Budget Car Rental Shaker Heights OH: A Local Cleveland Area Rental Option

Budget Car Rental Introduce

For residents and visitors in the greater Cleveland area of Ohio, securing reliable ground transportation is essential for everything from business travel to a weekend getaway across the Buckeye State. The Budget Car Rental location in Shaker Heights, situated on Lee Road, provides a readily accessible, off-airport option for those needing car or van rental services. As a location operating under a major national brand, it theoretically offers the benefit of a vast fleet and standardized policies expected from a major industry player.

This facility is officially categorized as both a Car Rental Agency and a Van Rental Agency, making it a versatile choice for Ohio users. Whether a local needs a fuel-efficient sedan for a week of commuting, a full-size car for a family trip to Columbus, or a passenger van for a group outing to Cedar Point, this location is equipped to meet a variety of needs. Furthermore, the agency is noted for offering specific benefits to qualifying customers, such as active military discounts, which is a valuable feature for service members and their families in the region.

However, potential customers in Ohio should approach this specific location with a strong degree of caution and full awareness of the public feedback. The available customer reviews for the 3596 Lee Rd address are overwhelmingly negative and highly critical of the local management, vehicle condition, and cleanliness. Reports describe "filthy" and "smoke-filled" vehicles, a general "unclean vibe" in the office, and difficult, unaccommodating service from local staff regarding attempts to exchange unsatisfactory cars. One reviewer noted receiving a vehicle that reeked of cigarette smoke despite the company's official no-smoking policy, which posed a serious health risk for an immunocompromised individual.

These serious local issues stand in contrast to the reliable reputation of the Budget brand generally. Customers are strongly advised to heed the specific warnings about the Shaker Heights, Lee Road branch, and prepare for a possibly challenging experience, or consider one of the other Budget/Avis locations, such as the one at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, which, according to one review, provided immediate, supportive service that resolved the issues encountered at the Shaker Heights location.

Location and Accessibility

The Budget Car Rental office is conveniently located in the community of Shaker Heights, making it accessible to residents of this affluent Cleveland suburb, as well as those coming from nearby areas like Cleveland Heights, University Heights, and the eastern side of the city.

The official address is:

3596 Lee Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44120, USA

Operating hours typically reflect the needs of a local business user base, with general hours being Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and shorter hours on weekends (Saturday and Sunday, typically 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM). It is always essential for Ohio customers to call ahead to confirm holiday and weekend schedules.

In terms of physical access, the facility is noted for having:

Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot

These features ensure the location is compliant with accessibility standards, a positive aspect for all customers in the Ohio region needing vehicle rental services.

Services Offered

As a national brand, the Shaker Heights Budget location offers a comprehensive range of rental services designed to meet diverse local transportation needs:

Passenger Vehicle Rentals, including Economy, Compact, Intermediate (e.g., Toyota Corolla), Standard (e.g., VW Jetta), and Full-Size (e.g., Toyota Camry) cars.
Specialty and Group Vehicle Rentals, offering SUVs, Premium/Luxury cars, and Passenger Vans (e.g., 12-passenger Ford Transit), ideal for larger Ohio families or group travel.
Payment Flexibility, accepting both major Credit Cards and Debit Cards for payment and deposit requirements.
One-Way Rentals, allowing customers to pick up in Shaker Heights and drop off at another Budget location, which is useful for longer trips across Ohio or out of state.
Long-Term and Short-Term Rentals, accommodating everything from a single-day need to extended monthly rentals.
Extended Roadside Assistance, available as an optional service for added peace of mind during travel throughout Ohio and beyond.
Fuel Plans and e-Toll Solutions, offering various options to manage refueling and toll road fees for convenience during the rental period.

