Travelling from Derby to Margate Kent on a work project, a broken tyre valve left me stranded in Hythe. I contacted the Folkstone Thrifty branch and a lady by the Name of Paula. went above and beyo... See more
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Review summary
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What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
First time using Thrifty and was very impressed. Particular thanks to Noel at Bristol North - super friendly, explained everything really clearly and kindly gave us an upgrade that was much appreciate... See more
Company replied
We hired a car from Thrifty in Aylesbury, Bucks over the weekend. Easy to book online and by far the cheapest of all online options. We dealt with Mohammed Tayub, rental agent at the desk. He was so h... See more
Company replied
A really good customer service from Thrifty Basildon, original car was not available, so was upgraded F.O.C. staff very friendly & extremely helpful, highly recommend this company.
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
Thrifty Car Rental can offer a wide range of hire cars and vans within the UK. We cater for customers who require manual or automatic, compact or economy through to prestige and luxury cars and vans. Reserve your hire car or van online and see how much you could save with Thrifty Car Rental.
Contact info
Scot House, Matford Park Road,, EX2 8AW, Exeter, United Kingdom
- customer.service@thrifty.co.uk
- www.thrifty.co.uk
3.6
Average
1K reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 94% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 48 hours
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Thrifty Slough - AVOID!
We booked a van to collect on a Friday, returning Saturday. We never received a confirmation email so called the day prior to rental and were told they’re closed at weekends so couldn’t accommodate???? They left us all week thinking we’d booked and never bothered to contact us to advise! Awful, useless service!
September 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Chris,
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We’re sorry to learn that your experience wasn’t as expected. Rest assured, we value your input and have shared your concerns with the relevant teams to help us make improvements in the future.
Warm regards,
The Switch Team
Terrible ,terrible Company
Terrible ,terrible Company . Big Scammers! Horrible, Horrible Manager, very rude and too greedy. They make sure they deceive you with their return policy by hiding or writing a long confusing text Terms/conditions, so they easily took away all your deposit after rental by doggy after rental scam explanation. I haven't received almost all my deposit because they abuse their rental authority. Be carefully I won't rent anything from this scammers Thrifty. NO No No.
September 14, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Wahib,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and I'm sorry the service you received did not meet your expectations on this occasion.
For us to follow up further on the points you have raised please contact us at customer.service@thrifty.co.uk.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
The good vehicles you gave and Jhon one…
The good vehicles you gave and Jhon one of the staff was very helpful.
September 15, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Asad,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review. We put a lot of effort into making our customers feel valued, so we are thrilled to hear that you are enjoying it. We look forward to delivering another excellent experience to you next time you visit. Thanks for choosing to rent with us.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Oxford branch
Oxford branch - helped by Richard Lennon to a very efficient and smooth pickup!
Great job
SJ
September 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Simon,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We're so glad to hear that you were satisfied with our rental. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality service, and your feedback is a great encouragement to us.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
A BMW 3 Series and a Ford Cougar are NOT SIMILAR🤦🏾♂️
Booked a BMW 3 Series 2 months in advance for my wedding. Went to collect it but they said that all they have is a Mini Cooper or a Ford Cougar. Absolutely ridiculous, I booked in advance and paid in advance and they can't get the correct car ready. Also in the fine print it said BMW 3 series or similar "in terms of engine size" which is STUPID. You cannot say two cars are the similar because they have same engine size, that's like saying a hatchback and a van are similar because they both have 4 wheels. You can get a 3 Liter Ferrari and a 3 Liter BMW, doesn't make them comparable vehicles. Horrendous service and horrendous rules and horrendous management. As a first time customer, I am NEVER coming back
September 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Luqmaan,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We're sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet expectations. Please know that we take your comments seriously and have passed them along to the appropriate teams to help us improve moving forward.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
John in the reception was excellent
John in the reception was excellent. Made the whole process really simple and enjoyable. Booked through my work and had a small issue which they ironed out really efficiently. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Chris,
Taking the time to leave such a great review about your hire , has really made our day. We’ve passed your wonderful review to John and our team at Bournemouth branch. We put a lot of effort into making our customers feel valued and we’re so happy to hear that you had a great experience. We loved being of service to you and hope we can assist you again soon.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Very helpful and friendly service from…
Very helpful and friendly service from John at reception. Good value, would recommend.
