Help please with hire vehicle, payment for damage caused

GingerRuby

Hello

I hired a minibus from a small company, skim read the t&c's (I know! lesson learned!) and caused some damage when I went round a corner too tightly causing damage to the paintwork.

The damage was noted when vehicle returned, owner confirmed would get quote and let me know. I received an email asking for £1000 with no quote / invoice etc. I said I would not pay that amount of money without documentation, then quote was sent for £1300. Payment was made following day, although work not done, this was just the quote.

A previous hirer had caused damage in the same place (plus wing mirror) where I had caused 3 small scratches, they had paid £400, however the bill for this work was £515, so the owner is now saying I am liable for that extra £115 bill, is that legal?

A few people I have discussed with have said should have had 3 quotes done, but cannot seem to find any guidnace on this.

T&C's state liable for loss of hire if delay in payment, I maintain that as I offerred to pay garage directly (have this offer in writing) to avoid any delays, I should not be liable for a further £100 I am being charged due to delay in payment. Payment for £1300 was made day after receiving quote (not invoice as work was not yet completed at that time)

I have still not received any receipts for payments made (done by bank transfer) or final invoices from work performed.

Am I liable for these costs? What are my rights here?

Many thanks for any advice you can give me

Optimist

You have already paid this hire company £1300 on the basis of a quotation for damage you have admitted to causing. Now they are asking for a further £115 for damage caused by a previous customer !

A quotation is exactly how much it should cost you and that is what you paid. You don't owe any more

Its situations like this where I rather like the response given by Private Eye in Arkle V Pressdram unfortunately the swear monitor wont allow it on here, so I would refer the hire company to the above case (look it up first you might be be so rude) or just tell them to sue as your not giving a penny more !

GingerRuby

Thank you Optimist!!

That is what I was hoping, but wasn't sure because I had caused 3 small scratches in same area if they were able to charge me for this extra (although very dubious that this extra work was the exact difference between the amount previous hirer paid and quote given).

Have received a letter stating will start court proceedings if not paid by 30Apr10 so having slight panic

Many thanks again for your advice

Oopsadaisy

They are scamming you. thye have your £1300 and won't bother getting the work done. Nice little earner.

sarahg1969

They probably got the previous customer to pay for the damage he did too, and will never bother to get any of the work done. Easy money.

GingerRuby

Thank you everyone, will see if follow through with threat to start court proceedings!

Many thanks again