RB AUTO RENTAL

- 156-20 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414

This content provides a crucial, fact-based overview of RB AUTO RENTAL, a car rental agency located in the Howard Beach section of Queens, New York. Unlike a traditional promotional article, the information is presented to serve as a vital consumer alert, synthesizing the business's stated details with serious allegations raised in public customer reviews. For New Yorkers seeking reliable and transparent car rental services, especially in the context of the region’s stringent consumer protection laws, a full understanding of this agency's operational reputation is essential.

The agency is listed as a car rental provider, accepting credit cards for payment. However, the operational details and reported customer experiences suggest a business model that deviates significantly from standard, professionally regulated car rental companies in the greater New York area. Potential customers must be aware of the stark contrast between the business classification and the concerning practices detailed in multiple public complaints. It is always recommended that consumers prioritize businesses that comply fully with New York City and New York State consumer protection regulations.

New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has established rules that rental agencies must follow, particularly regarding guaranteed reservations and transparent pricing, which directly conflict with some of the experiences described below. Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and report any potential violations.

RB AUTO RENTAL is formally located in the Queens neighborhood of Howard Beach, offering a potential option for residents of this part of New York City, or those arriving via JFK International Airport, which is relatively nearby.

Address: 156-20 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414, USA.

Cross Bay Boulevard is a major commercial thoroughfare in Howard Beach, providing a connection to the rest of Queens and Long Island. Accessibility is primarily by car, or via local MTA bus routes that service the area. While Howard Beach does not have a central subway station, the A train line is accessible in nearby Ozone Park/Aqueduct Racetrack, which would require an additional transfer or ride-share to reach the Cross Bay Boulevard location.

Customers should note that, according to one reviewer, the business may lack a traditional "storefront," suggesting that the address may be a non-commercial location or may not offer the typical counter service and operational transparency expected of a regulated car rental agency. This lack of a visible, formal business setup should be a factor in a consumer's decision-making process.

Based on its classification as a 'Car rental agency' and the activities described by customers, the services theoretically offered by RB AUTO RENTAL involve the provision of vehicles for temporary use in exchange for a fee. However, the customer accounts highlight critical discrepancies and risks associated with these services:

• Vehicle Rental: The provision of vehicles, reportedly including small economy cars, sometimes with high mileage. Serious allegations include the use of out-of-state "PAPER license plates" and concerns that vehicles may not pass New York State inspection standards.
• Payment Options: The stated payment method includes credit cards. However, customer reports also mention demands for significant cash deposits, which can create difficulties in tracking and refunding funds.
• Insurance/Waiver Sales: The agency reportedly attempts to sell additional daily insurance. One customer alleged a "scam" involving an extra $50 per day for insurance, alongside demands for higher deductibles than initially quoted.
• Communication and Quoting: The business engages in communication via platforms like Facebook and phone, offering specific, low prices (e.g., $350 a week with $300 cash deposit) that are allegedly increased significantly upon arrival (e.g., to $550 a week with $500 cash deposit), creating a bait-and-switch scenario.
• Long-term/Extended Rental: The agency handles multi-week rentals. Disturbingly, one customer reported being charged "DOUBLE the daily rate" for an extension and an "after hours fee" for a return, despite the alleged disabling of the car by the agency itself.

The "features" of this service, based on customer feedback, represent significant red flags and areas where consumer caution is paramount. These are not typical highlights but documented operational practices that consumers should be aware of:

• Price Discrepancy (Bait-and-Switch Allegation): The alleged practice of quoting low prices over the phone or online and then dramatically increasing the required fees and deposits upon arrival.
• High Cash Deposit and Hidden Fees: Reported mandatory, high cash deposits ($300–$500) and the subsequent reported refusal to refund the deposit or provide receipts for payments made.
• Questionable Vehicle Licensing and Condition: Allegations of using out-of-state paper plates and providing vehicles with high mileage and potential maintenance issues that may not meet New York State safety or registration requirements.
• Aggressive or Unethical Practices: A customer reported that the agency disabled the rental car while it was in their possession—on the morning of a family emergency—and subsequently kept the entire security deposit due to the customer being unable to return the disabled vehicle.
• Lack of Professional Documentation: Reports of difficulty in obtaining receipts for money paid, even after weeks, which is a significant indicator of poor business record-keeping and a violation of consumer rights.
• Alleged Unprofessional Conduct: Customer interactions characterized by a lack of empathy and a focus on maximizing charges, even during times of personal crisis, as explicitly stated in one review.

For informational purposes and for customers needing to pursue a complaint, the provided contact details are:

Address: 156-20 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414, USA

Phone: (917) 609-1040

Mobile Phone: +1 917-609-1040

Customers who believe they have been subject to deceptive practices or have had their consumer rights violated should contact the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) by calling 311, or the New York State Attorney General's office.

Based on the severe and consistent allegations documented in public reviews, New Yorkers are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution with RB AUTO RENTAL. The overwhelming evidence suggesting non-transparent pricing, questionable vehicle licensing, and predatory customer service—including allegations of keeping security deposits and disabling vehicles—indicates a significant risk to the consumer. For most residents seeking reliable transportation, the potential cost savings initially quoted are not worth the substantial risk of financial loss, legal complications, and stress.

What is worth choosing for a New Yorker is a car rental service that prioritizes:

• Transparency: Quoting an accurate, final price that includes all fees, insurance, and deductibles before a customer arrives at the counter.
• Compliance and Licensing: Operating with clear storefronts, proper New York State commercial registration, and correctly licensed, inspected, and maintained vehicles.
• Consumer Rights Protection: Providing immediate, professional receipts for all transactions and honoring the right to a full security deposit refund upon the agreed return of a vehicle.

For residents in the Howard Beach area and Queens, numerous reputable, fully licensed, and internationally recognized car rental agencies (such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, or Enterprise) are available, including near JFK airport and various neighborhood locations. These established providers may have slightly higher base prices but offer guaranteed vehicle quality, clear insurance policies, and adhere to New York's strict consumer laws, thereby offering a vastly safer and more professional service environment. The price of peace of mind and guaranteed legal compliance is invaluable when renting a vehicle in New York.

RB AUTO RENTAL

156-20 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414, USA