Car Hire Scam at Faro Airport

[Krypton27]

Just returned fro 2 weeks in Algarve. We rented a car from a website Argus which also goes by car trawlwer as they have a full tank return policy.
They subcontract to the local Algarve car hire company. The car we got was a VW Polo which was an upgrade but with a higher excess. When we saw the car it had various scrapes and marks. The rep was really friendly and pointed out the worst saying 'dont worry we know the car'. So I signed.
When we returned the car to the lot at the airport, another rep was there. Immediately he pointed at a mark on the side of the car and said that wasnt there before. He did not even bother to check the rest of the car but said 'thats it your liable for the 750 euro excess' . In the background I was aware of another guy in a car watching us - obviously the minder.
Well we argued as we had not scraped the car but he wrote 'deep scratches' on the form and aggressively made it clear that it didnt matter whether I agreed or not - they were taking the money.The paint was not broken or the bodywork dented. My credit card was debited that day for the full amount.
So beware- make sure every mark however small is itemised on the check form before you sign.
With this crowd if you take the super CDW at extra cost you are still whacked unless you have reported the 'accident' to the police! Who is going to report a stone chip e.g.
Now I will not hire a car if there is a single mark on it.

[Whickerman]

that's incredibly crappy, you must be so mad.

BUT - it's exactly what i'd expect from every company. Never ever sign out a car without writing up the marks yourself.

Another scam is 'it's half full, just bring it back the same way' and when you do you get caught for refuelling charges.

[Andyvon]

Hi Krypton,

I often use Holiday Autos who subcontract to local firms and I've come across this several times. I collected a hire car at Faro in November and it may have been the same people. The girl was called Carla and there was a young chap with her and they operated from the car park outside the terminal. The Megane estate we were given had plenty of scratches which I pointed out but they said don't worry. Carla took a swipe of my card and when I returned the car there were no problems and they gave me back the blank card form.

I think the difference is that I always pay the Total Damage Waiver when booking. It's about an extra �3 per day on top of the rental price and it's different to the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) which costs less. The TDW enables the hirer to take out a separate insurance policy which covers the vehicle and you against any damage at all to the car whether it's your fault or not. The only time they would then debit your card would be if you disappeared with the car or if you didn't return it at the time and place arranged.

Many people try to save money on car hire by only paying the CDW, and some don't even pay that. It sounds as if that's what you did and it's taking a real chance as the hirer can charge you for anything they like. The only way to avoid that is by paying the TDW which I advise you to do next time. It's well worth the few extra pounds as you then have no worries or concerns when you drive away. The TDW will cover any damage, real or imagined.

[Andyvon]

Me again Krypton,

Thinking about this, you must have agreed to pay the 750 euro excess when you collected the car. You would have been given the opportunity to reduce the excess to zero at the time you booked and again when you collected the car. You must therefore have agreed to pay the excess so that you could just pay the basic rental price. Rental firms don't like that as you are leaving them to sort any damage as soon as you've returned the car and then jumped on a plane to come home. When you pay the extra they can cover themselves for any damage that might occur during your rental period.

If you pay the TDW next time, you can drive away in the comfort and knowledge that you won't have to pay any excess when you return the car, whether any damage is your fault or not.

[campbellking]

What we have done on the last couple of occasions is also take pictures of the car on the digital camera at time of pick up. These can then be deleted afterwards.

[jno]

yes, always take photos; your camera will record the time and date. Meanwhile, was any of this done via a UK company? If so I'd be thinking of suing them.

[Krypton27]

Thanks. Andyvon- on this rental agreement it states that even if you take the extra insurance you are not covered for any claims unless you have reported the matter to the police. Who is going to report a stone chip for example.

[Andyvon]

Hi again Krypton,

I think I'll be looking very closely the next time I hire a car then. I'll remember not to bother with Argus.

[Krypton27]

The problem is not related to any specific car hire company as I have discovered looking at websites and blogs. To be fair to Argus they subcontract the rental to a local company and have nothing to do with the actual car you get so its not their fault. All Im saying is that Ive learned that we should really check over the car condition and ensure everything is on the waiver before you sign. I have read customer complaints of a similar nature naming big name car rental companies too.