September 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Goldy,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto John directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Great service!
I was in a difficult situation as my car broke down and I needed a car to get to an important job. Danilo at Bristol North was so kind and friendly and offered great service!
September 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Amy,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We're so glad Danilo and our team at Bristol North branch provided outstanding service, and were able to help you in that difficult situation. We loved being of service to you and hope we can assist you again soon.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Amazing customer service from Jason and…
Amazing customer service from Jason and the team, always helped and there in 1 phone call, will definitely be booking again soon.
September 8, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Asad,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Jason directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Car hire companies …
Very good attitude with you when you are entering the office to collect your car
August 15, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Mr Palmer,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We’re thrilled that you were satisfied with our services. Your feedback is appreciated, and we hope to be of help again soon!
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Another smooth rental from Thrifty
Another smooth rental from Thrifty. Paul and colleague in the service department were very helpful. Thank you.
August 19, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Prya,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Paul directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Very good service
Very good service - very helpful especially when I did not understand some details whilst away. Gave me directions for my return and ordered a taxi for me.
Thrifty is adjacent to the A14 so did not have to navigate through Ipswich and the taxi to the Railway Station was very reasonable So pleased with Thrifty and the people I met.
August 28, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Jenny,
Thank you so much for the kind words! We're glad to hear you had a great experience and found our team helpful. We always aim to delight our customers with our customer service and our attention to detail. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Very poor experience
Very poor experience. Left me waiting an hour and twenty minutes for an arranged drop off. Then took two days to collect the car and charged me £120 for a scuffed alloy. Absolute con merchants, avoid at all costs.
September 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Tim,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Please contact us at customer.service@switchcarrental.co.uk with some more details about your experience to allow us to investigate more fully.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Avoid
They are a terrible company who will scam you out of money. I was loaned a car on behalf of the insurance company, as a result of a terrible accident, no date to collect was arranged and when they turned up out of the blue to collect, I was working, meaning I couldn’t give the car back, when they then came back to collect at their soonest possible date, I was charged for all the days that their miscommunication lead to. Don’t use this service, they ignore phone calls and have terrible customer service. Sharon in particular is unable to answer phone calls but happy to take your money.
September 15, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Freya,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We understand how disappointing it can be when your experience doesn’t match your expectations, and for that, we sincerely apologise. We take all feedback very seriously and would like to review the issues you have raised with the team involved.
Please reach out to us at customer.service@switchcarrental.co.uk with some more details of you rental.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Great customer service
Can not thank Jackie enough! Great customer service.
Leeds, LS10 1JX branch ☺️
Very happy!
August 29, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Georgia,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Jackie directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Lovely people
Lovely people, lovely car, good service but took a VERY long time.
August 29, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Maxine,
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts. We're thrilled you enjoyed your rental with us and we're keen on addressing the waiting period for a flawless experience next time.
We hope to see you again soon!
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
A lovely
A lovely, clean car and great service from Laura at King's Lynn. I'd rent here again for sure.
August 21, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Michael,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Laura directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Excellent service
Excellent service, fantastic car and great staff throughout especially on drop off from John Walsh.
August 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. John consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our customers have a positive experience, and your feedback is a great affirmation of their hard work.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Second rental in a week
Second rental in a week, great choice of cars and competitively priced. but the main reason i used them again was the fantastic customer service, big shout out to Jackie at the Hunslet branch who made the experience seamless.
August 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Gary,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a fantastic review. Providing high-quality service is at the heart of everything we do, and your feedback reassures us that we’re on the right track. We look forward to delivering another excellent experience to you next time you visit us.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Oliver,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We’re thrilled that you were satisfied with our services. Your feedback is appreciated, and we hope to be of help again soon!
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
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