ANOTHER economycarhire rip off!

Monkie

Beware! I've just had 200 Euros stolen from my credit card for alleged damage to the underside of a car I rented through economycarhire in Spain. The too good to be true insurance doesn't cover damage to the underside of the car (which is where they're saying the damage is) but how can they prove it? There's no way we damaged the car, my partner is a driving instructor and the most careful and honest driver on the planet. And she lived in Spain for 2 years so she's used to driving on the left. It's a BIG CON!
Any ideas on what I can do?

richardw

Speak with your credit card company.

StuieUK34

and state who the rental firm is, u just mentioned a broker. and state what the damage is, as u will have been told what it is am guessing.

SusanSpain

I know this suggestion may be hard to put into practice as you are back in the UK and the rental car firm is in Spain... But here goes...

Contact the rental co and put in writing your complaint and at the same time - ask for the LIBRO DE RECLAMACIONES...
This is a book that all registered businesses (even cafes and your tiny shops have to have one)... MUST HAVE BY LAW AND PRESENT AT YOUR REQUEST if you have a complaint.
Mostly the supplier will try to settle with you on the spot - as if they do not - They must give you a copy of your written complaint on this sheet (it is given to you as a pink copy - they keep the white copy I think?)... If they still do not wish to settle/be reasonable you can then lodge this complaint with the nearest OCI - CONSUMER OFFICE. It will usually be the nearest one that your holiday accommodation was at. (I.e I live in Fuengirola, so I must go to the Fuengirloa office).

It does not matter if you were a temporarly resident/holiday maker, you are still covered by the Consumer Law.

The Consumer office then look into the matter and will arbitrate if necessary.
They will also keep details of this company on records and it is basically a black mark against them and they will be investigated if it is occurring regularly. (I guess they are sort of like UK Trading Standards, but also like CAB in that they give free legal advice.)

All of this though has to be done in Spanish. (Hoping your wife can help here?)

You may decide that it is all too much trouble in the end.

But please do post about this co here and on the many Expat sites as it will help others to avoid them.

If you PM me I would be happy to guide you to the right forums.

Sorry your holiday (once home) was blighted in Spain.
Sadly we have as many scams here as anywhere in the world - and tourists are often seen as an easy target.

SusanSpain

http://www.economycarhire.com/contact.php

I am guessing from your post that this is the on-line booking co you used?

If so, it seems it is UK registered and even if they work in tandem with 3rd Party suppliers, I am sure under UK law they are required to help you in recliaming your money.

As regards 'extra cover for extras', this is very common on car hire in Spain. The rental company though should have offered you 'extra cover for underside and wheels (and possibly windshields/glass)' as this is usually not included in accident/RTA theft cover etc.

Good luck.