Green Motion experience........!!!

flumbenka

My recent experience with Green Motion at Manchester airport has been shocking! I want to take my complaint further and would appreciate an opinion as to whether it is worth it.

My story:
I booked a cheap car from GM for my recent trip to the UK from Australia to visit family for 3 weeks. Paid online before we came over. We have used GM at least 3 or 4 times before as they have been a cheap option, and we are careful drivers, and have had no issues before. I have read the huge amount of negative reviews, but took a chance. Never again!

I paid, as usual, for their 'Basic' package, and accepted, as usual, the very high excess (1200 pounds). When I got to depot, the guy processing our paperwork and car told me I had to take out an additional package to reduce the excess, give me unlimited mileage etc etc. He actually lied to me and told me I didn't have any insurance, this was witnessed by another member of staff. In my vulnerable state of having just got off a long haul flight with 2 tired kids, I argued as best I could, disputing the additional 26 pound he wanted to pay on top of the full cost I'd already paid, he made all sorts of reasons why I had to pay it, eventually letting me take the car only once I paid an extra 410 pounds. I think my tired jetlagged state made me question whether I did actually have insurance. I loudly disputed what he said at the time, other customers heard, and as already mentioned, his colleague actually commented to me outside after listening to our discussion, that he had been unfair on me (but in not such polite terms).

I was so cross by my treatment but was put on the spot, and definitely lied to in order to get me to buy their risk reduction package. I contacted the head office by email to express my concerns about being lied to. Their initial response was understanding, and they said they would escalate my comments and get back to me.

The next email said "unfortunately' as I had paid for the risk reduction package, I had accepted it at the time. I again reiterated the circumstances ie I had been lied to and mis-sold the package that I did not want and did not need and would not use.

I was unable to return the car to the depot, being in the middle of a holiday and not being prepared to ruin it due to them.
I spoke to a customer service manager at the depot who seemed to listen and said he would talk to the staff involved.
I made it clear that I wanted a full refund and would not leave it unless that is what I got as I had been lied to.

Long story short, they have offered me 50% refund of the extra risk reduction package that I was forced to pay for, as a 'goodwill' gesture. I have disputed this and said I would not accept it. They have said tough, that's it, either accept it or make a complaint via BVRLA, but lose their previous offer of a 50% 'goodwill' refund.

Is it even worth me trying to progress a complaint? It's less about the actual money and more about the fact that I was lied to and coerced into paying an addition 150% on top of the original price, and they have in no way acknowledged this.
Advice and opinons appreciated.
Thank you.

EveryWhere

You were warned. You chose to ignore, deciding to "take a chance". You accepted and utilised the package and now you you want your money back after using it.
Take it as one of life's lessons. Take the 50% as acceptance of a mistake on both of your parts and move on with your life.