View Full Version : Auto Rental warning - don't forget your contract
Hi,
I'm glad to be able to post again.
While I was away I rented a car from Budget. I'm not sure if the paperwork is the same for the other rental companies, but when I looked in the glove compartment for an ice scraper, I noticed that someone had left a rental contract there. I looked at it out of curiosity, and discovered that it had the renter's name and address, driver's license number and an imprint of the credit card right on the contract.
I know that in the past I've stuck the paperwork for a rental in the glove compartment and can't say for certain that I always check there when I'm emptying out the car.
I took the contract and brought it home with me. I'll mail it to the previous renter - so they'll be aware of how much personal information was left behind.
Terry
PS the ice scraper wasn't there - and should have been!
Rental car contracts are considered to be the same as an owner's card (vehicle registration card) throughout the US, and therefore are required to contain a considerable amount of personal information about the renter, although, I don't remember any of my Hertz contracts showing any credit card information, which is clearly unnecessary.
As a rule, I don't leave my owner's card in my own car, in case of break-in or theft, and I certainly follow the same rule in a rental car, and never leave the contract in the car. Like the owner's card I take the contract with me, whenever I leave the car anywhere. That's especially important if you have the car valet parked.
Terry, before taking a rental car off the lot I:
Carefully check the car for damage myself, if the rental agent doesn't do it with me, and take photos of the damage with my cell phone and get an agent to verify the damage and make a notation of it on the contract, and initial it.
Check to make sure the spare tire or donut is in or on the car and properly inflated.
Check to make sure that the jack and associated equipment, necessary to change the tire in case of flat is in the car.
Check to see if the windshield washer tank is full, and that the washer actually functions.
Check the level of gas in the car to make sure it conforms to the amount noted on the contract.
Check to see if the ice scrapper that's supposed to be there in the winter is actually there.
Check to see if all tires are properly inflated. If one is low, it could mean the tire has been punctured and needs to be patched or replaced prior to leaving the lot.
Check to see that all the cars exterior and interior lights are functioning. (I once got a ticket in CA for driving a rental that had a brake light which didn't work.)I think that's about the list. Maybe someone else can add to it.
mtp51
01-17-2008, 06:24 AM
And don't forget to check the windshield wipers! Shortly after taking a car off the Dollar lot in SAN, there was a downpour and we had to pull over until it stopped. It's a slight irritant when you have to take a car back for a replacement.:(
That's a great addition to the list Marge. Thanks.
And don't forget to check the windshield wipers! Shortly after taking a car off the Dollar lot in SAN, there was a downpour and we had to pull over until it stopped. It's a slight irritant when you have to take a car back for a replacement.:(
Thanks for the list of things to check Ned. As always, it's a great list of things to remember.
You have to realize though that some of us are just not as organized as you are and never will be.
My reason for the post is to alert those people that the rental contract should be something that you don't leave behind and to check the glove compartment when returning the car.
deangreenhoe
01-17-2008, 09:13 AM
Check the level of gas in the car to make sure it conforms to the amount noted on the contract.
This is one of my bugaboos with the often "less than honest" car rental industry. I have had a conversation with the lot attendant more than once about this when the contract says "full" and I can see that the gauge is obviously a bit under topped off. My concerns have been dismissed before and I've driven to the first filling station I came to and have been able to get 3 gallons + into the tank before the auto shut-off clicked over on the pump. Of course, I saved a time/date stamped receipt that proved that I did not drive off the lot truly with a full tank.
I'm not a cheap person and I can certainly afford 3 gallons of gas, even at the potentially inflated rate they would charge me if they had to top off the tank upon my return if I came back at the same level. This is one of those "it's the principal" sort of things. Especially at today's fuel prices, I imagine if they could skim just a couple gallons per rental off the customer it would add up to a tidy sum eventually.
I've also had them direct me over to their own pumps at the beginning of a rental when I've called them on it, and been nicely glared at when they were able to fit a similar amount in the "full" tank before I drove away. :rolleyes:
If nobody tries to keep them honest, they will surely attempt to get away with it on a regular basis.
Other than that, I would add one more thing that I put into practice this past summer. If you are given a nonsmoking car, or rent from a company that claims all nonsmoking vehicles, look for signs that a previous renter may have broken that rule, and if so, make them note it on the contract or exit slip.
That may not sound like a big deal either, but many rental companies are now assessing a hefty cleaning surcharge upon return for those who smoke in a designated nonsmoking vehicle. If you don't speak up you could end up paying the penalty for the previous renter's carelessness.