Features / Highlights

The key features of the Budget Car Rental location on Lee Road that should appeal to Ohio consumers are a mix of brand benefits and local accessibility provisions:

National Brand Fleet Access, providing a wide variety of car and van classes from which to choose.
Active Military Discounts, offering savings for service members and veterans residing in or traveling through Ohio.
High Accessibility Standards, featuring a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Parking Lot.
Convenient Neighborhood Location, serving the Shaker Heights and eastern Cleveland suburbs as a close-to-home option, avoiding the often-busier airport rental desks.
Flexible Payment Options, accepting both Credit and Debit Cards, which is a major convenience for many local Ohio renters.

Contact Information

Ohio customers wishing to contact the Shaker Heights Budget Car Rental location directly for reservations or inquiries can use the following details:

Address: 3596 Lee Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44120, USA

Phone: (216) 591-9004

Mobile Phone: +1 216-591-9004

It is highly recommended to use these direct contact numbers to confirm your reservation, check vehicle availability, and inquire about specific vehicle conditions and policies before arriving at the location.

What is Worth Choosing Budget Car Rental (Shaker Heights)

For an Ohio resident, choosing the Budget Car Rental on Lee Road in Shaker Heights comes down to the balance between national brand infrastructure and severe local service concerns. On one hand, the advantages are clear: you get access to a large, varied fleet (including vans) and national programs like one-way rentals and active military discounts. The local convenience for those in the eastern Cleveland suburbs, bypassing the need to drive to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), is also a definite plus.

However, the highly detailed and universally negative customer reviews regarding this specific location present a significant risk that cannot be ignored. Recurring complaints of filthy, smoke-filled vehicles, broken components, and uncooperative or dishonest local management staff suggest a systemic issue with service delivery and adherence to basic cleanliness and vehicle maintenance standards. One review specifically noted that an off-site manager at the CLE airport confirmed that the Shaker Heights location manager, "Presha," was misleading customers about her authority to assist, which further damages confidence in the local team.

Therefore, this location is only worth considering for the Ohio user who absolutely requires the convenient location and is prepared to be highly vigilant. If you choose to rent here, you must take extreme precautionary measures:

Thoroughly inspect the vehicle for cleanliness, mechanical function (including things like cruise control and technology features), and smoke odor before leaving the lot.
Take detailed photos and videos of any damage or cleanliness issues immediately upon pickup.
Be prepared to escalate any issues immediately and directly with Budget Corporate or use the alternative CLE Airport location for exchanges, as the local Shaker Heights management may not provide adequate support.

In conclusion, while the national brand offers expected benefits like discounts and a large fleet, the documented local deficiencies make the Shaker Heights, Lee Road branch a high-risk option. Ohio customers should weigh the convenience against the strong likelihood of a frustrating, and potentially unhealthy, rental experience.

Budget Car Rental Details

Highlights
Active military discounts

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards

Budget Car Rental Photos

Budget Car Rental Location

Budget Car Rental

Ohio Cuyahoga County Shaker Heights Lee Road

3596 Lee Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44120, USA

Budget Car Rental Reviews

An average rating of ★4 from 126 user reviews.

