Charged for filling diesel van with petrol

Mistral001

Maestro. wrote: »

This thread I think is a prime example of why people should have to pass a "basic mechanical knowledge test" before a driving license is issued. To not be able to tell whether a van is petrol or diesel is just bizarre to me.

That is not a bad idea.

A friend of mine years ago bought a sports car and brought it round to show it off to me. I was impressed by it and muttered something about the rear-engine design. He looked puzzled and after lifting the bonnet and boot in turn said "oh I did not relaise that".

slyracoon

EdGasket wrote: »

Yes but my point is that the rental company should not have carte blanche to charge whatever they feel like to a customer's card without the customer agreeing the amount. Let me put it more explicitly, what is to stop them charging £thousands for a small scratch if they don't have to consult/get the agreement of the cardholder?

If you don't like their terms don't sign the agreement and don't hire their vehiciles, or take out some additional insurance to cover yourself further.

EdGasket

It wasn't me that was hiring a van; it was the OP!

Tiddlywinks

EdGasket wrote: »

Yes but my point is that the rental company should not have carte blanche to charge whatever they feel like to a customer's card without the customer agreeing the amount. Let me put it more explicitly, what is to stop them charging £thousands for a small scratch if they don't have to consult/get the agreement of the cardholder?

Regardless of how you feel about it, that is the condition of vehicle rental agreements.

As another poster has said, if a customer doesn't like it then they have to go without renting the vehicle.

This is the company's way of covering themselves to make it easier to claw back any charges for damage etc... and, yes, that could be thousands of pounds in the extreme. They will have to minimise the costs and appear fair and transparent but if damage / loss is caused then they hold a contract which allows them to charge for it without further consultation.

You can keep repeating that it isn't fair and the answer will always be... it's in the contract - like it or don't sign it.

jb66

ive never seen a petrol van

Sgt_Pepper_2

jb66 wrote: »

ive never seen a petrol van

Not since the V8 Sherpa and u'd V6 Transit.

steve-L

jb66 wrote: »

ive never seen a petrol van

Plenty of them in Texas!

However, that's not a good reason to travel to Houston!

But seriously.... you must be younger than me..... my Grand-dad (a builder) had a Bedford back in the early 70's.....

Back on topic.......

The OP didn't think.....then took a 50/50 on the fuel.
That they don't know that pretty much all vans are diesel is excusable.
That they don't know how expensive this is, well..... OK

But that is exactly why hire companies have the clause in the contract.

If the OP has a pre-90's license (forget the date) they will have a C1 license.....
This means they can drive a 7.5 tonner with air brakes and possibly high-low ratio gears.....

It scares the hell out of me that they would do this!