Vehicle damage scam at Hertz

JohnStockelUSN

New Member
We rented a Kia Picanto for the holidays. They offered us a new vehicle and I declined because I have 20 years of experience vacationing in St Barth and absolutely every vehicle on this road has multiple scratches and dings. Unavoidable. They told me they had no other vehicles available. I always purchase the additional insurance and this time was no different. We also photograph the vehicles before and after and I was absolutely sure I returned the vehicle in pristine condition. Hertz claims that after they washed it they managed to find a small scuff on the back left bumper and a minuscule scuff on the right rear bumper. I’m sure they waited to notify me until my flight departure time passed but we were delayed. While waiting in the security area, I received a text message notification of a $687.41 damage charge. I left the terminal and went to the Hertz kiosk. I truly believe that the agent who perpetrated the fraud expected me to have already departed. When confronted with the situation she claimed to understand but refused to reverse the charges exclaiming that the manager could only do that. I even brought her into the rental lot and showed her that absolutely every car in the lot had damage.

My recommendation is to avoid Hertz. There are plenty of alternatives. Always refuse a new vehicle. Just observe how the vehicle are parked downtown Gustavia. The damage insurance is also a scam. Nothing is actually covered unless the vehicle is totaled. Additionally, if you purchase the insurance your credit card company is not likely going to cover the damage.



Just a follow up, since I, and several others, exposed this scam on Google reviews, Hertz has been soliciting 5 star reviews in an attempt to “bury” the truth. Speaks volumes.
 

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Sorry to hear. Hertz had the audacity to tell me that the charges reflected an anticipated “time out of service” to paint the bumpers. Seriously?!?! Someone also pointed out that that they didn’t include the license plates for the vehicle in the photos so might not have even been my rental.
 
All Hertz outlets are the worst! I had a similar issue with one in the states. Two years of battling them, and I think I finally wore them out. Claimed we did thousands(!) of dollars of damage to a car that we are 100% sure was fine when we dropped it off. Sent me dubious "proof" of pictures (6 months later) of a car with no time-stamps, no license plate, and no proof that we had anything to do with it. Stay away.
 
Hertz offered me President’s Circle an I turned it down for all the above reasons. Please look up their history if you are thinking of renting from them.
 
All Hertz outlets are the worst! I had a similar issue with one in the states. Two years of battling them, and I think I finally wore them out. Claimed we did thousands(!) of dollars of damage to a car that we are 100% sure was fine when we dropped it off. Sent me dubious "proof" of pictures (6 months later) of a car with no time-stamps, no license plate, and no proof that we had anything to do with it. Stay away.
I agree. Persistence works. We always video the vehicles before and after and it’s helped us several occasions. My wife often complains that I ha more vacation photos of rental cars than I do of her.
 
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