Ripped off my AVIS

serapis

Does anyone have any experience of any ways to dispute a charge on your credit card from a car rental company.

My problem is a signed the document, but I only did so as I thought it was for the rental not additional charges.

I had initially disputed the charges with AVIS who initially replied to my questions but when I asked for a copy of the receipt all they would send me was a scan of my signature and not the full receipt. I gave up and went to my CC issuer who sent me all the forms to dispute the charge. Now out of the blue I receive a new email from the AVIS customer services with a full copy of my receipt but stating:

"In light of the signed contract, we would consider the charges applied to your rental correct. I would like to thank you for your custom and the opportunity to be able to assist in the matter."

When I collected the car (from the airport in Malta) the forms were already printed and I was just asked to sign. When I asked what this was for, the man said in very broken English "This is for rental". I signed and handed over my card (as usual for insurance excess charges). The man took a carbon copy of the card and handed me both the card and keys. Approx 20 minutes later as I was driving out of the carpark I receive a text message from my CC issuer with a notification of a charge of €175 on my card.

Have I been scammed or is there any avenue to pursue this due to not being told these were additional charges?

eDicky

What is the additional charge for that you are disputing and why are you disputing it?

serapis

eDicky wrote: »

What is the additional charge for that you are disputing and why are you disputing it?

Additional insurances extra to those I had already paid for.

I was not asked if I wanted them, just told by the guy at the booth to sign and initial the boxes.

With the exchange rate being unknown I didn't know this was additional charges and when I asked I was told "this is for the car".

I have disputed this with my CC issuer but I'm not sure they will be that bothered to fight it as most aren't these days preferring to leave the customer with the charge as it's not them who are out of pocket.

StuieUK34

I don't know the story here, but I am gonna work on the basis that:
CC wont dispute or refund you.


in future, read what your signing, all currency works with numbers, not easy to miss that...
and yes, I rent from many blue chip rentals to the small guys in many countries. I always read what I sign.....

serapis

StuieUK34 wrote: »

I don't know the story here, but I am gonna work on the basis that:
CC wont dispute or refund you.


in future, read what your signing, all currency works with numbers, not easy to miss that...
and yes, I rent from many blue chip rentals to the small guys in many countries. I always read what I sign.....

As yet I'm unsure if the CC will dispute the charges. I'm not confident they will, but the receipt for the charges is not clear and the charges incurred were taken after I had left the airport. As I had said before, when challenged on what these were, the AVIS representative did not say they were additional charges, just that I need to sign the paperwork to receive the car.

I have hired vehicles in many countries and have ALWAYS first been asked if I want to purchase additional insurance waivers. AVIS did not ask, they just added them without my approval.

I understand what you are saying when you say I should always read what you are signing, but that's stating the obvious and not helpful or an answer to my question.