Fuel 'Theft' Policy

gmespana

benjus wrote: »

Presumably the contract was with Europcar Spain?

It's been a while since I hired a car in Spain, but last time I hired in Italy via a UK-based broker I had a contract with Hertz Italia.

No, the contract was with Europcar UK. I think the confusion is because people have referred to hiring in Spain, but I actually hired this car in the UK, from a UK company.

benjus

gmespana wrote: »

No, the contract was with Europcar UK. I think the confusion is because people have referred to hiring in Spain, but I actually hired this car in the UK, from a UK company.

Ah, sorry for the misunderstanding... given your username, and that most of the complaints on this forum about Full/Empty fuel policies relate to Spain, I made an assumption...

I didn't even know that companies were doing Full/Empty here. I can't really comment on whether you could have a valid case though.

cotleigh

The whole Full/Empty thing is basically a con. It does not in any way benefit the customer, it only gives the hire company the chance to effectively sell the same fuel over and over.

There is no excuse for it.

It's all very well saying "well don't book with them then" but the whole Full / Empty gambit is about offering a seductively low price, relying on most customers not realising they are about to be ripped off until it's too late.

Still, you could always stop off at the beach on your way to return the car and tip some sand in the lube oil. This won't get your money back, but you can walk away feeling smug.

gmespana

cotleigh wrote: »

The whole Full/Empty thing is basically a con. It does not in any way benefit the customer, it only gives the hire company the chance to effectively sell the same fuel over and over.

There is no excuse for it.

It's all very well saying "well don't book with them then" but the whole Full / Empty gambit is about offering a seductively low price, relying on most customers not realising they are about to be ripped off until it's too late.

Still, you could always stop off at the beach on your way to return the car and tip some sand in the lube oil. This won't get your money back, but you can walk away feeling smug.

Exactly what I have been arguing cotleigh, thanks. I'm not sure about sand in the lube (actually, sugar in the remaining fuel might be just as effective ), but your comment that it does not in any way benefit the customer, it only gives the hire company the chance to effectively sell the same fuel over and over, sums it up very succinctly.

NFH

Given that the car hire company is not the user of the fuel, this policy benefits them in no way except to facilitate a misleading indication of price of the car hire itself. The amount charged for the initial full tank of fuel is inflated significantly above cost (particularly where a previous customer leaves fuel in the tank) and this subsidises a misleadingly lower headline price of the car hire.

The travel industry seems particularly keen on using additional charges in order to legitimise misleading headline prices. Airlines have been targeted by the EU recently and it's high time that the whole of the travel industry was prevented from using these unfair commercial practices.

desperation_2

Working for Europcar I can assure you that they do not operate this policy in the uk. Some of Europcar overseas countries do, and they are generally where Europcar is operated as a franchise location.

In the uk Europcar operate a Full Tank out / Full tank in.

Customers have the 'choice' of purchasing a full tank up front, at a reduced rate. This price is determined each Thursday by taking the average price from Petrol prices.com and then subsequently discounting. The discounted price is generally beneficial if you plan to use 3/4 of a tank or more. If you return with more than 3/4 of a tank a £10 voucher is given off the cost of your next rental. If this option is taken the system calculates the cost based on the tank size of the vehicle in question.

If this option is not taken and the vehicle is returned not full a refuel rate is applicable which is different from the discounted rate.

The rate you have quoted does not seem to be either. As it is system generated the rates cannot be amended by the staff. Are you sure it is correct?

Nb . whilst trying to assist, please note I am not a spokesperson for the company!

gmespana

desperation wrote: »

Working for Europcar I can assure you that they do not operate this policy in the uk. Some of Europcar overseas countries do, and they are generally where Europcar is operated as a franchise location.

In the uk Europcar operate a Full Tank out / Full tank in.

Customers have the 'choice' of purchasing a full tank up front, at a reduced rate. This price is determined each Thursday by taking the average price from Petrol prices.com and then subsequently discounting. The discounted price is generally beneficial if you plan to use 3/4 of a tank or more. If you return with more than 3/4 of a tank a £10 voucher is given off the cost of your next rental. If this option is taken the system calculates the cost based on the tank size of the vehicle in question.

If this option is not taken and the vehicle is returned not full a refuel rate is applicable which is different from the discounted rate.

The rate you have quoted does not seem to be either. As it is system generated the rates cannot be amended by the staff. Are you sure it is correct?

Nb . whilst trying to assist, please note I am not a spokesperson for the company!

Thanks for that desperation, I will certainly bear that in mind next time I hire a car in the UK.

The company I used were called Interrent, who I understand are a wholly owned subsidiary of Europcar in the UK. When I arrived at the desk the guy proudly told me they are part of Europcar, and the contract was with Europcar.

Perhaps Europcar don't want to sully their reputation with this sharp practice, so do it under another name? Anyway, if you have any contact with Interrent, perhaps you could tell them they are upsetting their customers with this practice.

budgetflyer

It appears interent are the budget brand of Europacar.

They make it very clear the fuel policy

https://www.interrent.com/index.php/faq#when_returning_the_vehicle

desperation_2

Hi,

Ah, Interent is slightly a slightly different proposition. You are right that is is a wholly owned subsidiary of Europcar, however it does operate slightly differently.

If you look on the Interent website under FAQ there is further info on fuel policy:

Do I need to return the car with a full tank?
As fuel is not included in your rental rate, it depends on what fuel option you have subscribed to.
Express fuel: The fuel tank is included in the price. you shall not refuel the car. You can return the vehicle as it is. We’ll take care of everything and you can save time: You won’t have to look for a fuel station near the drop-off location or wait for fuel level to be checked when returning the vehicle. For more information click here. Please note that they will not be refund on the non-used fuel.

Full to full/ As rented: you have to return the vehicle with the same level of fuel as it was at the pick up. If not you‘ll be invoiced the cost of missing fuel plus a refueling service fee.

gmespana

budgetflyer wrote: »

It appears interent are the budget brand of Europacar.

They make it very clear the fuel policy

https://www.interrent.com/index.php/faq#when_returning_the_vehicle

I accept that they make their fuel policy clear, what I am arguing is that their policy is unfair. If they explained clearly in their fuel policy that you will be charged £1000 for each tank of fuel, or that the guy behind the desk will punch every customer in the mouth, it wouldn't be acceptable just because it was their policy! Please read “The Crafty Traveller: Hiring a holiday car? Don't let yourself be taken for a fuel" that I posted earlier in this thread. He explains the issue better than I can.