Comments on: Customers pressure Hertz to change refueling policy — and it does http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kevin http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-86142 Kevin Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:47:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-86142 Hertz is definitely at it again.  I filled the car at a DIA circle K about 200 feet from the rental return location.  A week later I get a letter stating that "When the vehicle was returned, the fuel tank was noted as full.  However, when the vehicle was serviced for the next rental, 5.45 gallons of gas were needed to refuel the vehicle."  $50. Unbelievable.  They said they require I fax the actual receipt from filling the tank to remove the charge.  Even though their agent marked the freaking receipt as full as I watched. DO NOT RENT FROM HERTZ.  These guys are thieves. Hertz is definitely at it again.  I filled the car at a DIA circle K about 200 feet from the rental return location.  A week later I get a letter stating that “When the vehicle was returned, the fuel tank was noted as full.  However, when the vehicle was serviced for the next rental, 5.45 gallons of gas were needed to refuel the vehicle.”  $50.

Unbelievable.  They said they require I fax the actual receipt from filling the tank to remove the charge.  Even though their agent marked the freaking receipt as full as I watched.

DO NOT RENT FROM HERTZ.  These guys are thieves.

]]> By: Charles Clarke http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-63144 Charles Clarke Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:20:05 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-63144 Do rental car companies have to be licensed as a fuel reseller or distributor? Seems like that is what they are doing here. Do rental car companies have to be licensed as a fuel reseller or distributor? Seems like that is what they are doing here.

]]> By: Ty http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-35875 Ty Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:51:35 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-35875 Hey Elliot, I realize this blog is dated back in 2008, but apparently Hertz has gotten back to their old trick. I just returned a rental from Hertz earlier today and tripped totalling 91 miles after 3 days, I was to shock to see the bill for $53.38 for gas & service. The receipt indicates $8.99/gal. I am just lost for word. Hey Elliot,
I realize this blog is dated back in 2008, but apparently Hertz has gotten back to their old trick. I just returned a rental from Hertz earlier today and tripped totalling 91 miles after 3 days, I was to shock to see the bill for $53.38 for gas & service. The receipt indicates $8.99/gal. I am just lost for word.

]]> By: Andrew Samtoy http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-18964 Andrew Samtoy Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:26:42 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-18964 We are a law firm and want to talk to persons who were charged refueling fees by rental car companies. We are especially (but not exclusively) interested in people in the state of Ohio. It doesn’t matter which rental company charged the fee – Hertz, Avis or Budget – we want to talk to you. Please contact Andrew Samtoy at Dworken and Bernstein, L.P.A., at (866) 964-1806. We are a law firm and want to talk to persons who were charged refueling fees by rental car companies. We are especially (but not exclusively) interested in people in the state of Ohio. It doesn’t matter which rental company charged the fee – Hertz, Avis or Budget – we want to talk to you. Please contact Andrew Samtoy at Dworken and Bernstein, L.P.A., at (866) 964-1806.

]]> By: tripso.com | Hertz quietly reverts back to overpriced fuel purchase options http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-15653 tripso.com | Hertz quietly reverts back to overpriced fuel purchase options Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:54:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-15653 [...] was too good to last. Hertz’ much-welcome decision in July to charge customers who didn’t prepay for a tank of gas based on the average price per gallon [...] [...] was too good to last. Hertz’ much-welcome decision in July to charge customers who didn’t prepay for a tank of gas based on the average price per gallon [...]

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-13300 Jennifer Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:50:03 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-13300 So my boyfriend and I are getting ready for an out of town wedding where we need to rent from Hertz. We don't expect to have time to refuel before returning the car - but we will probably be driving less than 40 miles. So am I right to assume that we will be charged some amount of cents per mile we drive - in order to calculate the refueling charge? What if we drive one of their green cars - is the amt different from one of their sportier cars and if so does ANYBODY know how such a calculation is made? I mean aside from lowering their prices, has Hertz changed anything about the way they bizarrely calculate their refueling costs? PLEASE CLUE ME IN! So my boyfriend and I are getting ready for an out of town wedding where we need to rent from Hertz. We don’t expect to have time to refuel before returning the car – but we will probably be driving less than 40 miles. So am I right to assume that we will be charged some amount of cents per mile we drive – in order to calculate the refueling charge? What if we drive one of their green cars – is the amt different from one of their sportier cars and if so does ANYBODY know how such a calculation is made? I mean aside from lowering their prices, has Hertz changed anything about the way they bizarrely calculate their refueling costs? PLEASE CLUE ME IN!

]]> By: Dean Gresham http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12898 Dean Gresham Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:47:13 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12898 Our law firm is investigating this issue on behalf of an existing client and we are gathering factual information related to Hertz's refueling policy. If this has happened to you and you have documentary proof, please contact me at dgresham@fineberglaw.com or (214) 219-8828. We are trying to ascertain the nature, extent, and scope of this problem. Thank you, Dean Gresham Our law firm is investigating this issue on behalf of an existing client and we are gathering factual information related to Hertz’s refueling policy. If this has happened to you and you have documentary proof, please contact me at dgresham@fineberglaw.com or (214) 219-8828. We are trying to ascertain the nature, extent, and scope of this problem.

