I need help

ben_wtrs

Hello first post sorry it is a long story but I hope someone can help me!!!!!
My wife and I were given notice on our house last month so we decided to save some money by moving into her parents house.
We hired a van from europcar in Coventry loaded it and drove up to Grimsby all fine.
We had to return the van on Sunday as agreed at Grimsby
I was told when I hired the van to give grimsby a call on Sunday to tell them I was returning it. No one answered. So 11 am I returned the van to the europcar depot and placed the keys in the deposit box.
Then fast forward to Tuesday
I checked my bank to make sure the deposit was returned to find europcar had taken another 350 pound.
So my wife called them and apparently the exhaust had been sawn off the van so they were keeping the deposit and an extra 350 pound.
They say we are liable for 6 hours after the vehicle is returned.
Needless to say I am fuming and don't know what to do. CAN SOMEONE HELP PLEASE
Thanks
Ben

jackyann

Can only suggest checking the paperwork & going to CAB (or similar) and asking their advice. I do think it would be worth asking to see the van, just in case there has been a "mistake".
Good luck

PS: I hire cars every so often, and find it a little odd that they did not ring you to say that the exhaust had been sawn off & therefore they were taking the money - that would be normal practice.

scheming_gypsy

not sure how it'll end for you, but because you didn't have the van checked over there's no proof that somebody didn't steal the cat while it was in your possession so it looks like you've remained liable for any damage up until they've had chance to check it.

forgotmyname

I would be asking for proof of when the exhaust was removed. If they dont have time and date stamped video
then i would be asking for my money back instantly.


Have you read the terms and conditions? Seems a bit strange you are liable for the car for 6 hours after returning it?

property.advert

The first thing which springs to mind is an enterprising employee who has a friend in the trade who knows where to offload such an expensive exhaust and it has been thieved to order solely because they can pin it on you and you have no way of proving the vehicle was ok when you handed it back.

If they can simply prove it was not there when they examined it, I think you are stuffed.

Strider590

Did you not notice any excessive noise levels? I mean it really would make a hell of a noise!

cajef

Strider590 wrote: »

Did you not notice any excessive noise levels?

They wouldn't if it was removed after they had dropped the van off.

mikey72

If it was returned, then the cat was stolen, how is it going to be the op's responsibility.
The van was returned in accordance with the hire companies procedures, to their level of security.
I would also question how much would have been charged if it was stolen when the vehicle was with the op, as the security deposit in normally enough to cover the excess on what should have been an insurance claim.

The_Turner

mikey72 wrote: »

If it was returned, then the cat was stolen, how is it going to be the op's responsibility.
The van was returned in accordance with the hire companies procedures, to their level of security.
I would also question how much would have been charged if it was stolen when the vehicle was with the op, as the security deposit in normally enough to cover the excess on what should have been an insurance claim.

How does the OP prove this was the case?

mikey72

Innocent until proven guilty applies.
How does the hire company prove he didn't.
Do they have witnesses that heard him drive back with no exhaust. Will the van even run with no exhaust?
Do they have cctv covering the drop off area?

The_Turner

mikey72 wrote: »

Innocent until proven guilty applies.

ben_wtrs wrote: »

Then fast forward to Tuesday
I checked my bank to make sure the deposit was returned to find europcar had taken another 350 pound.
So my wife called them and apparently the exhaust had been sawn off the van so they were keeping the deposit and an extra 350 pound.
They say we are liable for 6 hours after the vehicle is returned.

It appears not in this case.