Car rental rip off

djtomsmith

Just back from a 3 day break in the west of Ireland. Pre paiid my car rental online using car trawler which selects the cheapest rental in Ireland, thought I'd read all the small print, only to be charged upon arrival for a full tank £40 (small Kia picanto), this was a non refundable deal where you pick up full & bring back empty. However, I only covered 50 miles (less than £5). Didn't think this was very fair, so upon my return I read the full terms on thier website: 353 car rental which revealed even smaller print, "rentals of 3 days or less are entitled to a full refund", I mailed them to point this out, received no apology, but happy to say a full refund, which cost them 15p due to fluctuation in the exchange rate, not to mention the fuel I had used.
Next time, I shall print off the small print & ask the receptionist to read & sign to say they understand the terms & cond.
Tom :beer:

Mark_Hewitt

Nice one. These pre-pay the fuel and bring it back empty deals are always terrible! As unless you bring it back with it literally starting to stutter due to lack of petrol, then you end up paying for fuel you haven't used!

Unusual they would force you to take that option however, on rentals I've taken they usually give you the choice to bring it back empty or full. And you don't usually have to have it brimmed either, as long as the gauge is at the top when the attendant looks at it. I've refuelled 30 miles away and then drove to the airport with no complaint from the hire company.