Thank you,
Dean Gresham

]]> By: Bart Moore http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12581 Bart Moore Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:24:31 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12581 Thanks Chris for actually getting something done about my complaint. I'lve been trying to figure out how to file a complaint with the FTC or another appropriate agency but now you've done it for all of us. As you recall, I had another Hertz rental and put 135 miles on it. I returned it full (not just the needle showing Full, but actually had filled the tank) and was charged about $70. So will Hertz's new policy be to no longer charge for fuel regardless of the miles driven, as long as cars are returned Full, or only if you show a receipt or happen to notice THEIR fraudulent charge (uh, I mean mistake). Good job! I might just continue my Hertz #1 Gold membership. Bart Thanks Chris for actually getting something done about my complaint. I’lve been trying to figure out how to file a complaint with the FTC or another appropriate agency but now you’ve done it for all of us.

As you recall, I had another Hertz rental and put 135 miles on it. I returned it full (not just the needle showing Full, but actually had filled the tank) and was charged about $70. So will Hertz’s new policy be to no longer charge for fuel regardless of the miles driven, as long as cars are returned Full, or only if you show a receipt or happen to notice THEIR fraudulent charge (uh, I mean mistake).

Good job! I might just continue my Hertz #1 Gold membership.
Bart

]]> By: tripso.com | Is this the final chapter in the car rental refueling scam? http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12580 tripso.com | Is this the final chapter in the car rental refueling scam? Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:45:10 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12580 [...] it appeared the action was based on pressure from customers. But in retrospect, the Maryland decision may have [...] [...] it appeared the action was based on pressure from customers. But in retrospect, the Maryland decision may have [...]

]]> By: Maynard Dodson http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12569 Maynard Dodson Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:49:30 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12569 Many times when someone rents a car only for a day, they don't end up driving the car enough for the gas needle to move below the "Full" mark, so they don't put any fuel in the tank. If Hertz actually attempted to put gas in every car that's returned with the needle on F, I wouldn't have a problem with this fee. Having to show a receipt would prove that you actually did add a couple of gallons before returning. However, when the needle is on F, I doubt that Hertz tries to add any more gas to the car, and it's quickly cleaned and returned to the rental line. Then the next customer rents the car with 2 gallons less than full, and pays for those 2 gallons when they refill the car at the end of the rental. Maybe the Hertz policy isn't fair, but is it fair to the second person who rents the car? The car appears to be full, but isn't, and they end up paying for the fuel useage of the previous customer. Many times when someone rents a car only for a day, they don’t end up driving the car enough for the gas needle to move below the “Full” mark, so they don’t put any fuel in the tank. If Hertz actually attempted to put gas in every car that’s returned with the needle on F, I wouldn’t have a problem with this fee. Having to show a receipt would prove that you actually did add a couple of gallons before returning. However, when the needle is on F, I doubt that Hertz tries to add any more gas to the car, and it’s quickly cleaned and returned to the rental line. Then the next customer rents the car with 2 gallons less than full, and pays for those 2 gallons when they refill the car at the end of the rental. Maybe the Hertz policy isn’t fair, but is it fair to the second person who rents the car? The car appears to be full, but isn’t, and they end up paying for the fuel useage of the previous customer.

]]> By: Susan http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12560 Susan Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:50:59 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12560 I live in Toronto and have rented from AVIS for 14+ years. Their system automatically tacks on the fuel charge if the car has been driven 125 km or less. However, the charge is manually removed when I show them the receipt for filling the tank. I live in Toronto and have rented from AVIS for 14+ years. Their system automatically tacks on the fuel charge if the car has been driven 125 km or less. However, the charge is manually removed when I show them the receipt for filling the tank.

]]> By: Christen http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12559 Christen Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:50:23 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12559 It's good to hear about the gas prices, probably because they are already obscene without adding extra percentage cut on top. Not completely related, but I just learned this the hard way last week, might be helpful to others. Hertz' definition of spouse does not extend to domestic partners, you must be married to be automatically covered by their insurance. Surprising to me because I live in California where spouse and dp are treated the same. It’s good to hear about the gas prices, probably because they are already obscene without adding extra percentage cut on top.

Not completely related, but I just learned this the hard way last week, might be helpful to others. Hertz’ definition of spouse does not extend to domestic partners, you must be married to be automatically covered by their insurance. Surprising to me because I live in California where spouse and dp are treated the same.

]]> By: Chicky http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12555 Chicky Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:33:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12555 Well, let's see... I get paid this week. Reckon I could buy AA? Oh, the changes I would make. LOL. Well, let’s see… I get paid this week. Reckon I could buy AA? Oh, the changes I would make. LOL.

]]> By: Joe Farrell http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12542 Joe Farrell Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:48:49 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12542 AA has negative shareholder value - anyone with a $1.85 in their pocket can buy AA. AA has negative shareholder value – anyone with a $1.85 in their pocket can buy AA.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.elliott.org/blog/customers-pressure-hertz-to-change-refueling-policy-and-it-does/comment-page-1/#comment-12540 Aaron Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:31:43 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5058#comment-12540 Amazing! Now if only Hertz would buy American Airlines... Amazing! Now if only Hertz would buy American Airlines…

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