pricecleanairportfeepaysmokingcallnumberefficientpatient

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

If I could give zero stars, I would. They stuck me with a filthy, smoke-filled Chevy Malibu with broken cruise control and CarPlay. The dashboard was so dirty I had to clean it myself. They claimed it was the only car available for drop-off in Detroit, despite having plenty of nicer ones. I ended up sick, missed my presentation, and had a ruined weekend thanks to their irresponsible management. Never ever going back!
August 11 · Hossein Mazaheri
One Star is Too Generous – Horrible Experience at Budget in Shaker Heights (Lee Road)My recent experience at the Budget/Avis location in Shaker Heights on Lee Road was so unacceptable that I feel obligated to warn others.From the moment I arrived, I was hit with an overwhelming stench of Black & Mild cigars and stale air. The office was filthy – dusty carpet, poor ventilation, and just an overall neglected, unclean vibe. I had prepaid for my rental, expecting at least a clean, smoke-free car. Instead, I was given a vehicle that reeked of cigarette smoke. The smell was so strong that both my clothes and my daughter’s clothes absorbed it—absolutely disgusting and completely unacceptable.I called the location immediately and was told to return the next day to exchange the car. When I arrived, I was greeted by Presha, who claimed to be the manager. She informed me there were only two cars available, and they were pending pickups. If those renters didn’t show by 5 p.m., I might get one. When I asked what would happen if they did show, she casually told me I’d have to drive out to Cleveland Hopkins Airport to exchange the vehicle—something I was not prepared for nor told about in advance.I explained my travel plans: I was in town visiting family for a week and then headed to Dayton to visit my in-laws. Presha offered zero support—no refund, no gas credit, no empathy, despite me receiving a vehicle that violated Budget’s own no-smoking policy. I asked her to call the airport location ahead of my visit to explain the situation and save me the hassle of waiting in their notoriously long line. She refused, stating locations cannot call each other, which I found hard to believe.And I was right. When I arrived at the Hopkins Airport Budget location, I was helped immediately by a genuine manager who was both apologetic and accommodating. She confirmed that if Presha truly was a manager, she absolutely had the authority to contact another location directly. So either Presha lied or is dangerously uninformed. Either way, she should not be dealing with customers.On top of all this, I am immunocompromised. Riding in a car saturated with smoke poses a serious health risk for me. Budget’s disregard for this is deeply troubling.I will be following up with Budget Corporate to escalate this issue. I’ve rented many times before, and I’ve never had such a miserable experience. While the airport staff was a saving grace, the Shaker Heights location is a disgrace to the Budget/Avis brand.Do yourself a favor: DO NOT rent from the Budget location on Lee Road in Shaker Heights. Save your time, money, and health. I will never rent from Budget or Avis again.
July 16 · Leslie Oliver
Horrible.. it took more than an hour.. only one person for entire office. This place ruined my day. Never come to this place to rent your car
August 01 · Dhruv Gohel
This morning, I called Budget in Shaker Heights, OH; Lee Rd. I received an absolute horrific service from a person who answered the phone. I asked a question and their response was so off-putting(tone and answer), and I didn't understand the answer. I asked to speak with a manager, and they told me NO, and I didn't need to speak to a manager. I then proceeded to ask the person their name, and they responded by saying, "You don't need to know my name." I was in disbelief that this was happening to me. I asked again for their supervisor. They continued to refuse. With good reason, I got upset and informed them that I would attempt to escalate this, and I hung up the phone call. This person was very rude, mean, and nasty to me. Even after I asked them why they were so rude. They said , "Why just because you don't like my answer.I am sending you this message because I just feel that this service was unreal. We can go anywhere to rent a car but I choose Budget and Shaker Location. And to receive that treatment from a large company was so distrustful and unfair. It's sad that this is the state that we are in especially in a large inner city community. It's said how mean we are to people. The the level of customer service is at all time low.
January 22 · Mi-Lin Tate
Beware! They run a scam operation out of this location. We arrived 25 mins prior to close (which was also our scheduled drop off time per the reservation), the doors were locked and the lights off, we didn’t know what to do, so we called the call centre for advise. While on hold, the employee walked out of the office, locked the doors behind her and left 20 mins before closing time. We told her we were there to drop off a car and she barely spoke to us, and indicated to leave the keys in the drop box, got in her car and drove away. Next day, we see charges on our bill for “late drop off”, $450 in “miscellaneous”, and over $100 for gas despite filling up the tank to fill prior to drop off with photos and receipts. We called the call centre and asked what the miscellaneous charges were for, and to dispute the gas charge and late drop off fees as well and were told we were charged for “smoking” in the car- I do not smoke and nobody smoked in the vehicle during my use at all. The call centre said the couldn’t waive the fee and I’d have to speak to the actual location regarding this, but it’s impossible to get hold of them and I am now home 500 miles away, leaving me to have to dispute this with my cc. I’ve used Budget many times in the past but never again!
February 12 · M Yes