Comments on: The ‘sign here’ scam http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/the-sign-here-scam/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Carver http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/the-sign-here-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-28590 Carver Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:36:32 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/the-sign-here-scam/#comment-28590 In the States, the easiest way to avoid funky charges is to join the loyalty program. You sign a master contract and you don't have to deal with figuring out contract specs after a long flight. Usually the worse that you deal with is he guard asking you if you want the fuel option. In the States, the easiest way to avoid funky charges is to join the loyalty program. You sign a master contract and you don’t have to deal with figuring out contract specs after a long flight. Usually the worse that you deal with is he guard asking you if you want the fuel option.

]]> By: Cynthia http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/the-sign-here-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-28576 Cynthia Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:29:28 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/the-sign-here-scam/#comment-28576 It must be a common scam in Paris. In 1994 we had it happen with Hertz when we declined the insurance but ended up with a charge anyway. The contract was all in French and one place they had us initial turned out to be an acceptance of insurance for our personal property in the car. We are fans of the Rick Steves carryon style of travel and had nothing of value. Hertz would not help us of course because we had initialed as advised. Our only recourse has been to never rent from Hertz again and to be very careful in our subsequent 15 trips to Europe. Maybe the rental agents get to keep all the fees on these fraudulent transactions. It must be a common scam in Paris. In 1994 we had it happen with Hertz when we declined the insurance but ended up with a charge anyway. The contract was all in French and one place they had us initial turned out to be an acceptance of insurance for our personal property in the car. We are fans of the Rick Steves carryon style of travel and had nothing of value. Hertz would not help us of course because we had initialed as advised. Our only recourse has been to never rent from Hertz again and to be very careful in our subsequent 15 trips to Europe. Maybe the rental agents get to keep all the fees on these fraudulent transactions.

]]> By: Ronda http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/the-sign-here-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-27913 Ronda Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:30:14 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/the-sign-here-scam/#comment-27913 This is why I dont rent cars. I take transit, taxi's or I walk, It drives my husband nuts because we sometiems end up waiting long times for taxies, but its worth the lack of stress. Rental cars are only worth it if your in an area out in the middle nowhere, other than that i recommend local transit (especially in europe, way more efficient (and cheaper) than driving.. This is why I dont rent cars. I take transit, taxi’s or I walk, It drives my husband nuts because we sometiems end up waiting long times for taxies, but its worth the lack of stress. Rental cars are only worth it if your in an area out in the middle nowhere, other than that i recommend local transit (especially in europe, way more efficient (and cheaper) than driving..

]]> By: Bob McIntyre http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/the-sign-here-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-27797 Bob McIntyre Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:34:27 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/the-sign-here-scam/#comment-27797 If you ever want to experience an abusive rental car upsale environment; Rent a car from Enterprise at Denver airport. I have about forty years experience renting cars, but I've never experienced anything like that Enterprise operation. If you ever want to experience an abusive rental car upsale
environment;
Rent a car from Enterprise at Denver airport.
I have about forty years experience renting cars, but I’ve never
experienced anything like that Enterprise operation.

]]> By: MrBadExample http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/the-sign-here-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-6070 MrBadExample Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:36:20 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/the-sign-here-scam/#comment-6070 You have to be VERY forceful with travel companies, rental cars in particular. I've found the Avis franchised locations to be the worst when it comes to various insurance "issues" Namely my employer has a contract with Avis that gives us the CDW for free and oft times the franchised locations will refuse to honor it or at least try. Chirs is dead bang correct that once you leave the counter your negotiating power is gone. So don't leave, get to the airport early and if you have to hold up the entire line until you get what you contracted for, do so. Most will cave if you're polite but firm in your request. I've had to mention that I had no problem filing a complaint with the Consumer Fraud Division in their state. That usually works. Telling them you're going to write Chris Elliott also works nicely in some circles. I've gone so far as to put the manager of the location on with our corporate travel manager who is one tough New York SOB. When this gentleman was told in no uncertain terms that he would be responsible for Avis losing several million dollars in rental business from a 30 BILLION plus international company all of the sudden he got "religion". BOTTOM LINE: Read the Contract BEFORE you sign or initial anything even if it takes 20 minutes. I just smile and tell the pushy hurry up ones that if they don't have anything to hide then they should welcome my diligence You have to be VERY forceful with travel companies, rental cars in particular. I’ve found the Avis franchised locations to be the worst when it comes to various insurance “issues” Namely my employer has a contract with Avis that gives us the CDW for free and oft times the franchised locations will refuse to honor it or at least try.

Chirs is dead bang correct that once you leave the counter your negotiating power is gone. So don’t leave, get to the airport early and if you have to hold up the entire line until you get what you contracted for, do so. Most will cave if you’re polite but firm in your request. I’ve had to mention that I had no problem filing a complaint with the Consumer Fraud Division in their state. That usually works. Telling them you’re going to write Chris Elliott also works nicely in some circles.

I’ve gone so far as to put the manager of the location on with our corporate travel manager who is one tough New York SOB. When this gentleman was told in no uncertain terms that he would be responsible for Avis losing several million dollars in rental business from a 30 BILLION plus international company all of the sudden he got “religion”.

BOTTOM LINE: Read the Contract BEFORE you sign or initial anything even if it takes 20 minutes. I just smile and tell the pushy hurry up ones that if they don’t have anything to hide then they should welcome my diligence

]]> By: Debbie http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/the-sign-here-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-4476 Debbie Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:28:21 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/the-sign-here-scam/#comment-4476 I rented a car from Avis in Germany a few years back. I normally don't purchase insurance since I place the rental on my CC (which covers auto insurance). When I got to the counter, I was asked to initial off on several areas "required" in order for me to get the car. I had my husband explain that I didn't want insurance and would not pay for it -- the agent said there was no insurance required but I needed to sign off anyway. When I returned home I had an extra charge for the insurance (doubling the price of the car rental). Checking directly with Avis representatives, I learned there was no policy requirement to pay for insurance with the car rental in Germany, and yet I was charged for it. Upon complaint, Avis credited my account, but this situation had thoroughly turned me off of any Avis rental. From reading the other posts regarding rentals in the UK and France, I can see that Avis did not isolate me in this crappy treatment. I rented a car from Avis in Germany a few years back. I normally don’t purchase insurance since I place the rental on my CC (which covers auto insurance). When I got to the counter, I was asked to initial off on several areas “required” in order for me to get the car. I had my husband explain that I didn’t want insurance and would not pay for it — the agent said there was no insurance required but I needed to sign off anyway.

When I returned home I had an extra charge for the insurance (doubling the price of the car rental). Checking directly with Avis representatives, I learned there was no policy requirement to pay for insurance with the car rental in Germany, and yet I was charged for it.

Upon complaint, Avis credited my account, but this situation had thoroughly turned me off of any Avis rental.

From reading the other posts regarding rentals in the UK and France, I can see that Avis did not isolate me in this crappy treatment.

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