Car Rental Scam Easirent Heathrow

smiffy121_2

Hi all I could really do with some assistance with an ongoing claim against Easirent Heathrow (Car Rental). Just to keep it brief.

Hire with them for 4 days through Holiday Autos. Picked up the car with v poor body work. Tried to get another..none available. After a 24hr flight from Oz. Noted all the damage 15 points in all.

Re-fueled the vehicle and noticed a larger scrap on the door sill. Phoned up the office. No problem its on the system now, no need to bring it back.

On return, billed for scrap and another i missed, more or less under the vehicle. I missed it and know I didnt do it =1200 pounds.

Raised a dispute with Tesco Mastercard and initiated a chargeback. This was successful, however I went overseas traveling and have just seen the said amount now charged Back to my card.

Tesco's explanation was- They sent me a letter explaining the merchant had changed his mind at the last minute and was disputing the claim. Because I didnt acknowledge tesco's letter within 60 Days (overseas), time has ran out and I have to pay 1200 pounds.

Does anyone have any advise on how to deal with this please?

many thanks

Sean

CKhalvashi

You may be outside the limit on this one, however if Tesco knew you were abroad, or reasonably ought to have known (you used the card abroad), then you may be worth complaining and escalating to the FOS if Tesco don't agree.

Legally though, I don't think you have a leg to stand on, although I'm sure someone will correct if I'm wrong.

CK

arcon5

If this Tesco MasterCard was a credit card then time to look in to making a section 75 claim. No time limit then.

visidigi

arcon5 wrote: »

If this Tesco MasterCard was a credit card then time to look in to making a section 75 claim. No time limit then.

don't think that's what they have an issue with, they have refused on the grounds he didn't reply to the letter within 60 days...

smiffy121_2

Is a section 75 claim applicable to this?

Also one other point. They forged my signature on the return document saying I was happy to pay the £1200 which I did not. My carbon copy has no signature whilst theirs has.

I explained that to Tesco. Their response was you can"t prove it, so its not fraud and basically you have to pay the £1200

Can this be right?

Valli

Go back to Tesco - suggest that the onus is on the rental company to prove you did sign (I assume you still have the CC?) so you HAVE been defrauded by the rental company and if Tesco don't sort it you will escalate to the FSO.

(Financial services ombudsman)

Collate and retain all records in the meantime.

WRITE to Tesco BTW; or email and save a copy.

vikingaero

Given all the threads on MSE and in the news, Rental companies are finding their costs are spiralling with reduced fleet/leasing discounts so they are looking to charge for anything and everything - on several hirers if they can get away with it.

It's at the stage where you are financially better off taking all the bells ans whistles insurance to reduce the excess to zero and totalling your hire car into other cars in their compound! (that was a joke for those with a SOH bypass).

smiffy121_2

Thanks for the advice Valli. I will speak with the FSO regarding this.

As for Tesco, I'm very disappointed with their response and lack of customer service. I would of thought better of a company such as theirs.

dalesrider

smiffy121 wrote: »

As for Tesco, I'm very disappointed with their response and lack of customer service. I would of thought better of a company such as theirs.

TBH. I'm surprised that Tesco did a chargeback. Not usually a option on car hire.
So they must have thought you had a good case.

But the biggest issue is YOU DID NOT respond in the 60 days. Due to this Tesco lost the right to respond to the hire companies rejection.

There are timescales in the chargeback process. After these have expired. There is no way to go back again.
If there were not these, then they would drag on forever.

While you are free to go to FOS. I would think they will back Tesco on this one.

Money-Saving-King

smiffy121 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice Valli. I will speak with the FSO regarding this.

As for Tesco, I'm very disappointed with their response and lack of customer service. I would of thought better of a company such as theirs.

But that's not Tesco's fault that you didn't do something in the time required. If they have a 60 day limit and you do nothing how can you be disappointed in them? It's you who got it wrong!

smiffy121_2

It is all my fault...for being away from home.

thanks for the advice.