Enterprise Rent-A-Car Accused of damages after returning a rental car ballwin, Missouri
I had to rent a car from enterprise rent a car in july 2010. when i picked up the car we did a walk around and inspected the car. once i got in the vehicle and drove for about a mile i noticed a large crack in the windshield. i immediately called enterprise and informed them of this. i asked them if i should come back and exchange cars, but they told me no and that they would mark it down for me. when i dropped the car off at a location other than where i picked it up i did a walk around and saw everything was fine with the car, but the crack that i had reported. about 2 months later i recieve a call from the claims adjuster saying that i have caused 999.99 of damamge to the car for a cracked windshield and a scrape under the bumper. i know i did not damage this vehicle so i have refused to pay. i have been in contact with enterprise and with the claims adjuster and they are still trying to pin this on me. even though the photos of the damaged car were dated 8/5/10. what tops it off is that the photos of the damaged car are not at the drop off pointe and for some reason there is no record of who or when the car was checked in. my next step of action will be to contact the bbb, my lawyer and post how they have treated me on every social networking site. this will surely cost them more than trying to milk me for the 999.99. i will definately accept any ideas on how i should proceed. thank you
ricky
ballwin, mo
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Suggestions on how to protect yourself in the future
#4Consumer Suggestion
Sun, November 07, 2010
Unfortunately, you created this problem for yourself, and now it will be REAL difficult to undo.
The first thing I can't understand is how BOTH you and the rental agent did a walk around inspection of the vehicle and BOTH of you missed a crack in the windshield.
Now, here is where you brought the problem on yourself even more. You relied on a phone call to protect your rights, and put your trust in the idiot you talked to. BAD MISTAKE!
STAY OFF THE PHONE!!! Phone calls NEVER protect your rights as there is no proof they ever took place, nor can you prove what was said or agreed to.
You should have IMMEDIATELY just taken that car back to the rental location and got the damage documented, and you should have retained a copy of that new inspection.
I find a $999.99 windshield highly suspect.
Forget the BBB. They CANNOT do anything for you. They have no authority to do anything. They are just a corrupt and useless organization who has no place in today's internet society. The BBB is a "for profit" business, and NOT a "consumer protection" agency.
I can tell you though that taking this to court may cost you more than the initial claim.
As unjust as this is, you brought it on yourself, and now the best thing you can do is work out a settlement with them. Negotiate the cost of the REAL replacement value of that winshield, and go from there.
Call around to a few glass companies and find out what the installed price of that winshield would be. Get like 3 different quotes. You will need these anyway if this does go to court.
I do know that ENTERPRISE car rental is VERY hard to deal with.
GOOD LUCK!!
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
One option...
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, November 07, 2010
Click here to file a complaint with the FTC.
RJink
ballwin,Missouri,
United States of America
ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR BLAIMING ME FOR DAMAGES I DID NOT COMMIT
#4Author of original report
Sat, November 06, 2010
I just got a final letter from enterprise rent a car. They are threatening to take me to collections over the damages that i did not cause. Any advice on this situation would be greatly appreciated.