Dollar rental trying to charge us for pre-existing scratch

[frannn]

We rented from Dollar in Aug. There was a small scratch on front of the car we chose that we normally would have taken a pic of...but it was small and it was late so we never did. Upon return of the car, the Dollar rep pointed out the scratch and asked DH if it was there when we picked ot up. DH said yes and we left. Today we get a letter from Thrifty asking for 300 to repair scratch. How do we avoid getting charged for a small scratch we did not cause?

 

[Jimsig]

The website https://www.elliott.org/ has some information on stuff like this. He is a consumer advocate that will help people when needed but he recommends that self help should be tried first and gives pointers on how to do it. Look through his site to get ideas as I have seen quite a few people in your situation with rental can damage.

Hopefully with out photographic proof it will work our for you.

 

[Jimsig]

I found the like on "How to Fix Your Own Consumer Problem"
https://www.elliott.org/answers/how-to-fix-your-own-consumer-problem/

be sure to read some of thr other stories he has about rental car issues to get an over all idea of what you may deal with.

Good Luck!

 

[FCDub]

Upon renting a car, I always take detailed pictures of the entire body where any scratches, dings or dents are. And then when leaving the facility, I always ask the gate attendant for a form to fill out noting such marks.

 

[a1tinkfans]

FCDub... we do the same thing.
Op: most rental places that are Most reputable, don’t even go after scratches,
I’d be putting it in writing that scratch was there when rented. You can request the video of ur exiting vehicle.
Future lesson here: never leave a rental location without going fully around vehicle/ cell pix date/time works great, stopping at exit and having it signed off. Taking the time to note employee name helps too.
Good luck! Hope you ll update us.

 

[rwdavis2]

The website https://www.elliott.org/ has some information on stuff like this. He is a consumer advocate that will help people when needed but he recommends that self help should be tried first and gives pointers on how to do it. Look through his site to get ideas as I have seen quite a few people in your situation with rental can damage.

Hopefully with out photographic proof it will work our for you.

^^^ THIS ^^^

 

[Capt_BJ]

did you rent with a credit card?

mine pays damage charges <on a rental car in some situations> if you rent on the card .....


may be worth reading your charge card 'benefits' brochure ....

 

[bumbershoot]

Contact them and have them prove it was you between August and now.

That’s basically what I told Alamo when they tried to get me for lore than a scratch. Alas there had been quite some time in between. And they couldn’t definitively say that I’d done it. So they gave up.


And NOW I take video the whole way around the car on pickup and dropoff.

 

[ice cube]

Contact them and have them prove it was you between August and now.

That’s basically what I told Alamo when they tried to get me for lore than a scratch. Alas there had been quite some time in between. And they couldn’t definitively say that I’d done it. So they gave up.


And NOW I take video the whole way around the car on pickup and dropoff.

I'm with you always take pictures on pickup and drop off.....the best was last year I had a one day rental and paid for the "loss damage waiver" (do that when going into NYC) and never got out of car except when I parked it in my driveway for the night. Dropped off the next morning and a week later received a letter delivered fedex from Nationals "loss prevention department" asking me to fill out an incident report. I called the 800 number and told them I can't fill out an incident report if there was never an incident. Long story short since I had purchased the "loss damage waiver" they were trying to file previous damage on the vehicle on my waiver. Having pictures and emailing them shut the case quicker than it started.

 

[Jimsig]

Just curious on how you are making out with Dollar?

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm with you always take pictures on pickup and drop off.....the best was last year I had a one day rental and paid for the "loss damage waiver" (do that when going into NYC) and never got out of car except when I parked it in my driveway for the night. Dropped off the next morning and a week later received a letter delivered fedex from Nationals "loss prevention department" asking me to fill out an incident report. I called the 800 number and told them I can't fill out an incident report if there was never an incident. Long story short since I had purchased the "loss damage waiver" they were trying to file previous damage on the vehicle on my waiver. Having pictures and emailing them shut the case quicker than it started.

That is sooo confusing. My ex gets free LDW using his work's code, and he would never even KNOW if they were filing something. There's no need. What you paid for the waiver is premium and deductible, basically, so why would they need you? He loves having that on his rentals specifically for the ease if they find something.

And FWIW I only started taking pictures/video of the car AFTER winning against Alamo who tried to say I'd returned a damaged car. Alas for them they had too many renters in between my rental and them writing to me! I don't doubt that I would prevail again if they tried again, but I figure that photographic evidence cannot HURT.

 

[Jimsig]

And FWIW I only started taking pictures/video of the car AFTER winning against Alamo who tried to say I'd returned a damaged car. Alas for them they had too many renters in between my rental and them writing to me! I don't doubt that I would prevail again if they tried again, but I figure that photographic evidence cannot HURT.

I do the same.

I guess there are a few apps out there that will walk you through taking the pics etc in case you have issues too.

 

[ice cube]

That is sooo confusing. My ex gets free LDW using his work's code, and he would never even KNOW if they were filing something. There's no need. What you paid for the waiver is premium and deductible, basically, so why would they need you? He loves having that on his rentals specifically for the ease if they find something.

And FWIW I only started taking pictures/video of the car AFTER winning against Alamo who tried to say I'd returned a damaged car. Alas for them they had too many renters in between my rental and them writing to me! I don't doubt that I would prevail again if they tried again, but I figure that photographic evidence cannot HURT.

I rent often from National at HPN so I know not only all the rental agents but managers as well. The manager (name withheld) I spoke to said when I returned the vehicle the attendant who went to prep the vehicle for the next rental
made a claim about the damage (existing damage). That damage claim is sent via email as soon as its discovered (HPN is a small airport so issues get taken care of quickly) to the loss department. At that point an incident report needs to be processed by the driver of the vehicle so that's why I was notified.....hopefully that explains it.

 

[motherof5]

Good info here. I have never inspected a car or thought of that before. I will make sure to do so in the future after reading these.