Is this miss selling?

Electro_Cliff

On 8th Dec 2023 I travelled Ryanair from Alicante to Liverpool. I booked a small hire car on the Ryanair website. I received directions to the Green Motion reception area which is off the airport area. I also received an insurance document from Rental Cover. I was advised not to buy any extra insurance from Green Motion beyond the basic requirements and use the Rental Cover policy.

This is all covered by paperwork.
Now the facts.

At the time of travelling I was 88 years old.( my birthday was on the 4th Dec). I had and still have a valid Spanish driving licence. I have a Spanish TIE residency card.
The Rental Cover policy document stated specifically that the cover required the policy holder to be a Spanish resident with a valid driving license between the ages of 19 to 99 years old.

With all this information I was happy to pay the 629.67 Euros for a small car to visit family and friends into and over Christmas. I also received a request from Green Motion to provide scans of my driving license and passport. I sent the scans; both of which contain my birth date.

On arrival at Green Motion reception I was asked to confirm my age.
When I said 88, the reception staff pointed to their terms displayed on the desk. 
Max age 80 for car rental. It was against their company policy to let me have a car!!!!

All other car hire offices on the airport were closed or not answering the phone.
They drove me back to the airport where my daughter in law picked me up after driving from Lancaster to Liverpool!!!

I have complained to Ryanair who refuse to accept any responsibility and direct me to Green Motion. They in turn direct me back to Ryanair. The Rental Cover policy covers lots of things but NOT being refused a car!!!

My money has disappeared into a black hole. No one wants to accept responsibility.
I would appreciate advice on what steps I should take to at least recover it. 

oldernonethewiser

Are there two different sets of T&Cs here?

The rental agreement and the insurance.

Greenmotion do have an upper age limit of 80 for hiring (it is on their website)

Your issue seem to be that the third party you organised your hire from has made an error. (EDIT - it appears not, see my next post)

As an aside Greenmotion, now also known as Homemotion, are one of the most complained about renters on Tripadvisor.

oldernonethewiser

Doing a dummy booking through Ryanair and selecting one of the Greenmotion options I then read the T&Cs;

"Age Requirements

To drive this car, you must be at least 21.

To drive this car, you must be under the age of 80."

Also this;

"Please see ‘What you need at pick-up’ above - and note that the counter staff will not provide a car unless all requirements (age, driving licence, payment card, documentation, etc.) are met. If this happens, you will not be entitled to any refund or compensation."

Electro_Cliff

I guess I am now a slightly wiser 88 year old.
A 600+ euro expensive lesson on trust and expectations in the online world.
Obviously all the cards are stacked in the seller's favour.
Ignore warning the client of a potential problem if his money is in your bank!!!
All parties had the information about my age weeks before I boarded the plane.

The Spanish offline system usually involves paying a small deposit or not paying at all until the good is delivered.
This practice has lulled me into a false sense of securuty!!!