Alamo claims I damaged their car

[LidoDeck]

We always look a rental car over before we leave with it. Once, maybe the day after I picked up a rental, I notice that the passenger side door molding was missing. I had no idea what had happened to it or when, but the rental car company never mentioned it to me. But since then, I always check first!

One time, however, the rental car company called us looking for the %$#@! car a week or so after we turned it in. It was 2004 and we were stuck in Manchester NH a couple extra days because flights home (Orlando) were all cancelled because of hurricanes. Every day I called to ask to keep the car an extra day. When we finally were able to fly home, hubby dropped me and our niece off at airport and he returned the car. So when they called looking for it, I went into a panic because I didn't know if we had proof we had turned it in. Bless his heart, my husband did get the receipt!! We faxed it off and thought that was the end of it. But, no, they called again to tell us that the police would be contacting us because they couldn't find the car. (Hello...I faxed proof that we turned it into you, it just isn't our problem). As it turns out, we never did hear anything else, but we are certain to document everything.

 

[DebbieB]

I had an issue with Avis at SNA a couple of years ago. When I returned the car, they wanted to know where the GPS was. I said what GPS? They said my record showed I rented a GPS. I said I have no idea how a GPS even works. They wanted to charge me over $200! Finally the counter guy called a manager over. They had the serial # of the GPS on the record and traced it, here it had been turned in a couple of days before so they knew I didn't have it.

 

[seashoreCM]

I had an issue with Avis at SNA a couple of years ago. When I returned the car, they wanted to know where the GPS was. I said what GPS? They said my record showed I rented a GPS. I said I have no idea how a GPS even works. it.

GPS? I thought that was the model of the car, like GTO.

What else comes with a rental car that could go missing?

Jack? Lug wrench? Floor mats? Instruction manual? Dipstick?

Better check.

 

[leebee]

We try to avoid renting from Alamo, as we had a big problem with them several years ago. We picked up the car at Logan airport (Boston) and drove it to our destination (about 60 miles away). We were almost there when the engine seized. NO OIL! Alamo tried to bill us for rebuilding the engine, saying it was our fault for driving the car without oil in it! Then they said it was our fault for driving the car in such a manner that the oil leaked out of it. Fortunately my BIL had a good friend who is a mechanic, who he called when the car died on us. The mechanic looked it all over, took photos, etc., so we had evidence that there wasn't a hole in the oil pan or anything to indicate that we'd misused the car. This went on for months and months. Alamo FINALLY conceded that it wasn't our fault that there was no oil in the car and it all went away, but the hassle and headaches certainly weren't worth the few dollars we'd "saved" using Alamo!

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> ... driving the car in such a manner that the oil leaked out of it ...

Psst! There ain't no such animal. Although hitting something is a horse of a diffeent feather. If some mechanic wants to correct me, I'll recant.

Should I have said, earlier, "better check the oil"?

Was the check oil light on?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Unless the damage is pointed out to you at the exact time of return, I just can't understand how you can receive a letter in the mail, days later, stating you did the damage. That ding could have been done by the attendant as soon as you walked away ?

we are very vigilant with having any damage documented by the attendant before we drive off at the beginning of the rental. But when we drop it off, never had an inspection done. This makes me think we should insist on one from now on. Heck, at the Jacksonville, FL airport, you drop your car off in the parking lot at the end of the rental period and then walk in to the office and return the key ! No one is out there to check anything....kind of scary that these car companies can just come back and say whatever they want when the mood strikes them !!!


Maria

 

[crashbb]

>>> ... driving the car in such a manner that the oil leaked out of it ...

Psst! There ain't no such animal. Although hitting something is a horse of a diffeent feather. If some mechanic wants to correct me, I'll recant.

Should I have said, earlier, "better check the oil"?

Was the check oil light on?

For the love of all things chocolate. Can you PLEASE learn how to use the quotes? I have no idea who you quoted (or if those are all your words) or in what context the comments were made.

I'd comment on your actual post, but I have no idea what you are talking about.

Sorry, mom. I'll take the points, but I've tried the proper routes and I've had enough.

 

[Disnydad]

Speaking of GPS units. My BiL rented from Dollar and also paid for the GPS unit. Well, it was stolen from the car (no damage to the car) and when he told them of the theft they said it would be $600 (approx) he owed them. He was WTH with them as he could go buy one at K-Mart up the road for $100. He had to pay the $600.

 

[snowbunny]

I'm really not sure what you are saying here.

I am saying hold-harmless clauses do not trump everything else.

 

[bavaria]

There is a long thread on flyertalk.com about 'Hertz damage scam at MUC'

I don't buy into the conspiracy theories. Mistakes can and do happen but I don't believe that this is a calculated revenue stream for rental car agencies.

Subscribing because crashbb told me to, so I posted that piece of information in case anyone wants to read over there for information or advice.

 

[seashoreCM]

I don't buy into the conspiracy theories. Mistakes can and do happen but I don't believe that this is a calculated revenue stream for rental car agencies..

It's one thing to make a mistake.
It's another thing to fight about it.
It's a third thing to fight long and hard about it.

 

[Lewisc]

I do not subscribe to the conspiracy theories that most companies are out to just file erroneous claims to make a few dollars, the customer service damage is too great. I do not believe Alamo is out to just make a quick buck, they most likely found damage, associated to the most recent renter (or some logic based on rental history and communications with renters).

One of the major companies (Avis?) had an issue with NY State a number of years ago. The company had a pattern of not fixing the car (legal) but billing subsequent renters for the same damage (not legal). They were also claiming damages far in excess of the cost of the actual repair. Nothing to do with loss of use, they were inflating repair statements.

You may not like conspiracy theories but some rental agencies, in at least some locations, have a pattern of misrepresenting (to be kind) the requirements and benefits of the the various "extras". JMO but the terms of the rental agreement should be supplementing (providing complete details) to information being given by the agent. It's just wrong to give wrong information, then blame the customer for not reading the agreement.

 

[DVC-Don]

One of the major companies (Avis?) had an issue with NY State a number of years ago. The company had a pattern of not fixing the car (legal) but billing subsequent renters for the same damage (not legal). They were also claiming damages far in excess of the cost of the actual repair. Nothing to do with loss of use, they were inflating repair statements.
..................

That was Hertz. They paid a LARGE fine. The damage estimates were way inflated.

 

[alamocares]

I would like to help. Please contact me directly at 1-866-960-5845 x64998 for assistance (Tim w/ Alamo Customer Service)

 

[mom2mizmous]

I would like to help. Please contact me directly at 1-866-960-5845 x64998 for assistance (Tim w/ Alamo Customer Service)

That is so nice of you to offer to help ! It makes ME feel better too, knowing that there are people like you working for the company! We are renting from alamo at care car center (returning to tampa airport) in July.

 

[funcinderella]

This thread reminds me of an Alamo incident I had in November. When I returned the car, the attendant put a big circle around a "chip/crack" in the windshield, and marked it as a damaged windshield, said I would need to cover the cost of replacing it, about $500! I looked at it and could not remember seeing it there all week. On further inspection, I took my finger and wiped it; off came a big smudge of sap! (We had been staying at the treehouse villas.) It really did look like a chip, I have to admit, but had I not done that I wonder if they would have still charged me once they realized their mistake (and I was already gone)...hmmm