Europcar via Auto Europe - Overcharged by 480 GBP - a warning!

jnm21

It certainly would, but I doubt there are many companies who would do that these days. Perhaps a reasonable (say 30% plus) discount would be a more realistic option?

Sailor1983

You are correct I did speak with your rep on the phone and she emailed me a list of the debits and refunds that you have on record. THe only problem is where your records say I have been refunded and the balance is ZERO, my records say I have had ABSOLUTELY no refunds but infact have been charged yet again by Europcar by another random amount!

I have emailed you directly with statements from my credit card to prove this.

To those who are reading these posts it would seem that the billing errors are in fact the fault of Europcar, however I have had to resolve this issue via Auto Europe as Europcar refuse to speak to me about the issue. (Although they are perfectly willing to charge me without my knowledge!) It all beggars belief.

Finally, I would like to say that this has been without a doubt the most stressful consumer experience of my life. I am a busy person on deployment in the Navy in the Middle East. The most incredible thing was trying to speak with my bank - HSBC. I called the UK only to be re routed to India. The delay on the line meant it was virtually impossible to be understood. I calculate my phone calls trying to resolve this issue amount to well over 100 GBP. It's an absolute JOKE.

Sailor1983

Still NO REFUND as of checking today. Interest is now due meaning total due is 486.10 GBP. I'm beginning to think I will never get my money back.

withabix

AutoEurope appear to be a bit of a shambles.

I would strongly advise going for the jugular and getting the charges reversed by your card company and let AutoEurope fight with the rental company.

This is a very good example of why you shouldn't hire cars through brokers such as AutoEurope, unless the broker is responsible for the contract with the hire company, which in this case they clearly aren't.


PS I have reported AutoEurope for their posts, which do not appear to have been authorised by Moneysavingexpert.com in accordance with the rules of the website in relation to posting on behalf of a company.

Sailor1983

I already have raised the issue with HSBC bank way back in July. They said it would take 4 weeks and its been nearly 6 and still no reply. HSBC's customer service is a sham too.

Sailor1983

Still no refund...

Sailor1983

It's been over 3 months now since I was charged nearly 500 pounds UNLAWFULLY and WITHOUT ANY AUTHORISATION from me. I have now given up as it is too difficult to take legal action from where I am in the middle east. The bank will not reverse the charges. Europcar have STOLEN my money and I can't do anything about it. I guess thats it then....

StuieUK34

Yup, in a nutshell....
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but thats how it works, you get ripped off, and unless your in a position to spend money on solicitors and then try and fight the case in court, your done for!
Went through a similar thing with AVIS (direct), got a refund eventually, but no compensation for there incompetense)

Now, i use my VISA Debit card, and whenever someone takes an imprint/swipe, etc etc, i report the card lost after i finish the rental, as its common practise for hire car firms to bill your card and make up false claims that theres a problem with the car, etc etc...
I took a car back with a full tank of fuel (spain), and had the receipt from the station 2 miles away.....
Had reported my card lost at the airport , 2 weeks later a bill arrived for 'fuel' to the tune of somthing like 38 euros (again, AVIS!), i sent back a letter saying F**K off in big printed letters, along with a copy of the fuel receipt, and my flight time to show i could'nt have gone joyriding (the keys were dropped in the drop box as was late for checkin)..

Too many rules out there that screw the consumer, not protect them!

Sailor1983

It has been three and a half months since Europcar stole money from my credit card without any authorisation whatsoever. Finally today a refund for the money that was taken has been received in my account. It is important to note that the interest that built up on the debt whilst the money was in Europcar's bank account had NOT been paid. Perhaps we should all go around steeling the odd 500 pounds from each other whenever we need a short term loan. Certainly saves on the paper work at the bank and it seems to be totally okay as far as the law is concerned in the UK.

Let be be blunt:

Europcar are at best THE MOST INCOMPETENT BLUNDERING FOOLS in the entire industry. They care nothing for the welfare of their customers and their administrative practices are an absolute shambles.

At worst, they are bare faced thieves who think it is quite acceptable to steel money off their customers. They are a disgusting company should be ashamed of the grotesque and utterly outrageous acts of greed and immorality that seem to go on routinely.

The 1 out of 5 star ratings on numerous web forums say it all. There was even an article in the Sunday Times last week with a similar story to mine (although far less money was involved) where the guy involved called the police in.

STAY WELL CLEAR OF EUROPCAR AT ALL COSTS. (OR IT WILL COST YOU!)

Sailor1983

And on one further note, if you are booking a car hire through Auto Europe, make SURE that they do not sub - contract it to Europcar! Auto Europe would be well advised to discontinue selling Europcar services.