significantly impact the customer journey. This article is designed to offer a factual overview of the Budget Car Rental location on Telegraph Road in Southfield, incorporating direct customer feedback to provide a realistic picture of what local users might encounter. The goal is to help you make a fully informed decision for your car rental needs within the Michigan region.

The Budget Car Rental branch at 24395 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, MI 48033, is situated on a primary north-south arterial road in Metro Detroit, offering good geographical accessibility for residents across Southfield, Farmington Hills, and other nearby communities in Oakland County. Its location provides relatively easy access from major freeways such as M-10 (Lodge Freeway) and I-696, making it a potentially convenient spot for pickups and drop-offs.

The operating hours for this location are generally: Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. These hours are designed to cater to both weekday business needs and weekend leisure rentals. Budget typically offers a free pick-up service for customers within a certain radius, which can be arranged by contacting the local branch directly. For returns outside of business hours, there may be a key drop box available, but customers should always clarify their liability until the vehicle is officially checked in on the next business day.

Budget Car Rental, as a major national provider, generally offers a wide range of services and vehicle types to cater to diverse customer needs:

• Extensive Vehicle Fleet: Budget provides various car classes, including:
  • Economy and Compact Cars (e.g., Kia Rio, Kia Soul) for fuel efficiency and smaller budgets.
  • Intermediate, Standard, and Full-Size Sedans (e.g., Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Camry) for comfortable travel.
  • SUVs (e.g., Toyota RAV4, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Suburban) in various sizes for families, extra cargo, or Michigan's changing weather.
  • Minivans (e.g., Chrysler Pacifica) for larger groups or families.
  • Specialty Vehicles such as Convertibles (e.g., Ford Mustang Convertible), Luxury cars (e.g., Genesis G70), and Electric Vehicles (e.g., Kia EV6, Tesla Short Range Model 3) for specific preferences.
  • Pickup Trucks (e.g., Toyota Tacoma) and Passenger Vans (e.g., Ford Transit 12-Passenger Van) for utility and group transport.
• Flexible Rental Durations: Options for daily, weekly, and monthly rentals, including long-term solutions with "Budget by the Month."
• One-Way Rentals: The convenience of picking up in Southfield and dropping off at another Budget location.
• Optional Add-ons: Available extras such as GPS navigation, child safety seats (infant, toddler, booster), and additional driver options.
• Fuel Purchase Options: Customers can choose to pre-pay for fuel, refill the tank themselves, or have Budget refuel the car upon return (with a service charge).
• Protection Options: Various forms of coverage, such as Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), are offered for peace of mind.
• Fastbreak Program: For frequent renters, the Fastbreak program aims to expedite service and streamline pick-up and drop-off processes.

Based on the explicit and detailed customer reviews provided for this specific Budget Car Rental location in Southfield, MI, there are significant and highly concerning features and highlights:

• Extreme Lack of Cleanliness: This is a recurring and severe issue. Customers reported vehicles that were "filthy," with "crumbs on the floor," "old water bottles, cans, etc under the front passenger seat and trash," and smelling "like weed." One review indicated a car that "reek of cigarettes and weed," suggesting a consistent failure in basic vehicle hygiene and maintenance.
• Unprofessional and Incompetent Staff/Management: Multiple reviews describe staff as "unprofessional," "incompetent," and even "morans." The owner was also cited as "completely useless" and contributing to a "filthy office." This suggests a systemic issue with the branch's operational standards and customer interaction.
• Significant Delays and Inefficiency: Despite being the "only customer," one reviewer experienced a "45 mins" wait to get a car, causing them to be "LATE for an important business meeting." This highlights major operational inefficiency.
• Vehicle Availability and Quality Issues: Customers reported reservations not being honored (no cars available at the reserved price point) and being pressured into unwanted "upgrades" like sports cars or electric vehicles that did not meet their needs. More critically, one vehicle had a "damaged tire" making it unsafe to drive, and another was noted to "need a oil change." This raises serious safety concerns about the condition of the fleet.
• Fuel Level Problems: Vehicles were given out with "almost no gas in it" or "no gas," forcing customers to immediately find a gas station, further delaying their travel and adding inconvenience.
• Discrepancies in Charges: A "final charge on my credit card was $165.16 MORE than they told me (and what's on my rental agreement)," indicating potential for hidden or incorrect billing.
• Need for Multiple Swaps: Due to the poor condition of initial vehicles, customers were forced to "swap the car out for a safe one," incurring additional time and inconvenience during their trips.
• Strong Negative Recommendation: Reviewers explicitly state, "NEVER AGAIN!" and "THIS LOCATION SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN," indicating a profound dissatisfaction and a complete loss of trust.

To reach Budget Car Rental at 24395 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, MI, for inquiries or reservations, please use the following contact information:

Address: 24395 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, MI 48033, USA

Phone: (248) 353-1275

Mobile Phone: +1 248-353-1275

For Michigan locals in Southfield and the surrounding areas, the Budget Car Rental on Telegraph Road, despite its convenient location, presents a series of severe concerns based on overwhelming and consistent customer feedback. While the national Budget brand offers a wide variety of vehicles and services, the local experience at this specific branch appears to be significantly substandard. Reports of filthy vehicles, damaged tires, empty gas tanks, unprofesional and incompetent staff, excessive waiting times, and billing discrepancies are highly alarming.

Given the critical nature of these widespread issues, local users are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution if considering this location. It is imperative to meticulously inspect any vehicle offered, document its condition (interior, exterior, tire integrity, fuel level, warning lights) with photos and videos before leaving the lot, and verify all charges on the rental agreement against the final bill. Many Michigan residents may find it prudent to explore alternative car rental options in Southfield or neighboring cities, or to utilize a different Budget branch (as suggested by one reviewer's positive experience with the Grand Rapids Airport location), to ensure a safe, clean, and professionally managed rental experience that does not disrupt important plans or incur unexpected costs.

Budget Car Rental

24395 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, MI 48033, USA