In my case, I'm a smoker but do abide by the rules. However, the nonsmoking car I rented had an obvious cigarette burn hidden under a floor mat, there was evidence of the ashtray having been used and a detectable faint odor of smoke. I had no intention of taking the financial hit for that.
icymrot
01-17-2008, 11:52 AM
That may not sound like a big deal either, but many rental companies are now assessing a hefty cleaning surcharge upon return for those who smoke in a designated nonsmoking vehicle. If you don't speak up you could end up paying the penalty for the previous renter's carelessness.
In my case, I'm a smoker but do abide by the rules. However, the nonsmoking car I rented had an obvious cigarette burn hidden under a floor mat, there was evidence of the ashtray having been used and a detectable faint odor of smoke. I had no intention of taking the financial hit for that.
I find this happening more and more! The last four times I have had to rent a car I had to go back and change because the previous driver was smoking in the car and made no attempt to cover it up. Everytime I go back I get the "just live with it" stare and a bunch of attitude.
I am not a smoker but if I was, and I was charged the "cleaining" fee, I would be angry because they are definitely just taking the money and not bothering to do anything about it.
I understood the reason for the post and it's a darn good one. I just wanted to take it to the next level.
Thanks for the list of things to check Ned. As always, it's a great list of things to remember.
You have to realize though that some of us are just not as organized as you are and never will be.
My reason for the post is to alert those people that the rental contract should be something that you don't leave behind and to check the glove compartment when returning the car.
You are soooooooooooo right about this. I can't stand that smell and will just not accept a stinky car. I got the stares, but ignored them. I will say that since I dumped Enterprise completely about 4 years ago, and now use Hertz almost exclusively, I haven't had the problem.
I find this happening more and more! The last four times I have had to rent a car I had to go back and change because the previous driver was smoking in the car and made no attempt to cover it up. Everytime I go back I get the "just live with it" stare and a bunch of attitude.
I am not a smoker but if I was, and I was charged the "cleaining" fee, I would be angry because they are definitely just taking the money and not bothering to do anything about it.
msnovtue
01-17-2008, 02:30 PM
I'll add this, just beacuse of recent experience.... when renting a car somewhere other than the US, don't assume everything works the same way... I spent an entire (and highly memorable) day driving a car I couldn't figure out how to get into reverse. (Long, embarrasing story....)
the dark knight
01-17-2008, 02:41 PM
I always request nonsmoking cars when I travel (especially alone). I have used National recently and have also used Alamo, Thrifty and Budget in the past and haven't had problems. But I have a poor sense of smell, so who knows? Since my traveling companions (nonsmokers like myself, but with better sense of smell) haven't complained (and some of them are picky), I figure that I came out okay.
I have used Enterprise personally centuries ago, but I don't now because they are too shifty with their vehicle makes (and that is something I am picky about).
I'll add this, just beacuse of recent experience.... when renting a car somewhere other than the US, don't assume everything works the same way... I spent an entire (and highly memorable) day driving a car I couldn't figure out how to get into reverse. (Long, embarrasing story....)
You've got that right!
A friend and I spent a week in Italy and didn't figure out until the last day that you COULD open the back doors by opening it from the inside - it just had no handles on the outside. Whenever we wanted to put something in the back of the car, rather than the trunk, we had to wind the crank on the side of the seat to move it forward enough for access.
It still seems like a crazy design, but at least there were only two of us.
deangreenhoe
01-17-2008, 04:08 PM
I'll add this, just beacuse of recent experience.... when renting a car somewhere other than the US, don't assume everything works the same way... I spent an entire (and highly memorable) day driving a car I couldn't figure out how to get into reverse. (Long, embarrasing story....)
Heh, heh. Don't feel bad. I rented a luxury car in Hawaii once (U.S. made model) and couldn't figure out how to get the gas tank cover to open. Of course, my travel companion couldn't either and he's a car buff and thought he new everything about Cadillacs since he owned an earlier version of that exact model. Obviously not.
We had to return the car almost empty and pay for them to refill it at inflated prices. I did complain (just a little) since they didn't have the vehicle book in the glove box - of course, they rarely, if ever, do that. They should be required to do so.
icymrot
01-17-2008, 04:09 PM
I always request nonsmoking cars when I travel (especially alone). I have used National recently and have also used Alamo, Thrifty and Budget in the past and haven't had problems. But I have a poor sense of smell, so who knows? Since my traveling companions (nonsmokers like myself, but with better sense of smell) haven't complained (and some of them are picky), I figure that I came out okay.
I have used Enterprise personally centuries ago, but I don't now because they are too shifty with their vehicle makes (and that is something I am picky about).
Maybe it is just cars out of BWI cause I just don't have luck down there and have rented from Thrifty and Budget the last two times.
