Alamo rental car at LOS ANGLES INTL AIRPORT - Charged pre-existing damage that I did not do. Dallas Texas
After working hard at a low wages for almost 10years and we were able to save enough money for our first 1 week Vacation in California. We bought the airline ticket and reserved the car rental at Alamo 6 months before our departure.
We are so excited and looking forward to our 1 week vacation along with our 2 children. We waited and waiedt...Finally, the day has came and we were in Los Angeles at around 12:00a.m , we then rushed into the Alamo car rental and try to get the car.
We then checked in at the car rental counter and the person there told us to go to the parking and pick out any car we want. So, we just picked the small size sedan nissan. The car looks still wet, it looks like it just has been washed. We then drove to the gate and checked out the car.
While driving to the gate, my wife told me that "Her friend at work, recomended to check for the car damages before check out the car'. So, I decided to do what my wife told me. We stopped at the gate and I got out the car and try to check for any car damage, it was dark and very hard to see.
Howver, I was still able to spot - two pre-existing scractches, one is small located on the rear bumper at the lower left (on the driver side) if looking at from back of the car, and another is very large and very easy to see, it located above the rear wheel (on the passenger side) if looking at from the back of the car. I pointed out to the car attendent and she looked at it and just said "You don't have to worry. Any scratches under 6 inches. You are ok".
So, we just drove away and never thought of that - After a week, we returned the car. When we returned the car, the car rental officer went around and checked the car (It looks like she looks at the scratch but she seems to ignored it liked she already know that it is ok) and after that - She just gave the receipt and she said "Everything is ok".
So, we went home. A few days later, we received a letter stated that we have to pay for that damages. So, I wrote the letter back and asked for what damages and I also mentioned to them there are two scratches that I saw and was told I don't have to worry about it.
I also asked them - Why didn't the car rental officer did not file a claim against me at the time I returned the car, and have me sign the paper before letting me go ?
A few days latter, I received a second letter from them stated that I am responsible for the damages along with the picture of the same exact scratch that I have reported to them when I checked out the car, and there is no answer to my questions.
FIRST, DON'T RENT ANY CAR FROM THIS ALAMO COMPANY. THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF. SECOND, I WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT I DID NOT DO.
This practice mus be STOP. Search this site for how many cases similar to this type of scam.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Alamo Rent A Car
St. Louis,Missouri,
Alamo Cares
#5UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 22, 2014
bryan, Customer service and satisfaction are very important to us at Alamo. I would like to follow up with you. Please email me at care@alamo.com with the complete details, exact renting location, and any rental agreement numbers. Please reference #140822-003199. I look forward to hearing from you soon, thank you. Chris, Social Media Monitor, Alamo Rent-A-Car
bryan
Blaine,Minnesota,
Update**
#5Author of original report
Mon, July 15, 2013
I just received an Email from a gentlman named: Frank and he was able to confirm that this damage was previously noted in the system prior to my rental. The claim has been closed and he is also sending me a confirming closure letter. So, now I am waiting on the confirming closure letter.
Make me felt that - This is a TRUSTED company. I would rent car from them again and again. However, they should fix this type of incident as it put a lot of stress on the customer.
Alamo Rent A Car
St. Louis,Missouri,
Alamo customer service
#5UPDATE Employee
Sun, July 14, 2013
Hello, we would like to look into this concern for you. Please email us at Care@Alamo.com with your contact information, full name and any additional details of your experience. We would be happy to help. When emailing, please list reference number 130714-000843 in the subject line.
Sincerely
Megan
Social Media Coordinator, Alamo Car Rental
bryan
Blaine,Minnesota,
Update**
#5Author of original report
Thu, July 11, 2013
I received their second letter with a picture to show the scratch that matched the exact scratch that I have reported to them before I checked out the car at the gate. However, they also showed an additional scratch located on the left side of the first scratch that I have report to them. I did not see it when I checked out the car.
No answer to my questions other than want to me to pay for the damages. Obviously, all they want is your money and they would not care about their customer. Does not seem they are doing any investigation to find out what the customer is saying true or not. All they want is frame you up and get your money.
I am still shocked that - They inspected the car before I returned it to them and they said it was ok - no file damage or report was filed with my signature at the time I return the car and now they charged me for the preexisting damage plus new additional damage.
Also, it looks like the picture of the car was taken from a different place (I can see a there is a mountained behind the car). I returned the car in the airport of the LAX. Who knows...The addional scratch can caused by the person that drive the car after they have the car in their possesion.
Do you see how much trouble I am going in through here. Just don't rent any car from Alamo, if you don't want to go what I have gone through here.