Web vs. the real world, an example

Interesting happening for me this past week. The lovely web vs. the real world.

I have been on the road a lot and was called suddenly to Cleveland. In making my rush plans I inadvertently bought a rental on Hotwire for the wrong date. Naturally, when I showed up, National didn't have my reservation. So I inquired as to the availability and price of a car and they replied that all they had left were minivans--and at $145.00 a day. I'm enough of a math wiz to know I could cab it to the client and back for less so I said no thanks.

But get this. I went back online to Hotwire right there in the lobby and found a car for $58.00 a day. I paid for it and guess who the rental company was? Yeah, National.

I stepped back up to the counter and sheepishly asked them to look again. You should've seen the looks on their faces. They were either busted for trying to price gouge me or they were as mystified as I how their prices and availability showed differently online, via Hotwire.

So, price gouging?
Simply online not connected to offline?
Quota for minivans not met?

Just made me wonder why companies would prefer to sell dirt cheap online than help out a person with a fair price in person.

Anyway, I got an awesome 'executive car' (Chrysler C)--not a minivan. Although in retrospect I may have enjoyed the minivan more. : )