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Car hire, it's finally happened. - Page 3

UKHandyMan4Hire

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 7:11am

UKHandyMan4Hire

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Posts: 800

916 helpful points

Location: Aspe

Joined: 22 May 2018

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 7:11am

Kenbo, your final paragraph is sadly all too true. I am in the process of creating a review site but it is far from complete!

GCfromVC

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 8:12am

GCfromVC

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Location: La Marina

Joined: 18 Jan 2018

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 8:12am

Kenbo wrote on Tue Jul 2, 2019 8:52am:

Over the years I have read about many acts of dishonest practice by the bigger car renters but I have had 17 years of untroubled rentals, now it was my turn.

Arrived in Alicante at 21.30 on the 16th of June at the Centauro desk on airport whereupon their lady agent gave me a very hard sell to upgrade to their expensive all inclusive insurance, I declined as I have my own annual excess policy....

...

She was very persistent and rude and I could imagine others succumbing to this type of pressure, eventually she threw the keys on the desk and stated that you are the first to drive this car, not true actually as the car had covered 500km.

I did my usual inspection of the car as best as I could as it was parked between 2 other cars.

No issues with the car during our stay and returned to the airport on 1st July. At Centauro drop off we stood behind the vehicle and waited for their agent to check the car off, he flicked a torch quickly up and down the near side and bonnet not looking too thoroughly but then suddenly dropped to his knees at the offside front bumper whereupon he located a scratch tucked underneath the bumper which could only be seen if your were on your knees.

Now, I know that I did not do this or I would have heard it and told him this firmly, nevertheless he said he had to report it and the system they use automatically charged €174 and this would be deducted from my credit card.

I also told him that I worked in the car trade and this repair would cost no more than €75, he agreed but stated as the car is so cheap to rent the money had to be made elsewhere.

I will now have to test out my annual policy to recover this amount.

Just a couple of observations here, previously I have always considered Centauro to be one of the better companies and have always had good service from them, they appear to have changed tack.

Did the rude rental lady specifically allocate me an already known marked car following my refusal to take up their expensive insurance? 

Will this repair ever be done in spite of them collecting €174 or will this particular car be used as a cost recovery mule ? In the remote hope that I come across this vehicle again all taken pictures will be saved.

I know that it is now only my word against theirs but you can't help sniffing a little fraudulent activity here can you ?

What a great bit of advice.... thanks for posting.

Like you and touch wood I’ve never had a problem and feel that I am quite vigilant.

What we need is for more people to challenge them in accordance with your guide and shame them.

Horrible horrible business people.

Once again thanks.

GCfromVC

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 8:14am

GCfromVC

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Location: La Marina

Joined: 18 Jan 2018

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 8:14am

RichardH wrote on Wed Jul 3, 2019 12:13am:

Pay their insurance no hassle simples. 

Rip off prices for their insurance. 

Makes a good deal less attractive.

Annewalks

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 11:46am

Posts: 88

28 helpful points

Location: Benimar

Joined: 22 Aug 2017

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 11:46am

We had the same experience with record. Had car 3 days and went to from airport and one other short trip. Said there was damage but kept pointing to different areas when we asked what damage. She said doesn’t matter as we insured through do you spain. Cost nearly 400 euros. No way had we damaged the car. You feel like you been had over. Thankfully the insurance is paying out which a relief. Still leaves a nasty taste. Hate car hire and only have when totally necessary 

Stan Bartolome

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 12:20pm

Stan Bartolome

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Location: Orihuela Costa

Joined: 15 Dec 2017

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 12:20pm

Another victim here.

Over he last 3 yrs, I've hired 14 cars from Goldcar at Alicante Airport. Previously I've always paid for the extra insurance at the desk instead of blocking out the credit card because it automatically confers unlimited mileage on the hire period and, as I was generally using the cars to drive from Orihuela to Fuente Alamo for work (I'm a self-employed contractor) it worked out cheaper.

