🚀 go-pugleaf

ferret@ferret.sonnet.co.uk (The Ferret) wrote:

>On Fri, 02 Aug 1996 19:42:42, smckinty@sunicnc.France.Sun.COM (Steve
>McKinty - SunSoft ICNC Grenoble) wrote:


>>That said, Hertz will always try and get as much money as they can in
>>any case like that. I know someone whose car was involved in a minor
>>accident that was not his fault (the car was rear-ended when he was
>>waiting at a junction). Hertz billed his credit card $2000 for the
>>(slightly cracked) rear bumper.

>	They should not be debiting your credit card without your
>say-so because that could put you in a difficult position. I am
>surprised they expect people to sign blank chits, and would be
>interested to learn what would happen if you refuse, or endorse them
>with a maximum. What a reputable business would do, of course, is send
>you an invoice with a reasonable time to pay. Nobody can expect
>customers to meet enourmous and unexpected bills at no notice. And, of
>course, that assumes you are contractually liable.

The fact is this is an isolated incident and if car rental agencies
took the approach of billing people after the fact they would quickly
go out of business. Reputable car rental companies are highly unlikely
to take unfair advantage of your pre signed voucher which merely
guarantees you will be responcible for any expense you may cause.

While I am sympathetic to the proble of the original poster the
problem which ensued was somewhat of their own making. There were
options available to them that they either did not think of or didn't
bother with. They might have contacted the main Hertz France office to
seek guidance. They might have sought assistance from the local police
station enquiring where to leave the car. It is interesting to note
that they left it at the train station not at the lot where Hertz
keeps its cars most of which have a drop box for after hours.