Hertz Car Hire Sydney, 2 days, 72 KMs, $646 charge

[klavdy]

Hertz Sydney Airport?
Never again.
Rented a car on Friday afternoon,first car offered was so badly dented and scratched we asked for a different one,it too was damaged, pointed out the existing damage, was told not to worry and on returning the car they've tried it on.
They are trying it on to the tune of $646 for pre existing damage (what looks like minor stone chips) to a Toyota Camry.
They originally tried to charge $3636.
This is an egregious and outrageous claim that is refuted in its entirety.

 

[markis10]

Photos on pick up, photos on drop off, use a debit card with $200 in it, problem solved.

 

[Chief Wiggum]

Frustrating experience.

I think if it were me I would have fully documented any existing damage to the vehicle before accepting it for hire.
Did you have the hire agremeent thing with the diagram of the car and did you fully document and list the existing damage before you signed that document or leaving the Hertz lot ?

Photos and written acknowledgement from Hertz would have been my minimum.

Or just say "Thanks, but no thanks..." and make my way to one of the adjacent car hire companies on offer.

 

[JohnK]

What I never understood is the damage listed on the car that appears never to get fixed but supposedly someone has been charged excess to fix that damage.

I hired a couple of cars the weekend before from Hertz Brisbane Downtown the week before and I was surprised at the amount of damage that was not listed on one of the cars. I one had what appeared to be grease that smudged quite easily all over it as well.

Photos on pick up, photos on drop off, use a debit card with $200 in it, problem solved.

Is that what you would do? Use the same one or purchase a different debit card each time?

 

[Clivem]

Or just take full insurance with nil applicable excess ....... and just drive it like your on the second to last day of the Dakar rally.

 

[markis10]

What I never understood is the damage listed on the car that appears never to get fixed but supposedly someone has been charged excess to fix that damage.

I hired a couple of cars the weekend before from Hertz Brisbane Downtown the week before and I was surprised at the amount of damage that was not listed on one of the cars. I one had what appeared to be grease that smudged quite easily all over it as well.


Is that what you would do? Use the same one or purchase a different debit card each time?

I have used the same debit card for some time, it's insurance against a cash drain, the photos are the key.

 

[markis10]

Or just take full insurance with nil applicable excess ....... and just drive it like your on the second to last day of the Dakar rally.

Expensive strategy, you normally get the same outcome with a yearly insurance policy after three to four days of hire. Of course with insurance your out of pocket until they pay, I am of the prevention is better than cure brigade, especially with preexisting.

 

[JohnK]

I have used the same debit card for some time, it's insurance against a cash drain, the photos are the key.

I guess it makes sense in a way.

 

[drron]

Yes I always take photos even if no damage-to prove anything else came later-but also take pictures on return as well.
Returning to Avis at Aberdeen the young lass was pointing out all the scratches.It wasn't until I got my camera out and asked her if she wanted to see them when I picked up the car that she decided to give up.

 

[kevrosmith]

I regularly pick up from BNE and drop off at OOL (Hertz and Avis), and get quite picky on small scratches and marks. BNE just comment "oh, that's classed as wear and tear", but have had enough discussions with the drop off location and their different interpretation of "wear and tear" to make sure they mark it up.

Additionally, times I've picked up in SYD have definitely been my worst experiences with hire cars (Hertz and Avis).

 

[docjames]

+1 for the "photos all around at pick up / drop off" camp.

The last thing I really want to do when arriving late / early departure drop off / family in tow, but there's no other way to protect yourself.

Have also had many "that's wear and tear" and I just politely ask for it documented (and I have a photo anyway).

Pay particular attention to low front spoiler on cars, especially XR6 Falcons.

 

[kpc]

I make them mark all scratces and take photos as well when I pick the car up....how do you prove you took the photos at the time of pick up, and not later, eg after you caused the damage?

 

[AdMEL]

Quite annoying! Haven't rented from Hertz SYD, but have rented from Hertz and Avis all over the country often (and occasionally Europcar, Budget and Thrifty) and not yet had an issue, thankfully!

Photos on pick up, photos on drop off, use a debit card with $200 in it, problem solved.