Ned I wish I could use Hertz because they at least seem to check the preferences on their #1 Club Gold members but their prices are too high and I have to be more economical!
Fortunately I get a nice corporate discount from Hertz, otherwise they would be pricey for me too.
Maybe it is just cars out of BWI cause I just don't have luck down there and have rented from Thrifty and Budget the last two times.
Ned I wish I could use Hertz because they at least seem to check the preferences on their #1 Club Gold members but their prices are too high and I have to be more economical!
Ned I wish I could use Hertz because they at least seem to check the preferences on their #1 Club Gold members but their prices are too high and I have to be more economical!
Sometimes that's true, and other times I've found Hertz to be the best deal all around. If you are an AAA member, a spouse or any other AAA member can be added as a driver without charge. There's also the on site or off in a shuttle issue to be taken into account.
socampbell
01-17-2008, 09:00 PM
I have actually had great service from the Enterprise just down the road from my office- something about seeing them twice a month may help :)
They have even swapped cars for me when I made a mistake in renting the wrong class (I needed cruise control and economy doesn't have it) The new policy of offering to sell you the full tank of gas ahead of time (at VERY competitive rates) has also helped me when I've known that I'll be driving far enough to make it worthwhile.
RGoltsch
01-20-2008, 10:17 AM
Heh, heh. Don't feel bad. I rented a luxury car in Hawaii once (U.S. made model) and couldn't figure out how to get the gas tank cover to open. Of course, my travel companion couldn't either and he's a car buff and thought he new everything about Cadillacs since he owned an earlier version of that exact model. Obviously not.
We had to return the car almost empty and pay for them to refill it at inflated prices. I did complain (just a little) since they didn't have the vehicle book in the glove box - of course, they rarely, if ever, do that. They should be required to do so.
I had the same problem opening my gas door on a rental Mercedes in Germany. But my problem was compounded by the fact that my German language skills were nearly non-exisitent. I looked in the glove box and found the manual....but guess what? It was in German.
Luckily for me, another driver pulled in to the station that had a similar car. I walked up to him and playing charades, managed to get my point across that I couldn't get the damn gas door open.
He took out his keys, and clicked his door open on the remote for his car........Everytime I would exit the car, I have a habit of locking the doors. All I had to do was unlock the doors :lol:.
I am sure there is a man in Germany that loves to tell the story of the idiot American that couldn't even open his gas cap.........
msnovtue
01-22-2008, 09:55 AM
I had the same problem opening my gas door on a rental Mercedes in Germany. But my problem was compounded by the fact that my German language skills were nearly non-exisitent. I looked in the glove box and found the manual....but guess what? It was in German.
Luckily for me, another driver pulled in to the station that had a similar car. I walked up to him and playing charades, managed to get my point across that I couldn't get the damn gas door open.
He took out his keys, and clicked his door open on the remote for his car........Everytime I would exit the car, I have a habit of locking the doors. All I had to do was unlock the doors :lol:.
I am sure there is a man in Germany that loves to tell the story of the idiot American that couldn't even open his gas cap.........
RoFL... he can swap stories with anybody who saw the dumb blonde American chick having to *push* her car backwards out of a parking space in Oberammergau....:lol:
And I understand about the manual... I thought my understanding of German was pretty good until I tried to figure out how to work the windshield wipers....
socampbell
01-22-2008, 11:14 PM
RoFL... he can swap stories with anybody who saw the dumb blonde American chick having to *push* her car backwards out of a parking space in Oberammergau....:lol:
I had a time with German rentals as well- picked one up in Frankfurt to go to Ramstein... at least I thought to stop by the USO and offer some of the airmen a ride- one of them found reverse eventually!
Gesualdo
01-23-2008, 01:59 PM
I have one to add to the list...make sure you check the heater and/or air conditioning. Depending on where you are and what time of year, you may want to check both. It seems like a given, but when the sun comes out and you're facing a 3-hour drive, well...
And thanks for the tip about the ice scraper. I'm headed for Rhode Island next month, and it would never have occurred to me to check for that.
candyharrington
02-03-2008, 06:08 PM
in a pinch, I use a credit card for an ice scraper.
and my rental car tip --- never ever park someplace where it might be towed. Bailing it out is a big PITA. Don't ask!!
Candy
webjetter1
02-03-2008, 10:49 PM
National Emerald Aisle members do not generally get a contract at all.
You have to ask for one.
If you intend to go on a military installation you MUST get a contract.
Luckily my company requires that I rent a car with all the insurance so I never worry about any of these things. I can beat the crap out of it and as long as it's full of gas when I return it, no problem.
Of course I never beat it up... but I could.