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Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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Pauly123
New User
Oct 29, 2020, 7:37 PM
Post #1 of 10
(1890 views)
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Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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Hello,
I recently rented a GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van through a car rental company. When I returned the vehicle, they discovered light scratches on the roof near the rear of the vehicle. I being accused for damages I did not cause so it’s now my word against there’s. 4 months later, I receive a bill for $1100 worth of damage repairs. I’m not a professional mechanic and my gut feeling is that I’m being taken advantage of here. The car rental company knows full well someone will pay for the damages, so they say yes to whatever it’ll cost. I’m hoping a mechanic can provide their expert opinion to my inquiry. What’s the estimate repair cost for light scratches to roof of a cargo van? Happy to provide photos and invoice. Really need your help.
Thank you
(This post was edited by Pauly123 on Oct 29, 2020, 7:53 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 29, 2020, 10:22 PM
Post #2 of 10
(1825 views)
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Re: Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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Agh! This isn't so much about the costs of fixing scratches if real and required fix and paint it's about whether YOU did this or it happened while it was in your custody?
I still smell a fish but "fishy" is 4 months late not marked off bill that is was there upon return AND not there before you took it.
I'm sure it's late now but do you or they have a check list of any existing damage before you rented it to sign and agree to returning it at which time YOU take pictures it's like when you took it.
The late charge suggests to me this is a routine hoping you'll cave in and pay up now YOU can't prove it was fixed can you? Before and after pics available, time/date stamped to match it to you?
I feel for you with this hate it and try to avoid renting things myself would use a "credit card" that would cover it and deal with it leaving me out short of intentional or clearly my neglect is a grey area.
They could charge you up for the down time it was tied up being fixed not able to rent it too so a real rock and hard place.
IDK? I'd refuse first put the ball in their court but unless you have some papers that they were happy with it upon return or full coverage (nasty expensive) of your own or thru them bet this is a fight may need some help perhaps if you have your own vehicle with insurance ask them how to proceed.
Look thru some papers I hope you saved in some format for renting it see if you find a time limit to inform you this was found the exact time you returned it or if dropped off with nothing I'd freak and have pictures of it at return time?
Good luck just know if you even start to pay it's probably admitting it's possibly your problem now after the fact if it was at all?
T
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Pauly123
New User
Oct 30, 2020, 5:06 AM
Post #3 of 10
(1805 views)
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Re: Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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Hi Tom
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post.
I know 100% that I did not cause the damage while it was it was in my possession it was only driven and parked on the streets. Never enter low clearing heights.
When I took out the vehicle the inspection sheet indicated no damages to the roof. Although I did not see the employee inspect the roof, I assumed the roof is not of concern as mostly they are looking for noticeable damages. Plus, I can’t physically see the roof from eye level. (I’m 5”11) I did not take pictures during the check out, which is something I should’ve done.
As for the insurance, I made a call to my credit card company to see if such a vehicle is insured by them and they told me it was not. So I opted for their insurance.
When the employee explained the insurance coverage, he said it’s covered “bumper to bumper” coverage, excluding window, tire, undercarriage. Then there were forms to sign stating I understand and read the “terms and condition”. Here is the kicker, when the scratches were identified I had to file for a claim with their insurance company. Turns out the insurance doesn’t cover “above windshield” damages. Which is in their fine print. Total BS.
I’ve tried to resolve this issue by having them check their prior inspection and the inspections after I returned the vehicle (3 months later is a long time and additional damages could’ve have been done) they said no scratches were noted in the previous renters before me. Their inspection methods are questionable.
So the fights stands now where they have black and white documents covering their @ss and I’m stuck trying to despite these allege damages. Yes, good idea. I will ask for actual proof if the repairs were actually completed.
If I do decide to pay for these damages I would rather have a third party mechanic assess cost and not just rely on their “buddy mechanic”. I just want to know if the cost is justifiable. I do have pictures of the damages. On the bill they did charge 4 days for down time and legal fee. So that in addition to the $1100 repair cost.
Word of advise to anyone looking to get a rental car
1) video record the employee inspecting your vehicle
2) take pictures of the entire vehicle front to end
3) bring a step ladder or have them provide one so you can inspect the roof. Leave nothing to chance.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 30, 2020, 5:26 AM
Post #4 of 10
(1799 views)
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Re: Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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Clever RIP-OFF! Your call, see if a lawyer is right for you. Notations of that damage wasn't made when you returned it unless I missed that.
Still some question to me about time limits for notifying YOU that it was you.
For the $1,100 bucks with what you said I'd at least call a law office/lawyer that offers a "courtesy" of hearing you and what you've said here.
Insurance is in biz to NOT pay out, make excuses and wear you down till you break.
Sorry this happened to you it's not so much automotive (the site is) nor the body work what you might find or with help is this isn't the first time bet you win.
Refresh: If you pay a single dollar without a disclaimer of your own you are screwed! You said it already, it's their word and yours so where are their pics showing it was good and then not when YOU returned it?
Hate this crap sure seems you are playing fair (not involved one sided like this) hope you both get out of it and stop them from doing this to others even better,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 30, 2020, 5:30 AM
Post #5 of 10
(1798 views)
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Re: Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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I hear about car rental companies doing this all the time. This is why it is so important to inspect the vehicle when you take it and at the very least when you return it.
They do this all the time "after the fact". This is nearly always old damage and they even collect on the same damage more than once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Pauly123
New User
Nov 1, 2020, 7:55 AM
Post #6 of 10
(1742 views)
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Re: Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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I called to dispute this early on but I got no call backs or fall ups from their claims department for 2-3 months. Their excuse was they have “so many” claims to get through.
Tom, what do you mean by “without a disclaimer of your own”?
I intend to plead my case in court if they want to sue me to collect my damages. I will speak to a lawyer and get advice, thanks for the tip.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 1, 2020, 8:07 AM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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By that I meant YOU can hand write your own "fine" print must before you sign takes precedence over unreadable fine print. They wouldn't also accept that but might.
Never mind the statement they are so backed up with this mess not enough people to handle it speaks for itself. It's a lot of bucks - if anyway they can be that late and still valid just try small claims (cheaper and easy I think) will go up that high in some places. Trust me they don't want to send a person, in person or that case is LOST, you win and ends it TMK.
Future rentals: Deal with better folks or if you have one use a CC that covers losses if available to you they'll fix it and you're on your way no games,
Tom
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Pauly123
New User
Nov 1, 2020, 8:52 AM
Post #9 of 10
(1723 views)
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Re: Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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Understood. Thank for elaborating.
Cargo vans and large pick up trucks are not covered by CC auto insurance believe it or not. I just don't believe they should get any payment period. Bunch of scammers.
Hammer, they had my CC on file but when asked me for my card to charge deductible of $1000 (written in their fine print). I immediately called my CC company and cancelled it so they can't just charge what they want without consulting with me first as this is was still an ongoing investigation/dispute.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 1, 2020, 9:55 AM
Post #10 of 10
(1719 views)
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Re: Over charge repair job - Car Rental Company
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CC! Great. You don't owe that till THEY prove to (IDK who) that you do. There's just GOT to be a time limit that's expired on that as YOUR OWN CC company to save a buck,
T
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