This time (3 weeks ago) however, as it was a pleasure trip, I wasn't planning on doing that many miles so I blocked the card instead of paying for the CDW insurance.

Big mistake. The guy git arsey to the point where my wife said "I hope that doesn't come back to bite us."

"Don't worry" said I, "We've never had a problem before."

5 days after we got back to Manchester an email arrived detailing how they'd found several scratches & were charging us £583.20

Contacted the bank immediately & began a claim. Goldcar's customer service weren't interested & the entire system is set up to deter challenges to their decision.

It stinks & it's no coincidence in my view that the first problem we've had coincided with the first time in 15 hires that we didn't stump up the extra 200 quid at the desk.

And it's a daft practice for Goldcar because it's going to cost them about 2 grand a year in lost hire fees from us, just to scam a quick 600 quid.

Crazy.

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Noel1690

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 2:08pm

Posts: 3

Location: Javea / Xàbia

Joined: 1 Apr 2018

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 2:08pm

McCoys are the best!! British Owners 

Regards 

Noe

UKHandyMan4Hire

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 6:07pm

UKHandyMan4Hire

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Posts: 800

916 helpful points

Location: Aspe

Joined: 22 May 2018

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 6:07pm

Stan Bartolome wrote on Wed Jul 3, 2019 12:20pm:

Another victim here.

Over he last 3 yrs, I've hired 14 cars from Goldcar at Alicante Airport. Previously I've always paid for the extra insurance at the desk instead of blocking out the credit card because it automatically confers unlimited mileage on the hire period and, as I was generally using the cars to drive fr...

...om Orihuela to Fuente Alamo for work (I'm a self-employed contractor) it worked out cheaper.

This time (3 weeks ago) however, as it was a pleasure trip, I wasn't planning on doing that many miles so I blocked the card instead of paying for the CDW insurance.

Big mistake. The guy git arsey to the point where my wife said "I hope that doesn't come back to bite us."

"Don't worry" said I, "We've never had a problem before."

5 days after we got back to Manchester an email arrived detailing how they'd found several scratches & were charging us £583.20

Contacted the bank immediately & began a claim. Goldcar's customer service weren't interested & the entire system is set up to deter challenges to their decision.

It stinks & it's no coincidence in my view that the first problem we've had coincided with the first time in 15 hires that we didn't stump up the extra 200 quid at the desk.

And it's a daft practice for Goldcar because it's going to cost them about 2 grand a year in lost hire fees from us, just to scam a quick 600 quid.

Crazy.

And let me guess, it was a round figure like 200€ per problem, exactly the issue I found with Dickmanns!

Hence why I hope the guide helps people from here on in

Stan Bartolome

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 6:13pm

Stan Bartolome

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Posts: 347

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Location: Orihuela Costa

Joined: 15 Dec 2017

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 6:13pm

Spot on, mate: Exactly 200€ per problem.

Funny that, eh?

Thanks for the guide. I'll definitely use it in future.

UKHandyMan4Hire

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 6:22pm

UKHandyMan4Hire

Very helpful member

Posts: 800

916 helpful points

Location: Aspe

Joined: 22 May 2018

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 6:22pm

Wow, Next stop - mentalist on Spains Got Talent !!!

You are very welcome, I am glad it will be of use to people.

Keep pressing with your section 75 claim (with the bank, it is a Section 75 claim I take it?!) and please feel free to post under the guide topic about your experience, just to assist others.

Stan Bartolome

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 6:29pm

Stan Bartolome

Very helpful member

Posts: 347

523 helpful points

Location: Orihuela Costa

Joined: 15 Dec 2017

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 6:29pm

I'd ring in and vote for you. ;-)

Yeah, it's  Section 75 claim. I'm busy collating all the bits to post off to the Nat West & will update as things progress.

We've got to send a message to these cowboys that we're not putting up with it.

The guy at Nat West groaned when I started recounting my story & basically said they do it all the time & it's on the increase.

Dave.

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