Hire Car Late Return

[scoey1001]

Hi all,

Mother in law arranged a hire car (in my name but using her card details) for me to drive somewhere as a favour for family member.

Picked car up at 11am on Saturday as agreed and rental was for 2 days. Now this is my error as i didn't check the form where it says return time - 8am. Had 2 missed calls at 8.20 this morning which i returned at 8.30 to them saying 'where is the car it should have been back by 7.30am'. I told them i thought the rental was for 2 days and was going to return by 11am, apologised and took the car back immediately, it was there by 8.40am.

The guy says mother in law/me will be charged and when asked how much he said 'The computer works it out we'll have to get back to you'. Now there is nothing on the terms he gave me that mentions a late return charge etc. but on their website it says if over 30 mins late you will be charged a full day.

Also another issue is when i returned the car he said 'ill have to look at it later and let you know if there's any damage'. I insisted he checked the car over inc. fuel etc. which he did look at, however on leaving i asked if all was ok and he replied 'Seems to be but i'll have to give it a wash later and have another look'. I didn't bother taking pictures etc. at this point as i thought no point he could just say it showed up once cleaned.

Questions;

1. Can he automatically charge the payment card used for a 'late return fee' (MIL says no deposit taken from bank even though it states £100 deposit on paperwork).

2. Can he come back to me stating damage even though he would not fully check the car when i was there?

Thanks

[mmm-five]

It's a bit strange.

Normally it's timed from when you pick it up to when you drop it off - so pick up by 11am and drop off by 11am 2 days later would equal 2 days rental...or that's how it's alway been for me in the UK with Enterprise, Europcar, Avis, Hertz. Sixt.

Although I'm always much more careful abroad, and use a pre-paid credit card just for those.

Is it one of the 'big' brands, or one of the dodgier ones that Watchdog/Martin Lewis/Which/Telegraph warn about (e.g. ones with easi or green in their names)?

To answer your questions (and if it actually comes to it, as he might have just been very busy and wanted to get onto something else):

1. yes, they can add extra charges (late return fees, one-way fees, parking tickets, speeding tickets, damage, insurance excess) onto the card presented, and the contract was signed agreeing to this. Only by reading the T&Cs and Rental Agreement will you be able to tell whether it is a Late Return, or whether they're trying it on to boost commissions.
2. yes, see answer above. The mistake you've made is to leave without getting the condition signed off - as it will now be your word against their's...and as you don't have any photographic proof off the condition you returned it in, so if they provide any photos showing damage how are you going to prove otherwise.

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 17th August 14:59

[Camelot1971]

As a former car rental branch manager, I expect they planned their morning cars and expected you back first thing so they can send the car back out again.

They can't (shouldn't) charge you extra - 2 days is 2 days after all. They really shouldn't be using someone else's credit card either. Ripe for a chargeback!

[martinbiz]

As above normally they want to see and bill the drivers card at the point of collection, I don’t think they can charge your mother anything as she was not the driver. Are you sure they didn’t use your mothers card just for the booking and then bill yours. Did you present a card when you collected the car?

[wong]

Perhaps it was booked to be picked up at 0800am, but was not picked up until 1100am. Thus return time is 0800am two days later.

[Nickyboy]

wong said:

Perhaps it was booked to be picked up at 0800am, but was not picked up until 1100am. Thus return time is 0800am two days later.

This is what it would rest on. I've never heard of a 2 day rental being anything less than 48 hours.

[stevemcs]

I've always understood a day is a 24 hour rental period, so hiring at 11am would mean its needed back by 11am 2 days later. Some give you an hours window, it sounds like they messed up and took it out on you. What does your hire agreement say ?

[bad company]

stevemcs said:

I've always understood a day is a 24 hour rental period, so hiring at 11am would mean its needed back by 11am 2 days later. Some give you an hours window, it sounds like they messed up and took it out on you. What does your hire agreement say ?

This.

Op you should have insisted the car was properly checked into the firm and a receipt issued. As it is they can easily find scratches/damage to charge you for.

[Chucklehead]

What did your contract say?

The charge for 48 hours would've likely been the same, but plenty of companies demand the car is back by the return time and can and do charge late fees if it isn't.

[scoey1001]

I think i am bang to rights here. On the bit of paper I signed it does say 8am to 8am on the rental times and 'actual pick up' as 11am. Thing is i was told by the mother in law to pick up at 11am and not told anything about return time. I should really have studied the paperwork more if I'm honest. She says she was never told about the 8am and I wasn't on collection but like I say I should have double checked everything.

Just wondered if he could automatically charge the card really without communicating first. And I did genuinely try and insist the car was checked there and then but they were having none of it. He did look around the car and check fuel but insisted he couldn't sign it off without giving it a wash which would be later that day. Didn't hear anything today so we wait and see if they ring me tomorrow.

[Camelot1971]

scoey1001 said:

I think i am bang to rights here. On the bit of paper I signed it does say 8am to 8am on the rental times and 'actual pick up' as 11am. Thing is i was told by the mother in law to pick up at 11am and not told anything about return time. I should really have studied the paperwork more if I'm honest. She says she was never told about the 8am and I wasn't on collection but like I say I should have double checked everything.

Just wondered if he could automatically charge the card really without communicating first. And I did genuinely try and insist the car was checked there and then but they were having none of it. He did look around the car and check fuel but insisted he couldn't sign it off without giving it a wash which would be later that day. Didn't hear anything today so we wait and see if they ring me tomorrow.

I think it's unlikely they will charge you - they just wanted the car back so they could rent it out again. Monday mornings are really busy for car rental branches.

