Europcar Rental In New Zealand - Unknown Damages Charged - Seeking Legal Advice to Dispute

L365 on 09/12/2020 - 20:43
Last edited 10/12/2020 - 10:15 by 1 other user

Hi everyone, I need some advice on the following matter:

I rented a car in New Zealand with Europcar, and they are now charging me for some damages that I have no idea about, such as rain sensors, external calibration, and side-camera repair fees - altogether over $1000! I didn't have any accidents that could possibly cause these damages.

And I have just received a letter from the debt collector - Milton Graham, asking me to pay the amount. What should I do if I want to dispute it? I don't want to pay for what I have never done. Please help 😭😢🥺

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Comments

  • modsec802 on 09/12/2020 - 20:47

    When did it happen? What happened when you returned the car - did you get paperwork saying it was returned without damage?

    • 365 on 10/12/2020 - 07:42

      I returned it after hours, so no inspection is done on the spot. But they sent me a paperwork when I requested it - an inspection report saying that there is windscreen damage (stone chip 10 - 200 mm). Then the invoice of over $1000 includes the repair costs of the rain sensors, cameras, and calibration costs.

      • Cartman2530 on 10/12/2020 - 15:01

        I'd call europcar and find out the details from them first. If they have sold the debt to the debt collector who is not working on their behalf, then your only recourse now is to pay the money or ignore the debt collector.

        It could also be a scam as well, have you had any missed calls as i assume that europcar has your phone number.

  • Cartman2530 on 09/12/2020 - 20:52

    You could always ignore it, they are fishing after all.

    • 365 on 10/12/2020 - 07:43

      I am quite worried, because they are saying this will impact my credit score if I am not paying it in 7 days. Does anyone know where can I seek legal advice from (if possible from a free or cheaper institution?)

      • thatonethere on 10/12/2020 - 07:49

        Do you dispute the chip happened on your watch or not?

        If it did then you probably got to cop it. The modern car windscreen with sensors is a money pit now.

        If not did you take HD photos when dropping it off? If not then see above….

        When you hired the car you signed an agreement that would pay for damage. All those signatures they wanted…

  • No on 09/12/2020 - 20:53

    This doesn't make much sense.

    Is there any other damage listed? Its kinda difficult to break rain sensors without breaking a whole lot of other stuff unless it was deliberate.

    Post the letter with your personal details blocked out.

    Also when did you go to New Zealand? Pre or post covid?

    • 365 on 10/12/2020 - 07:44

      It was pre covid. They sent me paperwork when I requested it - an inspection report saying that there is windscreen damage (stone chip 10 - 200 mm). Then the invoice of over $1000 includes the repair costs of the rain sensors, cameras, and calibration costs.

  • Lexan on 09/12/2020 - 21:04
    -1

    If there's no other choice then pay for it. But do leave a negative comment on Google reviews. So they won't scam another customer.

    • 365 on 10/12/2020 - 07:45

      But this wouldn't help to stop them to chase me down… Does anyone know where can I seek legal advice (if possible from a free or cheaper institution?)

  • websterp on 09/12/2020 - 21:09

    Rain sensor is attached to the windscreen. So perhaps it got chipped (may be you didn't notice) and they had to replace it? Did you ask them about the nature of the damage to the car that they are claiming you for? If you have what did they say?

    • 365 on 10/12/2020 - 07:47

      I asked for evidence, and they just sent me the inspection report and the invoice. An inspection report saying that there is windscreen damage (stone chip 10 - 200 mm). Then the invoice of over $1000 includes the repair costs of the rain sensors, cameras, and calibration costs.

  • GOFYS on 09/12/2020 - 21:17
    +8

    Ignore them. europcar specialises in Scamming customers.
    Do not answer anything from anyone.
    Once they get a bite they will never leave you alone

    • 365 on 10/12/2020 - 07:46

      I wish I could just ignore them, but I am worried that it will impact my credit score if I don't pay the amount.

  • Hithere on 10/12/2020 - 07:09

    See a lawyer OP

    Europcar Rental has sold the debt to Milton Graham who will not give up hounding you until a settlement is reached.

    • 365 on 10/12/2020 - 07:45

      Does anyone know where can I seek legal advice (if possible from a free or cheaper institution?)

  • Hithere on 10/12/2020 - 08:02
    +1

    Many lawyers provide a short 'free advice' service.

    Don't know where you are located but you can also Google 'Legal aid' for advice.

  • Basicbupa on 10/12/2020 - 09:18
    +2

    So I have been through something similar but with another rental company and did seek legal advice.

    The slight difference with me is that they did perform an inspection and signed off on a condition report with me and decided to charge for damages after the fact. After a few weeks of ignoring their calls I realised that they had charged me over $1000 anyway (which for me at the time was an absurd amount of money because I was on youth allowance and only working a few days a week). I put a dispute in with my bank which returned the money within a few days. After months of hearing nothing from them, I got a call from a debt collector.

    So I’m not a lawyer, but have a family friend who was able to help. If you tell the debt collector the matter is in dispute with the company they must put it on hold. This is what I did and sent emails back and forth disputing with the rental company for months on end until they stopped replying. It’s been a few years now and haven’t heard a thing from the company or the debt collectors.

    Unfortunately it’s a very common situation and seems to part of the car rental business practice to squeeze out as much coin as as they can. You may have to look up the laws in New Zealand regarding your specific situation. Try not to stress too much OP. Be concise, assertive and persistent and eventually they’ll probably just put it down as a bad debt in accounting and leave you alone.

  • blutek on 10/12/2020 - 17:56

    Why was it not charged direct to your credit card (like above)?

  • GOFYS on 17/12/2020 - 22:24

    Blutek has asked a valid question.
    Ask them for the previous and next inspection reports, and quotes. were they dated and signed?
    Europcar just loves to keep reusing the same damage

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