Thrifty Car Rental

baldrick69

I hired a car from Thrifty car rentals in Australia. When I picked up the car I noticed that someone had pranged the rear bumper. I checked the vehicle condition report and it was noted that there was damage all along the rear bumper. I was satisfied that the damage had been recorded and used the car for 10 days without incident.I dropped the car off at an unattended designated parking spot at the airport as directed.

Thrifty have charged me an excess of A$1100 for damage to the car. I pointed out that the damage was already present but they claim there is 'more' damage to the rear bumper. The initial damage was described as a "scuff" when in reality there was damage consistent with a low speed impact with a bollard. They are now saying that the bumper contains a crack.

I'm sure this was caused at the same time by the previous driver and it's just that the description of the damager to the rear bumper on the vehicle condition report was slightly inaccurate, rather than Thrifty wanting to charge more than one person for the same damage.

I have informed Thrifty of this (several times (Australia and their international customer care, by email without reply). I have also informed Visa who are investigating for me. I have also informed the broker - Ecomony Car Rentals.

If Thrifty won't budge, Visa can't help, and Ecomony Car Rentals (who promise to refund the excess but state that a police report is necesssary) aren't interested, then is there any other appropriate course of action?

I would certainly not recommend Thrifty Car Rentals to anyone.