Passenger door scratch

I'm a student at the University of Kent (UK). I've rented one of the 3 door cars for a day. I've just returned from the rental office in Canterbury and had one of the most unpleasant experiences ever.

The service was very good, they came to pick me up and car was in good condition. The problem was when I returned the car. The guy at the office told me to have a seat while he was checking the car. He came back saying he found a small (half an inch) scratch on the passenger side. I didn’t have a passenger with me, so the scratch was surely done when I was in some car park by somebody opening the car on it.

The guy at the office just phoned somewhere and got a quote for 158 pounds to remove a scratch which I’m sure can be removed by some polish. The person who quoted the price didn’t even look at the damage, all he was told was that there was a scratch on the side of the door.

I cannot believe I am being charged 158 pounds for a slight damage which I didn’t even do myself. I feel that I’ve been treated unprofessionally and that I am/will be overcharged. Needless to say that I’m a student and 158 pounds is a lot of money for me.

[Disgruntled ExERACer]

How did that body shop give an estimate for damage it has never seen?

Hmmm It doesn't work that way in the states. Don't pay a pound until you see something in writing.

Unless that scratch is deep into the paint, you should not get charged for it. If something other than the color than the paint appears within that scratch. If you say it can just be removed with some buffing, you should not pay a damn thing.

I chalk this up to misinformation on the part of the employees at this one particular branch.

Unless that scratch is deep into the paint, you should not get charged for it. If something other than the color than the paint appears within that scratch, you should not pay a damn thing.

I chalk this up to misinformation on the part of the employees at this one particular branch.

Did they not tell you that you were responsilble for the vehicle or do do think that Enterprise should pay out of pocket for any damages that occur if the renter did not cause it?

Should have paid for the damage waiver and you wouldn't be upset about this. Rental cars are like magnets in parking decks and lots.