I didn't think debit cards were accepted!

Frustrating experience.

I think if it were me I would have fully documented any existing damage to the vehicle before accepting it for hire.
Did you have the hire agremeent thing with the diagram of the car and did you fully document and list the existing damage before you signed that document or leaving the Hertz lot ?

Photos and written acknowledgement from Hertz would have been my minimum.

Or just say "Thanks, but no thanks..." and make my way to one of the adjacent car hire companies on offer.

I have almost never taken photos or asked for damage to be written down (only time for damage was Europcar with an Audi A5 convertible, with a 100mm deep scratch in the bonnet, which the agent claimed was fair wear and tear, contrary to their documentation!). Hertz and Avis I've never worried about.

Or just take full insurance with nil applicable excess ....... and just drive it like your on the second to last day of the Dakar rally.

I have used the same debit card for some time, it's insurance against a cash drain, the photos are the key.

Expensive strategy, you normally get the same outcome with a yearly insurance policy after three to four days of hire. Of course with insurance your out of pocket until they pay, I am of the prevention is better than cure brigade, especially with preexisting.

Yes, very expensive! Can often double (or even more than double) the cost of the rental! I'm with you on prevention at a low cost, but prefer to rely on my credit card which covers up to $5,500 excess!

Yes I always take photos even if no damage-to prove anything else came later-but also take pictures on return as well.
Returning to Avis at Aberdeen the young lass was pointing out all the scratches.It wasn't until I got my camera out and asked her if she wanted to see them when I picked up the car that she decided to give up.

I've never understood how you get photos that are comprehensive enough and detailed enough to show either no damage, or damage that is there, in any clarity.

+1 for the "photos all around at pick up / drop off" camp.

The last thing I really want to do when arriving late / early departure drop off / family in tow, but there's no other way to protect yourself.

Have also had many "that's wear and tear" and I just politely ask for it documented (and I have a photo anyway).

Pay particular attention to low front spoiler on cars, especially XR6 Falcons.

And Commodore SV6's even more so!

 

[coles525]

Photo's can be date stanped, as well as gps stamped. (Mobile phone camera)

 

[kevrosmith]

Photo's can be date stanped, as well as gps stamped. (Mobile phone camera)

I've had agents tell me that photos wouldn't be given any credence - the only thing they will refer to is the signed damage report. Fortunately, I've never really had to test this.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes I always take photos even if no damage-to prove anything else came later-but also take pictures on return as well.
Returning to Avis at Aberdeen the young lass was pointing out all the scratches.It wasn't until I got my camera out and asked her if she wanted to see them when I picked up the car that she decided to give up.

Yes I always video the car and odometer zeroing in on any particular 'damage'

 

[markis10]

I didn't think debit cards were accepted!

Have been accepted for the last 6 years at all the local companies, never had an issue.

 

[qwerty123456]

I've been using Redspot over the last year in AU - Business rate includes tolls, unlimited km's, the car comes with zero excess and they fill up the fuel at a reasonable cost. I've literally dropped the keys and run to the gate once or twice. By the time I've landed back home a finalised emailed invoice is waiting for me.

As far as damage goes, anything minor like a paint scratch less than about 5cm (is is that 3cm) is considered fair use. I had one occasion when I drove back SYD airport, left the car and headed home. Had a call the next day asking if I know the car was damaged. Apparently there was a ding on the passenger side that I never saw - never walked that side since leaving the hotel that morning. Filled out the provided stat dec. and that was the end of it - issue closed.

The down side is I don't get FF points

 

[markis10]

I've had agents tell me that photos wouldn't be given any credence - the only thing they will refer to is the signed damage report. Fortunately, I've never really had to test this.

I have had photos save me twice, especially when I point out they are geo tagged, time stamped by a satellite and watermarked as proof of no manipulation. The damage report is often lacking in detail and I do get it corrected, at the same time I have had numerous occasions where damage has been missed by me and the company.

 

[drron]

I use my Sony HX50 so get good closeups of scratches.Any scratch that doesn't show up really should not be the reason for a repair bill.
As described above drop off agent gave up when I produced my camera.
Even my old camera that is over 10 years old date stamps the photos.