Letter, then nothing for 3 months

[DubaiGuy]

I rented a white car back in October with no LDW but paid by Amex with coverage from them. When the agent and I walked around the car it was in a darkened parking garage. Upon returning there was a 5" or so minor scratch just above the right-front wheel well. I know it did not happen while I was driving and was almost certainly there when I picked it up.

They said they'd check the past 3 rental contracts for evidence. I was sent a letter shortly after that. I live overseas and travel every few weeks so I only received their letter now. I tried calling the number but I only get voice mail and I am sure they will not call me back overseas.

Since no follow up letter was ever sent what do you think is happening here? They say they need to know how I intend to pay - wouldn't they just charge the card I used to rent in the first place?

I am sure this is a scam... I have a car from them right now again and this time took the LDW... not really sure I want to rent from these guys in the future.

[voice of truth]

1st step...STOP RENTING FROM ENTERPRISE! Enterprise nitpicks damage on their cars like no other rental company. Not once have I seen a situation where the last 3 rental contracts were reviewed for damage and the customer actually won.

RENT FROM HERTZ OR AVIS.

Enterprise is very anal about their money. They will try to collect from you one way or another. It's not over yet...

[hekiliko'olau]

Originally Posted by DubaiGuy

I rented a white car back in October with no LDW but paid by Amex with coverage from them. When the agent and I walked around the car it was in a darkened parking garage. Upon returning there was a 5" or so minor scratch just above the right-front wheel well. I know it did not happen while I was driving and was almost certainly there when I picked it up.

They said they'd check the past 3 rental contracts for evidence. I was sent a letter shortly after that. I live overseas and travel every few weeks so I only received their letter now. I tried calling the number but I only get voice mail and I am sure they will not call me back overseas.

Since no follow up letter was ever sent what do you think is happening here? They say they need to know how I intend to pay - wouldn't they just charge the card I used to rent in the first place?

I am sure this is a scam... I have a car from them right now again and this time took the LDW... not really sure I want to rent from these guys in the future.

1. If it was "certainly there" when you picked the car up, why didn't you note it on the contract before you left?
2. They do not arbitrarily charge damage to your credit card. If you want AMEX to cover the damage, you have to file a claim. In most cases, AMEX is secondary to your own insurance, so AMEX will only be picking up your deductible, unless they find some way to get out of it. I assure you, AMEX wouldn't still be selling rental car coverage if they paid every claim they received.

[noeracforme]

This was the only thing that I will defend ERAC...The company is giving you a car, a $15k-$20k piece of inventory that they have the intent to sell after they are done using it.

That piece of paper you sign, that is a legal document that states you are responsible for that piece of inventory when it leaves the lot until it is returned. If damage has occurred to it, legally you are responsible for it.

My favorite all-time line working for this company was "That damage was already there." Really? If you knew that it was, why didn't you say something to me when I was looking around the car for damages. We are all human, but two sets of eyes are better than one. That is why we ask every customer to look with us just in case we do miss something, not on purpose.

We are sorry that it is cold,raining, or that you are late for something.
You sign that contract, you are responsible for any damage found when you bring the car back. If it dark, ask for them to pull it in the wash bay, get a flashlight, drive it to the nearest gas station.

Just realize you did it and take responsibility for it.

[caliente]

Originally Posted by noeracforme

This was the only thing that I will defend ERAC...The company is giving you a car, a $15k-$20k piece of inventory that they have the intent to sell after they are done using it.

That piece of paper you sign, that is a legal document that states you are responsible for that piece of inventory when it leaves the lot until it is returned. If damage has occurred to it, legally you are responsible for it.

My favorite all-time line working for this company was "That damage was already there." Really? If you knew that it was, why didn't you say something to me when I was looking around the car for damages. We are all human, but two sets of eyes are better than one. That is why we ask every customer to look with us just in case we do miss something, not on purpose.

We are sorry that it is cold,raining, or that you are late for something.
You sign that contract, you are responsible for any damage found when you bring the car back. If it dark, ask for them to pull it in the wash bay, get a flashlight, drive it to the nearest gas station.

Just realize you did it and take responsibility for it.

whenever someone tells me the damage was already there, i just laugh at them. then i say how come the big dent you put on the bumper isnt marked on the contract along with all the little tiny ass itty bitty scratches on the rest of the car. then when they look at me like a dumbass, i tell them hey i dont go to the hot dog stand and tell you how to put mustard on the hot dog, so dont come to my job and tell me how to do mine