Devon TRF Group Forum

mike · Clubman A

CAR HIRE SCAM

ttr steve · Devon's Best

This is why I never hire a car abroad and just get a bus or train. Sad to hear you are having problems, hope you get it sorted

pug · Clubman B

Going by the advice on TripAdvisor this is a scam they have been playing for years

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187479-i153-k5449354-o10-Orlando_Canaries_or_Hertz-Tenerife_Canary_Islands.html

TTR · Powermonger!!

I hope you get it sorted!

We tend to hire the car before going using carrentals.co.uk and take out an annual excess insurance to cover us from the sort of scam you have encountered.

Bit late now but, for the future, see https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire/#needtoknow-1 and https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire/#needtoknow-5

I understand Steve's point of view but it's usually only the two of us and we like to get out into the countryside and explore in a way that you couldn't do on public transport.

potus · Clubman A

It's normal for them to make you aware of the excess although as mentioned they should only pre-authorise the payment and certainty not charge it until any damage is found on returning vehicle.

It's possible to check if the payment has been taken shortly after processing (depending on your bank), if the full cost of excess is taken before you even returned the car then this should flag to the credit card company that something is not right.

I take out the separate excess cover as Brian mentioned above (although the car hire company will still pre-charge your card). A few spanish car hire companies can charge up to 1250-1500 euros as a damage excess. hmm

I put car hire companies up there with car insurance providers and cheap airlines, both of which make money by shafting you with add on's.

Hopefully your credit card company shall see the light and sort it for you. good luck.

RichT4 · Champion

mike wrote:
Took a few pictures of damage to the car before we left the depot. Returned it ten days later without incident. They accepted the car - "all is fine " your account will be credited automatically within 36 hours.

Did you check that the inspection sheet showed this damage when you accepted the car?

I once picked up a rental in Scotland that showed no damaged on the sheet yet the alloys were badly curbed and there were marks on the paintwork.

It cost me about 30 mins of waiting & buggering about but I walked around the car with their guy and highlighted ever mark & scratch, and I wouldn't sign to accept the car until it was all recorded on the inspection sheet.

mike · Clubman A

I checked all arround the car , took photos and amended their sheet to make sure all damage was logged.

They accepted the car back, said all was ok and that the my account would be credited in 36 hours. That should have rung alarm bells because it should not have been charged in the first place. but you know what its like - nice holiday- relaxed- people are generally trust worthy etc etc etc.

Could kick myself but its not over till the fat lady sings- Credit card company first stop to see what happens

cheers

Mike

mike · Clubman A

krikey Martin,

wish I had seen the Trip advisor commentary before booking. Looks like I am not alone.