Europcar - WTF? Damage?

[UP4014]

I don't and wouldn't use Europcar, just like airlines, not all car rental companies were created equal.

Matt

 

[pagingjoan]

Over the past few years, we have used Europcar frequently, particularly in the UK and various parts of Europe, and usually for a week or two at a time. Have never had a problem (other than the trivial annoyance of a bit of a wait for the shuttle bus at times). We certainly do a thorough walk around on collection, and have usually found that there is a joint inspection available on return - although that has not always been the case with other rental companies. Always leaves an uneasy feeling when returning a vehicle to an unattended location, I agree.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

SO was in CNS this week & accidentally locked the keys in the rental car. He calls Europcar to ask if they've got a spare key. Thiey did, however all the spare keys are in MEL!

His options were to either pay the $148.00 fee for RACQ to come & unlock the car or still pay for the car rental on a car he couldn't use & pay the courier fee for them to send the keys from MEL to CNS.

He paid to $148.00 so he could use the car that day but not before calling RACQ as he's a member to see if they could help. Once they found out the car rego was a rental they just handballed him straight back to Europcar.

I would be interested to know what RACQ actually charge Europcar for the unlocking. I wouldn't mind betting that Thrifty add on a nice little surcharge to the customer.

 

[bossreggie]

I would think that the rental car companies would be covered by the manufacturer's roadside assistance program so the call out would cost them nothing. The $148 would be total profit. I


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[The Rok]

Most manufacturer warranties road side assistance excludes vehicles used for hire & rewards.

 

[Mal]

Doesn't the racq have a higher tier membership that allows you to get service on any car? Perhaps a bday or similar pressie.

Had a mate who broke down recently and joined racq on the spot. Think the callout fee was over 100 plus the membership.

And yes, with bulk membership etc i doubt the coat to europecar is high.

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[Simo]

$148 would be a huge profit for Europcar.

Most fleets are on a deal that they pay per time the use roadside assistance.

My own work use to do it and from memory we had to pay around $20 per call out and that was start of the 2000's.

RACQ membership for an entire year is not $148 and I think that is even at the top tier it is not that much.

 

[markis10]

$148 would be a huge profit for Europcar.

Most fleets are on a deal that they pay per time the use roadside assistance.

My own work use to do it and from memory we had to pay around $20 per call out and that was start of the 2000's.

RACQ membership for an entire year is not $148 and I think that is even at the top tier it is not that much.

Top teir membership with RACQ is $249 + $33 joining fee, roadside assistance basic is $78 + $33 or $111 in total.

 

[pagingjoan]

SO was in CNS this week & accidentally locked the keys in the rental car. He calls Europcar to ask if they've got a spare key. Thiey did, however all the spare keys are in MEL!

His options were to either pay the $148.00 fee for RACQ to come & unlock the car or still pay for the car rental on a car he couldn't use & pay the courier fee for them to send the keys from MEL.

That really is an outrageous system.
(And, by chance, we are using Europcar this weekend. Better hang on to those keys!)

 

[wmetz]

If you have highest membership then it doesn't matter what car you driving, as you should receive service. That what I thought unless there is some exclusions?

 

[Mal]

Top teir membership with RACQ is $249 + $33 joining fee, roadside assistance basic is $78 + $33 or $111 in total.

There is also the insurance perks etc.so my suit people. Especially handy if you're travelling with a friend and their car breaks down or gets a flat etc. Not that is allowed by the rules. From memory you also get priority service, but solo women and certain other people also get that.

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[oz_mark]

$148 would be a huge profit for Europcar.

Most fleets are on a deal that they pay per time the use roadside assistance.

My own work use to do it and from memory we had to pay around $20 per call out and that was start of the 2000's.

RACQ membership for an entire year is not $148 and I think that is even at the top tier it is not that much.

FLeets are typically on a system where there is a charge for being on the books. To a large extent this is to cover the administrative side of the motoring clubs providing the roadside assistance. Keeping in mind that the car is covered nationally, there is a need to have it on all the systems of the individual bodies in each state. While this charge is smaller than what you or I could go and buy at a retail level, it still exists. In some cases this charge is affected by the call out rates on the fleet. The higher the call out rate, the higher the charge.

