Car hire petrol rip-off

equado

How many of us have been caught out by the 'return the car empty' scam run by most of the car hire firms?

"We'll fill the tank for you sir (at a cost) and you just have to return it empty. You'll not need to fill it up before you return."

How nice of them. :mad:

But how do you know when it's empty? (Especially in those cars whose petrol gauge are those silly little bars instead of the usual dial).

How many have run out of petrol trying to get their money's worth before returning the car? How many have returned a car with a quarter tank full giving the hire companies an extra sub? (There's no refund for unused fuel, sir.)

OK it's a bit of a hassle finding a petrol station before you return the car, but at least you know you are only paying for the petrol you've used - and you're not giving the car hire company a nice little bonus (they charge enough as it is!)

Time for another wee campaign, Martin?

flashg67

The hire comapnies we use (mainly the big ones) supply the car full and it needs to be returned full or they charge you something like £1.75 p/l to refill it. At least that way you can prove you filled it just before it was returned with a timed receipt, but you do need to find a petrol station close by and we still get invoice disputes doing it this way.

I don't think there's a fool-proof way. Not taking sides here, but if we think the hire companies are trying it on, do you really think the people hiring the cars wouldn't try to get away with it aswell?

neilbond007

How many of us have been caught out by the 'return the car empty' scam run by most of the car hire firms?
Not many. It's not a scam. They tell you how much it will cost, and give you the option, before you sign.

We'll fill the tank for you sir (at a cost)
How dare they. Making a profit...

But how do you know when it's empty?
The car stops

How many have run out of petrol trying to get their money's worth before returning the car?
Never, although I was close in Vegas once.

How many have returned a car with a quarter tank full giving the hire companies an extra sub?
Many times. I cut myself each time I do it.

Time for another wee campaign, Martin?
I wouldn't hold your breath

mcc100

Just do what we have chosen to do ....... book with a company that has a full - full policy.

There are plenty about and if everybody opted for these companies then the full - empty companies would soon have a change of policy ........

Viper_7

mcc100 wrote: »

Just do what we have chosen to do ....... book with a company that has a full - full policy.

There are plenty about and if everybody opted for these companies then the full - empty companies would soon have a change of policy ........

Indeed! It's not a question of being caught out, it is quite simple. They are not hiding anything it's all in the clear and above board.

If you don't like, vote with your feet.

ferf1223

we used to go full/full...but anymore, I actually find it's worth a bit of money to me to not have the faff of filling the car on the way to the airport...but we normally use more than a tank of fuel - so we don't end up paying for loads of unused petrol. The last couple of trips to the US we've rented via CH3000 and the voucher says we have to pre-pay a tank of fuel...I've actually been given the option when picking up the car a couple of times - pre-pay or return full...I've started to just pre-pay and know that's the last I have to worry about it. Not necessarily very moneysaving...but sometimes something like this has value to someone (like me)

It's not a rip-off...some may find it annoying, but a) there are options and b) the terms are clear before booking (if you read them).

McKneff

Top marks to Enterprise from me. The car was half full when I picked it up and it was explained to me (and in writing) that I would be charged for the amount of petrol I used, the price per litre that they charged was 2p less than the local petrol station.
As it turned out, I only did about 30 miles and they didnt charge me at all.

equado

Interesting replies. I have no problem about firms making a profit - that's what capitalism is all about. But there's often NO choice when trying to find a full-full operator - more and more are turning to this scam. I did once hire a car from a full-full operator but discovered on picking up the car that, since I did not hire it directly from them, the rules had changed - and there were no other hire desks open. Thanks for your humorous response 007 - but I'm sure you'd have been less cheery if your 'nearly' experience in Vegas turned out to be a dry tank in the desert!