Same service different price

daheff

Ok so I had an issue with a car hire company recently and would like to hear peoples views on it

Basically I went to hire a car in country A. Based off the company's website I got a higher quote saying I was from Ireland rather than from Greece/UK for the exact same rental in country A.

The reasoning I was given by the company is due to different seasonalities in Ire/Uk/Greece at the time I was booking.

My question is if its legal under European rules to charge different prices to people based off their country of origin (single european market ?).

I'd appreciate peoples opinions/thoughts on this (while also understanding that nobody can give legal advice)

hullaballoo

daheff wrote: »

Ok so I had an issue with a car hire company recently and would like to hear peoples views on it

Basically I went to hire a car in country A. Based off the company's website I got a higher quote saying I was from Ireland rather than from Greece/UK for the exact same rental in country A.

The reasoning I was given by the company is due to different seasonalities in Ire/Uk/Greece at the time I was booking.

My question is if its legal under European rules to charge different prices to people based off their country of origin (single european market ?).

I'd appreciate peoples opinions/thoughts on this (while also understanding that nobody can give legal advice)

It's a good question. I don't think there's anything in the "European rules" that says that you cannot charge differential rates to a person based on the particular Member State from which they originate. Mind you, I haven't read all of the European rules.

What I would say is that it's practicably unchallengable. You're probably talking about a difference of a few euro per day (if even) in the difference. Even if you felt particularly outraged at this, had a few hundred thousand euro to spare and brought a challenge; you would probably be unable to argue against the free market principles that dictate price increases where demand is highest and supply is static.


Also noteworthy: looking at flights, the prices are different depending on what OS and browser you use. There are probably other metrics. For instance, if I look at flights using my hideous and useless iPad with safari, the prices are notably higher than using my glorious PC with Chrome.

daheff

hullaballoo wrote: »

Also noteworthy: looking at flights, the prices are different depending on what OS and browser you use. There are probably other metrics. For instance, if I look at flights using my hideous and useless iPad with safari, the prices are notably higher than using my glorious PC with Chrome.

very interesting...i have to say I havent seen this before...but i generally use IE or chrome....they must be targeting 'premium' iPad customers

coylemj

hullaballoo wrote: »

Also noteworthy: looking at flights, the prices are different depending on what OS and browser you use. There are probably other metrics. For instance, if I look at flights using my hideous and useless iPad with safari, the prices are notably higher than using my glorious PC with Chrome.

Must remember to dig out my Windows 98 laptop with Netscape Navigator next time I'm pricing flights and car hire!

Pat Mustard

I wonder if a proxy would work.

www.froggyproxy.com

coylemj

I just tried it on my old laptop, the flight to London is coming in at £300 but the car hire was a snip, I got a special deal on this executive model for just £2 a day....