It’s pretty standard procedure during the rush hours. They just forgot to scan my car. I went to the office, and they even discounted the fuel costs.
Hey, basically title. So, I rented a car through avis- and it was my first time renting a car, so I didn’t take photos or anything. I rented on Dec 2nd, and returned hours before my scheduled time on December 3rd. When I pulled up to the parking lot, there was someone wearing neon vests, like the security guys who sit at the tables in the rental lot. So I asked them “how do I return the car?” He told me that I can just hand him the keys and the rental agreement and he’ll take care of it. So I trusted that and walked away. Now I get a text from avis that my car was never returned. I am freaking out.
I had this happen, I rented a car from one office and returned it to another. Got an email over the weekend asking where the car was.
I called on Monday morning and described the person I had given the keys to. They realized it was a paperwork issue and were very apologetic. Got a credit towards future rentals.
Lyle said:
I rent Avis. I believe they do license plate check-in or gps check in.
Either way, they have cameras. If you remember the hour you returned it, it shouldn’t be too much for them to confirm.
Locations that require bringing the keys to the counter along with mileage and the parking spot number may not have them.
Panama City and Ft Walton Beach come to mind.
Recently I had to return keys to the counter at Des Moines but they had a plate scanner too. There’s also a new parking garage going up and I think the rental area will expand.
AND this is why I take photos of any rental car when I pick up or drop off. A photo from each corner of the car (stand back above 10 feet to take the picture).
These photos (4 total at pick up and 4 total at drop off) show car’s condition, date stamped for pick up/drop off.
I keep photos for up to 2 years due to horror stories like this or ones where car rental agencies say I damaged the car.
Never take a rental vehicle without photos. Ugh, my sympathies for your situation. One way or another you’ll feel like you’re being robbed, and you might be.
Ari said: @Nico
I take a video in addition to the photos. An Enterprise office recommended that we do this. Apparently videos are harder to fake.
As a retired insurance adjuster, when you pick up the car, just drive it to an area toward the exit, pull to the side and get photos/video where other cars are not in the way of your documentation. Of course, be safe in the process.
It sounds like a lot, but it isn’t. And it can save you headaches in the future.
@Nico
Curious. I always take it where the rental car signage is visible when taking photos to combat the “you took it to some garage and took photos”. ie recently picked up a car that had a big dent in it. Took photos, told them at the gate, told them when I returned. Still got mailed the you owe us $300. I had the photos thankfully and eventually they dropped the case. But let’s just say they didn’t have the rental car company logo, and just looked like a random garage. They could say I damaged the vehicle, drove to a garage and took photos as if it was like that when I picked it up. Maybe I’m just paranoid.
@Gale
This is an excellent idea to show rental car condition at both pick up and drop off. Frankly, when I am dropping off a rentall, the line of cars are at an overhead rental car sign.
Just document, document, document on rental cars. It takes 1 erroneous claim made against you to ruin your day.
Ari said: @Nico
I take a video in addition to the photos. An Enterprise office recommended that we do this. Apparently videos are harder to fake.
Besides taking a photo and video, I would also place an AirTag in the vehicle so in case the rental car company accuses me of not returning, I can tell them exactly where the vehicle is located.
/s - adding just in case… But not bad of an idea considering for less than $25. But of course you have ethical and legal considerations…
@Darby
yep. and if there’s damage that they try to ding you for, no pun intended, it’s really tough to argue with an unedited / uncut video showing not only the car but it’s location, mileage, and most of the time the person you hand the keys over to.
legit, I spend 5 to 10 minutes each time. I go over the car top to bottom, undercarriage, under the hood, seats, interior, trunk, every single ding mark and scratch that I can find. roof too!
That happened to me at Avis at DIA too. I returned it. No one was outside at all! I went inside with the keys and talked to someone at the desk who said “just give me the keys, you’re good”. So I did. It was 1/2 day early. I got a bill three days later and they charged me for two extra days. Apparently they took that long to check that car back in. I had to send them a copy of my boarding pass and airline receipt to prove I flew out the day of return. They refunded the extra days and hrs. But it took legwork on my part.