Need Advice on bumper scratches

I returned my vehicle to Enterprise yesterday (to exchange it for a smaller model) only for them to discover some scuff/scratch marks on the front bumper. I have no experience of this occurring and can't say for sure that it didn't happen before. We did do a walk around when I picked it up and I found no damage, but it was raining and you have to bend down to really see this damage. It appears to be minor, but the Loss Control department already called, assumed I was liable and told me the estimate would be available in a week. I feel like I have no recourse. I didn't know the damage had occurred since I wasn't in the vehicle when it happened and I feel like I'm at their mercy for whatever they want to charge. Furthermore, I'm only in the rental car to begin with because my car is in the shop due to someone else's negligence in hitting it while they were parking. Their insurance company is picking up the tab on the rental, but wouldn't cover the additional insurance Enterprise offers--which is $20 per day. I'm still in a rental for another week and worried about this happening again. If it did happen while in my possession, it was likely a careless driver in the parking garage or on the city streets while parallel parking. What can I do?

Thanks.
--Frustrated

[Orangeman]

You should've rented from Hertz. They aren't 1/10th as picky about scratches and scuffs as Enterprise is. The funniest site in the world is driving by an Enterprise and watching the monkey with his nicely pressed white shirt and tie on his knees writing down every little scratch on his clipboard like he's really doing something important.

Best advice on this particular incident is to have your insurance agent and the body shop manager put in a call to the Area Manager of this location and threaten to use Hertz if they don't clear it up. If that doesn't work simply ask him or her for the name and number of the president of the company as you would like to write them a letter telling them how unhappy you are and the shop and insurance company will begin recommending Hertz.

I would tell you to take the insurance they are selling (make sure to use the term insurance because that is 100% what it is, But it is illegal for them to sell insurance so they call it damage waiver) and when you return the car demand to have the insurance reimbursed because you did not understand what they were selling you. But if you should happen to say "open the door 5 to 10 times into a steel pole REALLY hard then the insurance will cover you!

Either way ECRAP bites the bullet.

BTW they WILL get an inflated quote but will NOT get the car fixed.

[FailingEnterpriseAdmin]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I would tell you to take the insurance they are selling (make sure to use the term insurance because that is 100% what it is, But it is illegal for them to sell insurance so they call it damage waiver) and when you return the car demand to have the insurance reimbursed because you did not understand what they were selling you. But if you should happen to say "open the door 5 to 10 times into a steel pole REALLY hard then the insurance will cover you!

Either way ECRAP bites the bullet.

BTW they WILL get an inflated quote but will NOT get the car fixed.

They won't get the car fixed? Maybe the best strategy then is to ask for the receipt for the repair so that you can reimburse them for it.

There was a fairly big scandal about 20 years ago in San Francisco involving one of the major national rental car chains. They would bill customers "list price" for the damage repairs, but then the shops would do it for a discount and the rental car company would keep the difference. Someone found out and there was a big lawsuit, etc.

Tell them you'll pay for damages as soon as they get you the receipt.

[slave no more]

Originally Posted by FailingEnterpriseAdmin

They won't get the car fixed? Maybe the best strategy then is to ask for the receipt for the repair so that you can reimburse them for it.

There was a fairly big scandal about 20 years ago in San Francisco involving one of the major national rental car chains. They would bill customers "list price" for the damage repairs, but then the shops would do it for a discount and the rental car company would keep the difference. Someone found out and there was a big lawsuit, etc.

Tell them you'll pay for damages as soon as they get you the receipt.

The customer should have the choice as to whether or not he wants to pay on his own or go through his insurance company. Depending on the severity of te damage ERAC does not always repair cars right away. Sometimes they wait until it is deleted and then fix it. Not all damage requires immediate repairs. If they fixed every vehicle right away it would be even harder to take reservations because 40% of the fleet would be in the shop.

Thank you to all for the advice. I put a call in again to the loss control person yesterday afternoon simply asking that she call me back. I want to obtain the previous contracts just to be sure it wasn't there before, as it was getting dark and raining when I first rented the vehicle. She has not called back--no surprise. I also think it's great advice to only reimburse once they have a receipt for the work. This is just one of life's hassles--at least it's minor, though no one likes to feel like they're being taken for a ride, either.

--Original poster

[Living the new Dream]

As per the advice below ERAC will probably not get the car fixed straight away. If you are unable to get your money re-imbursed then should ERAC rent the car again all you have to claim is that the damage was not as great as the repair bill states and that additional damage must have occurred when on rent after you. Your damage report will say something like 'scuff/scratches to rear bumper' etc but I doubt will go into specifics. How much is a scuff? Well just claim that the scuff is not as bad as they are charging you!

[playerchick]

We were always told in our group that scuffs can be buffed out so don't make a big deal out of it. If it can catch on your nail and goes beyond the paint, then it is a deeper scratch and dx needs to be done. I am 100% positive that they will not fix that car but will rent it till it is sold ( and then sell it as is ).
I am soooo sorry you have to go through this. It is probably the most common practice at erac related to damages. They are probably close to selling the car and since the branch doesn't want to eat the damage, so they tag it on to the first customer that comes along. Explain to the Loss control person that it was dark and raining ( or whatever the weather conditions were ) and most likely im assuming you were told to the walk around in a hurry not even looking at the bumper that close ( specially if it was close to closing time and the employee was trying to finish up quickly with you ). Also ask for at least 10 previous contracts. This really sounds way tooo familiar to me. It happened all the time.

This is just one more reason to hate ERAC as they take advantage of the customer and are flat out STEALING from you! This is the reson people take advantage of the piss poor way the company is run.

[slave no more]

I can understand why ERAC charges the soft costs because all insurance companies do it. If you actually read an entire claim and the costs involved ERAC does the same thing that they do. No as far as the damage costing less than the actualy amount the insurance company pays or ERAC being shady with costs I would request to see the original est and the final bill statement. If it ends up that it is less you and your Insurance company should be informed. Loss Control people get bonuses on collecting soft costs also so watch yo ass homie!