Beware of poor lighting and wet cars

I'm the original poster.

First off: "... buy CDW and be done with it"

Sure. I *did* buy CDW. Unfortunately over here in the 51st State all this buys you is a reduced excess. So instead of being liable for the full cost of any damage, you are reducing your maximum liability to something supposedly more manageable. Like £600.

Secondly: I challenge ANYONE to thoroughly inspect a wet car in the dark and spot any and all damage, however insignificant.

Finally, to draw a line under this episode... Enterprise did eventually capitulate and admit their inspection facilities at Heathrow are less than ideal when it's dark. In short, they gave me the benefit of the doubt, apologised, and refunded the £150 repair fee. Good on them.

Note: I have no axe to grind with Enterprise. I chose them this time around because Hertz shut up shop in my local town. As they're the only game in town right now, I might even use them again...

Cheers, Steve

[In God's Own Image]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Secondly: I challenge ANYONE to thoroughly inspect a wet car in the dark and spot any and all damage, however insignificant.

Then don't rent when it rains or buy the DW

[MightyMouse78]

Don't know how it's done there, but the employee doing the walk around should have a clipboard that has a 4 inch ruler and a 2 inch circle which are the standards which Enterprises uses for scratches and dents respectively. At least in my group. Those both show up pretty easy wet/in the dark with lights in the lot. Here in the states taking waive, or as I like to call it our "walk away policy" is the best way to go. No deductibles, no headaches, just a quick report and your done.

[iluvEcars]

Originally Posted by In God's Own Image

Then don't rent when it rains or buy the DW

great idea! i always tell that to renters who say "oh the car is wet, write that down" ok if you return when its raining or dark do you want me to say "come back tomorrow please its too wet or dark to accurately inspect this vehicle" please, customers would laugh me out of a job

Originally Posted by Unregistered

yeah, its your responsibility to check over the cars when you sign the contract. I take pictures with my camera phone of the body panels when I rent a car, the rental clerk remembers that.

THAT always amuses me. it really only helps ERAC... those pictures dont have a date or time on them usually. they are such low quality for the most part, they dont show anything and lastly, they could be from ANY car!!! there is no proof that is of the rental car. you could walk around walmart and find one similar and take pictures of it.

just look at the car very good and verify the damage on the car matches the damage marked on the contract. thats all you need to do!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm the original poster.

First off: "... buy CDW and be done with it"

Sure. I *did* buy CDW. Unfortunately over here in the 51st State all this buys you is a reduced excess. So instead of being liable for the full cost of any damage, you are reducing your maximum liability to something supposedly more manageable. Like £600.

Secondly: I challenge ANYONE to thoroughly inspect a wet car in the dark and spot any and all damage, however insignificant.

Finally, to draw a line under this episode... Enterprise did eventually capitulate and admit their inspection facilities at Heathrow are less than ideal when it's dark. In short, they gave me the benefit of the doubt, apologised, and refunded the £150 repair fee. Good on them.

Note: I have no axe to grind with Enterprise. I chose them this time around because Hertz shut up shop in my local town. As they're the only game in town right now, I might even use them again...

Cheers, Steve

much respect to you Sir! it also shows that certainly, ERAC isnt perfect, we are run by humans, and we admit to and correct our mistakes!

lastly, i will tell you from personal experience, the rep noticed the damage so easy when you were pulling in. when you are sitting out in the return lane, you watch as they pull in, its easy to see the dent glinting from different angles