Dollar Return Issue

[DsneyDude1]

Anyone had a problem returning a car at the Dollar location? Yesterday afternoon the guy taking the car from me informs me that there are dings on the right side. I said they were there previously. He had me write that on the report. I was not happy about this and have rented from Dollar many times. I called the department that handles this and she told me it takes 2 weeks for them to process the paperwork. She said she couldn't guarantee that I wouldn't me charged. Has anyone else had this experience and how did it turn out? I really felt like I was being scammed. It really is going to affect my future decisions on renting from Dollar.

 

[disneyfor3]

One thing my husband and I do when we initially rent a car from anywhere is to look it over closely for any dents, dings or scratches. When we pull up to the window we have the rental person note any dents or dings on the forms ahead of time so there will be no doubts when we return the vehicle.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by DsneyDude1
I really felt like I was being scammed. It really is going to affect my future decisions on renting from Dollar.

If the dings weren't noted when you rented the car how does Dollar know you're not scamming them? You have a point if the dings are so minor that they didn't merit noting. You really have to inspect the car when you rent it.

Thrifty (in Vegas) actually put tiny clear stickers on the dings. They had big signs that said any dents not noted would be charged. Basically they were trying to encourage people into buying the damage waiver.

 

[sgtdisney]

I always check out the car before I drive away in it. Sometimes I think the agent checking me out must think I am crazy or something because I can see door dings on cars very easily and I point out ever single one and make them note it on the rental contract. Unfortunately if the dings were on the car when you rented it and were noticable, but not noted at the time they may try and charge you. You can always dispute it with them and your credit card company if you can't come to an agreement with the agency. I don't think this is something unique to Dollar though as all agencies are pushing for the insurance and this is there way of getting money out of people who refuse it.

It is a good lesson for others renting cars though. Walk around that car and inspect it like you would if you were buying it new. Make them notate every single ding, scratch, scuff or mark on your contract before you sign it.

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by DsneyDude1
Anyone had a problem returning a car at the Dollar location? Yesterday afternoon the guy taking the car from me informs me that there are dings on the right side. I said they were there previously. He had me write that on the report. I was not happy about this and have rented from Dollar many times. I called the department that handles this and she told me it takes 2 weeks for them to process the paperwork. She said she couldn't guarantee that I wouldn't me charged. Has anyone else had this experience and how did it turn out? I really felt like I was being scammed. It really is going to affect my future decisions on renting from Dollar.

I hate to say it DsneyDude1, but it actually is your responsibility to make certain that any damage to the car is reported to the lending agency before you drive out of the garage. This is the case with any company.

Now, as one other poster put it, if the damage is really slight then you probably won't have anything to worry about. Anytime I rent a car from any agency, I will always do a quick walk-around to make certain that there is no exterior damage to the vehicle, and then I do a check of all the major interior items, such as radio, a/c, windows, and door locks to make certain nothing is broken.

We had a flawless rental experience with Dollar on our last trip, and will probably use them again this year.

Brian

 

[DebbieB]

One time I rented with National, I didn't notice in the garage that the corner of the right tail light was broken and a large scratch on the side next to it. Looked like someone backed the corner into something. I noticed it when we stopped to get groceries. The car only had 1,000 miles on it. I called National immediately when we got to the hotel. They said to mention it at return. I mentioned it to the return attendant and she said I had to go inside to the counter and fillout a report. I did, I stated that I did not do it, noticed it when we got to the store and that I called immediately. I never heard anything more about it. I do check more carefully now, the problem is that garage is dark.

 

[safetymom]

I use my digital camera to take pictures of the car when I pick it up at the rental lot. That way I have proof of the condition of the car. Make sure to have something identifying the lot or area.

 

[jctwizzer]

We too, had the return guy at Dollar point out a ding. When I tried to discuss it with him, he referred me to the counter inside...luckily I could use Fastlane....discussed it with the counter person, made out a report; never heard another word about it.
have used Dollar since then with no problem...good luck

 

[DsneyDude1]

Thanks everyone for some good suggestions/encouragement. Hopefully, as some others mentioned, I will hear nothing further on it. But thanks for the tips to protect myself further in the future.