Europcar missing parcel shelf

almo.q8

I hired a Europcar vehicle to travel to work. I paid £10 extra so that the car was dropped off to my address on a Sunday morning. I was out at the time the car was delivered so came home to the car outside and envelope containing keys posted through the door.

6 weeks since the hire I get a letter through the door saying the parcel shelf is missing and damage to a tyre with photos included. My two colleagues sat in the back seat and recall being able to reach into the boot to get ear phones out of their bag - there definitely was no parcel shelf.

I have hired cars with Europcar on over 10 occasions, I've been complacent and not taken photos of the cars when I receive or drop them off. I know that as I haven't flagged up the tyre damage they can hold me for it (even though I am adamant I did not collide with anything).

Is the burden of proof on me or them? What are my options? Any assistance would be deeply appreciated!

DUTR

Looks like with you, you didn't even mention the missing shelf at the time?

almo.q8

no since i just assumed the car came like that

silverwhistle

I would ask them for all the paperwork and when the vehicle was inspected and photos taken, who by, etc. and why it has taken them 6 weeks to notify you? Surely they would have inspected the vehicle on its return and let you know asap? Sounds dubious to me.

sinbad182

They should have done a check in or inspection when you dropped it off or it was collected.

Anyone could have damaged the tire or moved the parcel shelf after you and the car went your seperate ways.

DUTR

almo.q8 wrote: »

no since i just assumed the car came like that

It did come like that, but it's not supposed to, you should have highligted it at the time, but if you didn't realise that then you are less likely to notice any other damage, I think you are on a losing fight with the rental company.

photome

DUTR wrote: »

It did come like that, but it's not supposed to, you should have highligted it at the time, but if you didn't realise that then you are less likely to notice any other damage, I think you are on a losing fight with the rental company.

I disagree.

If the parcel shelf wasnt there it wasnt there. I would refuse to pay, they should have brought it to the OPs attention long before 6 weeks.

Hoof_Hearted

If they have your card details, I would cancel the card or they will take what they want anyway.

albionrovers

When the vehicle was dropped off at yours, was it mentioned as an existing flaw on the tear-off slip along with any existing dents or paint chips? If not, ask the hire company why not.

anotherbaldrick

In the past 6 weeks the car has probably been out on hire to about 6 others, what is the bet Eurocar are claiming the cost of the shelf off all the hirers because they obviously do not know at what point it went missing.

aliasojo

Oh and I have hired cars many times over the years. By far the worst was Europcar. We eventually always had to make a point of checking the car over ourselves at time of hire (to the point of taking pictures) and letting them see us do it, otherwise you could bet your bottom dollar they would raise something or other and try to say we were responsible for it.

I don't know if we just had a particularly 'dodgy' branch though.

OP I'd be fighting this all the way. If they are insisting you lost the parcel shelf, presumably they can prove it was there to begin with?