Hail Damage Scam

I rented from Enterprise in LA in July 2006. (I picked up the car at Burbank and returned it at LAX.) When I returned it, the ERAC employee pointed out that by bending down and squinting at the roof, you could see these very small dents. I bent down and squinted, and yes, I could see dents, although they were not visible from any other angle. (They looked like hail damage to me. Of course, there was no hail that week in L.A.)

Now, of course, they're trying to charge me for the dents. Needless to say, I do not believe I caused the dents. (How did I cause hail damage to a car in L.A. in July?)

I've got my insurance straightened out; I'm not looking for advice there. But here's my question: Does anyone have ideas on how to prevent this in the future? I rent pretty often, and I've already seen this same scam happen to friends and family. It makes me furious to think that this is just going to keep happening, and there's nothing I can do about it.

I could rent from a different company, but frankly, even though ERAC is terrible, all the cheap companies are terrible. (Avis is OK, but they're pretty spendy, and my office won't pay for them.) I can't imagine how I could be diligent enough to catch the next minor scam-damage they're going to foist off on me. I can't possibly inspect every item in the car from every angle in perfect light every time I rent. Even looking at the roof this last time, I didn't see any problem.

Does anyone have a recommendation?

While we're at it, any recommendations on how to make ERAC feel as mistreated as I feel? BBB complaints?

fuck them, call st louis the head office and ask to speak to andy taylors executive assistant he is the owner. do not and i mean do not let them get away with this. they fucking suck. dont let them .

[EX-Heathrower]

Enterprise has a "no call-screening" policy, which means (in theory) that whichever high-up person you phone has to answer your call. They don't want to be dealing with stuff like this so will tell the relevant city/area manager to get rid of you by resolving your complaint (i.e. refunding your money). If you kick up a stink and go high up the ladder, I guarantee you'll get your money back eventually.

[greenerpastures]

There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints against Enterprise that have been logged with the BBB. If you really want to make ERAC squirm, go to the press. When I was there, everytime an article came out about damage waiver, they would immediately go through retraining/brainwashing of all employees. If you have any trouble getting your money back, make them go back through the vehicle history and send you a copy of all the contracts. Surely it was noticed at other times.

My only advice is to take the extra 3 minutes and do a thorough walk around of the vehicle at the beginning of the rental, including examining the roof and point out any damage before you leave the lot. You will avoid this issue entirely and save a ton of time and stress for you, and the poor rep who has to point out the damage upon you're return and listen to your anger.

[Jeahho]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Does anyone have ideas on how to prevent this in the future? I rent pretty often, and I've already seen this same scam happen to friends and family. It makes me furious to think that this is just going to keep happening, and there's nothing I can do about it.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Does anyone have a recommendation?

You must realise that at some point the damage happened to the car. If at any point after the damage occurred they have made a damage report on the car, or noted the damage on a previous rental contract, you can't be held liable. That being the case, this falls way short of a "scam".

[tailfins1959]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I rented from Enterprise in LA in July 2006. (I picked up the car at Burbank and returned it at LAX.) When I returned it, the ERAC employee pointed out that by bending down and squinting at the roof, you could see these very small dents. I bent down and squinted, and yes, I could see dents, although they were not visible from any other angle. (They looked like hail damage to me. Of course, there was no hail that week in L.A.)

Now, of course, they're trying to charge me for the dents. Needless to say, I do not believe I caused the dents. (How did I cause hail damage to a car in L.A. in July?)

I've got my insurance straightened out; I'm not looking for advice there. But here's my question: Does anyone have ideas on how to prevent this in the future? I rent pretty often, and I've already seen this same scam happen to friends and family. It makes me furious to think that this is just going to keep happening, and there's nothing I can do about it.

I could rent from a different company, but frankly, even though ERAC is terrible, all the cheap companies are terrible. (Avis is OK, but they're pretty spendy, and my office won't pay for them.) I can't imagine how I could be diligent enough to catch the next minor scam-damage they're going to foist off on me. I can't possibly inspect every item in the car from every angle in perfect light every time I rent. Even looking at the roof this last time, I didn't see any problem.

Does anyone have a recommendation?

While we're at it, any recommendations on how to make ERAC feel as mistreated as I feel? BBB complaints?

Start photographing the car during the pre-rental inspection. I'm surprised one of the coconuts on this board hasn't answered you with "The damage was found while you had the car, just pay for it, you piece of @##%#%". Don't forget to file a Small Claims lawsuit againt Enterprise AND to post your experience on www.ripoffreport.com .

[MarbleCheese]

Originally Posted by tailfins1959

Start photographing the car during the pre-rental inspection. I'm surprised one of the coconuts on this board hasn't answered you with "The damage was found while you had the car, just pay for it, you piece of @##%#%". Don't forget to file a Small Claims lawsuit againt Enterprise AND to post your experience on www.ripoffreport.com .

Welcome Back Toolfins! Try to offer some practical advice. You expect every renter to carry a camera and photograph every rental car, this process will be so bogged down it'll take 5 hours to get a car.

By the way, the poster said he can only see the dents if he squinted, how do you make a camera squint ? - just wondering.

Originally Posted by tailfins1959

Start photographing the car during the pre-rental inspection. I'm surprised one of the coconuts on this board hasn't answered you with "The damage was found while you had the car, just pay for it, you piece of @##%#%". Don't forget to file a Small Claims lawsuit againt Enterprise AND to post your experience on www.ripoffreport.com .

After reading more of your stuff, I have to ask....Were you born a prick, or did you just strive to become one? You seem like the type that would pull this "sue them and report them" attitude on a drop of a hat with any company. Man, it must suck to be you.

Originally Posted by reality

After reading more of your stuff, I have to ask....Were you born a prick, or did you just strive to become one? You seem like the type that would pull this "sue them and report them" attitude on a drop of a hat with any company. Man, it must suck to be you.

He doesn't get laid