On top of that, there is the Fee for Service charge, and there will be a charge for a callout to unlock a car. Without looking at the flow of funds, one cannot say that it is Europcar making the profit or not. To me, it does not seem out of proportion to what they would be charged.

In terms of who covers what when there is a manufacturer coverage and a fleet coverage, that is basically included in the agreement (from memory, it is usually one or the other, with exceptions where one side has better coverage allowances)

 

[NM]

Doesn't the racq have a higher tier membership that allows you to get service on any car?

Yes, you need to be at the RACQ Ultra Care cover level to be covered for any car you are driving and for any driver of the nominated vehicle.

Top teir membership with RACQ is $249 + $33 joining fee, roadside assistance basic is $78 + $33 or $111 in total.

That fee is for the RACQ Ultimate Cover. The Ultra care level would be all that is needed in this case, and I just renewed mine last week for $149.25 which includes a discount for being a Gold member (25 years). Standard renewal fee for Ultra care is $173.

 

[markis10]

Yes, you need to be at the RACQ Ultra Care cover level to be covered for any car you are driving and for any driver of the nominated vehicle.


That fee is for the RACQ Ultimate Cover. The Ultra care level would be all that is needed in this case, and I just renewed mine last week for $149.25 which includes a discount for being a Gold member (25 years). Standard renewal fee for Ultra care is $173.

The quote was in the context of "even the top tier is not $148" , not advocating it would be suitable for the problem in question, just pointing out that the top level is quite a deal more expensive than most think and the entry level is not far off the $148 charged.

 

[markis10]

Interestingly yesterday in DRW got a call in the lounge on the mobile claiming that there was damage to the drivers door and it could not have been another car as none has parked next door, I explained that it was not possible as I had photos of the car at drop off and that I would come down and check it out as I was still in the terminal, oddly the lady seemed surprised I was still at DRW. Got down to the booth and apparently she had made a mistake, it was a car dropped off after mine, however it did leave a sour taste in my mouth, still not sure how she could be adamant that no car had parked next door!

 

[lovestotravel]

Interestingly yesterday in DRW got a call in the lounge on the mobile claiming that there was damage to the drivers door and it could not have been another car as none has parked next door, I explained that it was not possible as I had photos of the car at drop off and that I would come down and check it out as I was still in the terminal, oddly the lady seemed surprised I was still at DRW. Got down to the booth and apparently she had made a mistake, it was a car dropped off after mine, however it did leave a sour taste in my mouth, still not sure how she could be adamant that no car had parked next door!

I have a feeling this would have ended differently if you had not been able to visit her in person and check the car for yourself......................

 

[munitalP]

I have a feeling this would have ended differently if you had not been able to visit her in person and check the car for yourself......................

Yes, my thoughts exactly. Kudos markis10 for pics. I will follow suit from now on with that idea.,.

 

[lovestotravel]

Indeed, I have started taking photos now of my rentals, since I stopped paying for the full insurance coverage with Hertz and never used to worry about it....

 

[eastwest101]

Interestingly yesterday in DRW got a call in the lounge on the mobile claiming that there was damage to the drivers door and it could not have been another car as none has parked next door, I explained that it was not possible as I had photos of the car at drop off and that I would come down and check it out as I was still in the terminal, oddly the lady seemed surprised I was still at DRW. Got down to the booth and apparently she had made a mistake, it was a car dropped off after mine, however it did leave a sour taste in my mouth, still not sure how she could be adamant that no car had parked next door!

That is highly suspicious in my opinion, I would be keeping my photos and making a statement of that one for your own peace of mind. Would you consider referring it to the NT Dept of Fair Trading?

 

[markis10]

That is highly suspicious in my opinion, I would be keeping my photos and making a statement of that one for your own peace of mind. Would you consider referring it to the NT Dept of Fair Trading?

If it came to pass that I was charged yes, I have only started taking photos recently on return as a result of this thread, thanks to the heads up by MunitalP!