Rental car: expensive lesson

[Anonymous]

I am kicking myself for not taking pictures of the car when I returned it. The worker circled a small scratch at the bottom the windshield and asked whether I caused it. I said no because I genuinely don’t think I did.

A month later, I noticed a new charge on my credit card statement. I called and was explained that it was for windshield repair. I asked the agent to send me pictures since he mentioned them. As soon as he did, he said goodbye. I told him that I wasn’t done and that I had questions. He said he couldn’t stay with me anymore and had to hop on the next call.

After the call ended, I zoom in on the picture and I see one long horizontal crack at the top of the windshield that is no where near the tiny scratch at the bottom. I know for a fact that I didn’t cause this. The guy I returned the car to looked all over the windshield to see other issues and the one scratch he circled was the only one. pretty

They caused the crack to justify repair and charge me for it.

At this point, I am not mad about the cost, it’s the principle.

[Anonymous]

Dispute it on your credit card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dispute it on your credit card.

+1

[Anonymous]

That sucks, I'm sorry. I am renting a car this weekend and appreciate the reminder to photograph!

[Anonymous]

Yeah I hd that happen as well. It’s a perfect setup when you are ending a trip and rushing to a flight etc and your mind is scattered.

[Anonymous]

Is it for sure the same car? For example, is the paint on the pillars the same? If it doesn't show in the picture it may not be the same car.

Surface flaws can be healed for about $25. A scratch also wouldn't cause a crack elsewhere. I think there might have been a mixup.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reminder, OP. I would dispute the charge as well, and notify the car rental that you did not cause this damage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the reminder, OP. I would dispute the charge as well, and notify the car rental that you did not cause this damage.

+1 I would dispute the charge without a second thought.

[Anonymous]

Pay with a Chase Sapphire card and they reimburse this. Primary rental coverage (unlike most cards which are secondary to your car insurance.)

Also always photograph the beginning and end of the rental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am kicking myself for not taking pictures of the car when I returned it. The worker circled a small scratch at the bottom the windshield and asked whether I caused it. I said no because I genuinely don’t think I did.

A month later, I noticed a new charge on my credit card statement. I called and was explained that it was for windshield repair. I asked the agent to send me pictures since he mentioned them. As soon as he did, he said goodbye. I told him that I wasn’t done and that I had questions. He said he couldn’t stay with me anymore and had to hop on the next call.

After the call ended, I zoom in on the picture and I see one long horizontal crack at the top of the windshield that is no where near the tiny scratch at the bottom. I know for a fact that I didn’t cause this. The guy I returned the car to looked all over the windshield to see other issues and the one scratch he circled was the only one. pretty

They caused the crack to justify repair and charge me for it.

At this point, I am not mad about the cost, it’s the principle.

Shouldn't they charge you right there?

Anyway, take a look at the meta data of the picture they sent you, to see if the date is the same as your return date. My parents' condo management tried to stick the repair of some probe holes downstairs as part of damage from their pipe leak. I almost paid for it but looked at the meta data out of curiosity. It showed the picture was taken half a year after they fixed their pipe leak. I pointed that out to the manager and he apologized. Somebody opened the wall downstairs but it was not because of the leak from my parents' bathroom pipe.

[Anonymous]

How do you find the meta data? I had a similar thing happen on an Airbnb rental, and that would be helpful to have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the reminder, OP. I would dispute the charge as well, and notify the car rental that you did not cause this damage.

+1 I would dispute the charge without a second thought.

If it goes against you, small claims court with the summons mailed to their general address. Odds are you default them before it gets routed correctly. Even if they show, the odds of them having anyone with direct knowledge able to testify are near zero

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the reminder, OP. I would dispute the charge as well, and notify the car rental that you did not cause this damage.

+1 I would dispute the charge without a second thought.

If it goes against you, small claims court with the summons mailed to their general address. Odds are you default them before it gets routed correctly. Even if they show, the odds of them having anyone with direct knowledge able to testify are near zero

^^^ This. ^^^

I successfully sued and got a default judgment against Marineland Aquarium Products for a faulty fish tank heater that broke the fish tank and caused about $4,000 in damage to my home.

I sued in Anne Arundel County small claims court, had them served at their US offices in Minnesota, and got a court date. They didn’t show up. Default judgement to me. Collected through the state AG’s office In Minnesota.

It CAN be done by mere mortals without a BAR Card.

[Anonymous]

I always take a video on my phone when we pick up the car, and when we drop it off. Sorry this happened to you and agree that more investigation is needed! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Did you hear what Hertz car rental is doing at some of their locations now?

When you rent the car and leave the rental site, they have a scanner that the car goes through do record all the dents and dings. When you return the car, they do the same and then if dings are found, you may be charged for scratches and dings that you can't even see. Bottom line - they're starting to charge for what many would consider normal wear and tear on a car.

Beware.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hertz-deploys-ai-scanner-thats-130044606.html