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“OK, it's in the small print”

written by on 28/07/2012

As like many others, I booked a car through Arguscarhire and as normal didn't concern myself with taking out the Insurance as I wasn't looking to use the car much over the 7 days there.
Getting picked up at the airport was bedlam as either your cases went and you didn’t, or you did and your cases didn’t. But to be fair it was the people getting into the minibus who caused the problem, not the guy driving it.
Got to the office and spent 40 mins waiting in a queue to be seen to. As it was now 23:15 I was getting slightly tired and didn’t pay too much notice to the 800 euros proposition, though I did hear the 93 euros full tank scheme.
I signed the forms and was then shown the car..
The next morning, and in daylight, I saw the car and noticed the big scratches and dents.. I immediately took pictures in case they tried to blame me..
After the 5th day I noticed £640 debited from my account and realised instead of placing a charge against the account (like they do in hotels for the mini-bar) they had actually debited the full 800 euros. This could have been a holiday ruining event, and possibly could be to others relying on just enough money in their account to see them through the holiday…but as I say, it’s in the small print.

My tips therefore are:
1) read the small print when you book from home for any rental company when not taking out their insurance
2) If you travel with others, leave them at the airport with the bags and pick them up after you have the car
3) take pictures of your rental car when you are at the car hire company as they do expect you to sign up to the outgoing condition before you get the car.
4) accept the fact that they will rip you off with the full tank/empty tank policy