Global Resorts Blog Network

{Renting | Hiring} a {car | vehicle} can be a practical and pleasant part of your {holiday | break away | trip | vacation} or business {travels | trip}. {Unfortunately | However} it can also become a very unpleasant , expensive experience. As with most activities involving human nature, there is usually some one wanting to take unfair advantage of unsuspecting innocent members of the public.

One method used by these few unscrupulous {car rental | car hire | rental car | hire car} operators is to charge consumers after they have left the premises, or even sometimes the country, for damage not caused by the {customer | client}. Sometimes the same damage has been charged for over and over again. Usually the claim for damage is far in excess of what would be charged by a legitimate panel beater. Some {rental | hire} companies even operate their own panel shops for this {extortion | purpose}.

Many {customers | clients} are either unwilling or unable to refute the {companies | agents} claims, preferring to just go on their way without the {upset and trauma | stress} of any confrontation. The result of which completely ruins the {customers | clients} {holiday | trip | vacation} and this is especially so as it is their last point of contact in that {town | city} or country. These {companies | agents} and some of their staff are very well practised in this extortion and the following steps should be taken to avoid this situation occurring.

When you collect the {rental car | car hire | hire car | car rental}, even though it’s the last thing on your mind, with the excitement of arriving, greetings and embarking on your holiday, now is when you must make absolutely sure there is no damage to the {hire car | car hire | rental car | car rental}. This simply requires you and preferably anybody with you to take a few minutes and walk around the {rental car | car rental | hire car | car hire} and check for any damage. If there is any and it is not noted then you must bring it to the staff’s attention and have it acknowledged in writing. There is usually a check out form for this purpose with any damage noted. If there isn’t then the staff has to explain how you are to be covered for non existent damage after you have returned the car rental.

If there is no assurance forthcoming it is probably best you look elsewhere for a {rental car | car rental | hire car | car hire}. Another method {hirers | customers} are resorting to is to take {pictures | photos}, most of us travel with a camera on holidays so simply take a few {pictures | photos} and store them in your camera for evidence later if need be. Don’t allow anyone to say simply “trust me” all will be ok.