I am 0% surprised that Hertz would be the first in the US to roll this out. Expecting a Steve Lehto YouTube video about it within the next three days ...

Aivis. Trai harder.

I think it's generally a brilliant solution but there are a couple of problems here:

1. The scanner seems to flag fucking everything and charge for minor damage where a human would probably flag it as wear.
2. No one is allowed to correct the scanner:

Perturbed by the apparent mistake, the user tried to speak to employees and managers at the Hertz counter, but none were able to help, and all "pointed fingers at the 'AI scanner.'" They were told to contact customer support — but even that proved futile after representatives claimed they "can’t do anything."

Sounds to me like they're just trying to replace those employees. That's why they won't let them interfere.

I'd ask for the stupid AI scanning system to scan my car before I agree to renting it. Once they sign off on the 'all clear' notification from their AI scanner before rental, then I'd consider renting it .... but after reading this headline, I'd probably just tell them, I'm spending a few hundred dollars more on renting a car from someone else.

It's on brand. I pity the fool that doesn't know hertz is a fucked up rental agency

Isn't this the same company that called the police on legitimate customers after they messed up the paperwork?

You should also ask for a copy of the pictures or videos it takes while scanning so you can reference when returning.

Yes. And yes. And a short search shows quite a few blunders.

Edit. Autocorrect

They charged me for a broken windshield, which I paid and then wouldn't provide me a receipt for my insurance company. Then to top it off, they turned me into a collections agency because they said I didn't pay for the windshield. I will never rent from them again.

Sounds like they want to lose those customers.

But they know their competitions are doing to adopt the same type of tech, so where are those customers going to go when they have no choice?

Companies have been fucking consumers since the beginning of time and consumers, time and time again, bend over and ask for more. Just look at all of the most successful companies in the world and ask yourself, are they constantly trying to deliver the amazing service possible for their customers or are they trying to fuck them at every available opportunity?

I will bring this up again like I did my last post concerning Hertz.

While I was in Albuquerque, NM getting off the Amtrak train, I reserved our rental car from their website and went to the nonexistent address with no phone number or anything. After half an hour we called another Hertz and they basically told us to piss off and call the location we booked the car. I have few brands that I boycott and now they will be Nestle products (and sub companies) and Hertz.

And I will take this as my cue to mention that Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty are all the same company and they will each of them take every opportunity possible to fuck you.

They're all rather shitty tbh, with some regional variation

And the company that charges "gas refueling fees" for a fully charged EV.

thestreet.com

(www.thestreet.com)

I feel like the go to strategy would be to offer incredible service at first, then once you are big enough to force out competitors and the like, then you start fucking the consumer

Just spit balling here, but they probably tune the AI for different thresholds between return and rent out so that they can rake in the damage fees for things that "weren't there" during the first AI scan.

And they will totally provide those to you, no problem.