[surveyor_101]

Camelot1971 said:

As a former car rental branch manager, I expect they planned their morning cars and expected you back first thing so they can send the car back out again.

They can't (shouldn't) charge you extra - 2 days is 2 days after all. They really shouldn't be using someone else's credit card either. Ripe for a chargeback!

Is that a policy thing that differs from firm to firm, nothing illegal but we both attended to the office to book to have the vehicle.

I have hired a van with my now ex mother-in-law to collect the brother in laws stuff, paid for the rental on her card I was the driver as she won't drive a 3.5tn lwb van (despite having a 7.5tn licence lol) and she doesn't like driving on motorways so about 50 miles is her limit.

I drove the van she came with me, all the way (that was fund around 230 miles).

[Camelot1971]

surveyor_101 said:

Camelot1971 said:

As a former car rental branch manager, I expect they planned their morning cars and expected you back first thing so they can send the car back out again.

They can't (shouldn't) charge you extra - 2 days is 2 days after all. They really shouldn't be using someone else's credit card either. Ripe for a chargeback!

Is that a policy thing that differs from firm to firm, nothing illegal but we both attended to the office to book to have the vehicle.

I have hired a van with my now ex mother-in-law to collect the brother in laws stuff, paid for the rental on her card I was the driver as she won't drive a 3.5tn lwb van (despite having a 7.5tn licence lol) and she doesn't like driving on motorways so about 50 miles is her limit.

I drove the van she came with me, all the way (that was fund around 230 miles).

It's not illegal however the driver and credit card details should match or the driver could be using a stolen card etc. If the driver disputes the charge, the first thing the credit card company will do is ask for the rental agreement. Different name = chargeback.

You can, of course, pay using a different card at the end of the rental if the card holder is present (i.e. chip and pin).

Each company will have their own rules but I've not come across one that allows the scenario you and the OP had.

[Petrus1983]

My car rentals state a pickup time and drop off time - it’s not a 24 hour rental as such, but if the time exceeds another 24 hours you get charged for another day. I’ve learnt to put it down as 24/48/72 hours after I pick the car up.

Eta - I had a day completely ruined once by someone not returning the car at the correct time. However, your margin seems very small.

[surveyor_101]

stevemcs said:

I've always understood a day is a 24 hour rental period, so hiring at 11am would mean its needed back by 11am 2 days later. Some give you an hours window, it sounds like they messed up and took it out on you. What does your hire agreement say ?

If you think about it that doesn't make sense, most people will want a car for a business day.

Most people will want the car from 8-9am so that will often be the rental start time.

The OP didn't read the agreement, its sounds like the was due back 8am which makes sense as 11am is too late for some customers to have the vehicle the next day.

Sounds like the company staff aren't professional and didnt explain that and also saying they will wash the vehicle and recheck is crap. Its on return inspection.

[stevemcs]

Whenever i've hired its always been 24 hours from when collected, they usually ask what time you would return the car buy.

[QBee]

Sorry to the car hire guy further up the page, but my personal rule is check everything and trust no-one where car hire companies are concerned.

Apart from reading the small print and checking when the car has to be returned, on collecting the car, ALWAYS spend a good ten minutes inspecting the car and checking the condition against the drawing on the forms you receive. Its amazing how many dents and scratches aren't shown on the form you signed on hiring, and for which you will get charged back later.
Last time I hired a car from one of the nationals at Edinburgh Airport, the Mondeo I hired was shown on the form as dent free, but actually was carrying no fewer than 8 battle scars. Yes, it delayed the start of our touring holiday by 3/4 of an hour while I argued the toss and got the form amended and signed by both of us, and put Erin Dawes, to whom I am related by marriage, in a foul mood all the way to Inverness, but it may well have saved me an amount equal to the cost of the holiday.

And remember, minor car body repairs don't cost £50, many apparently minor repairs cost ten times that.

[Camelot1971]

QBee said:

Sorry to the car hire guy further up the page, but my personal rule is check everything and trust no-one where car hire companies are concerned.

I (broadly) agree with this principle! If there is an excess to pay, then check the car properly. Of course, some rental companies are out to scam you but most aren't, and the people who check the cars are just as human and make mistakes as anyone.

Personally, I never worried too much about the odd scratch but larger dents and scratches, damaged trim etc, then yes, it was an issue. I always take full collision waiver whenever I rent, so I don't have to care about the checking. I've used most of the big names over the years and never had an issue.

I use Hertz these days (not my former employer!) because I love the #1 Gold service, especially in the US - such a joy to just go to the car, or pick any car in the block, and go!

[QBee]

Camelot1971 said:

QBee said:

Sorry to the car hire guy further up the page, but my personal rule is check everything and trust no-one where car hire companies are concerned.

I (broadly) agree with this principle! If there is an excess to pay, then check the car properly. Of course, some rental companies are out to scam you but most aren't, and the people who check the cars are just as human and make mistakes as anyone.

Personally, I never worried too much about the odd scratch but larger dents and scratches, damaged trim etc, then yes, it was an issue. I always take full collision waiver whenever I rent, so I don't have to care about the checking. I've used most of the big names over the years and never had an issue.

I use Hertz these days (not my former employer!) because I love the #1 Gold service, especially in the US - such a joy to just go to the car, or pick any car in the block, and go!

I don't hire often, so you are the expert.
My experience is also coloured by the fact I usually hire from airports.
Apart from the case i quoted, I also hired from Shannon Airport, from one of the big international hirers. I booked a really good deal in advance for an Astra for a week's holiday in Ireland, but was told on picking up the car that I needed to pay extra charges, which added 70% to the bill. The guy basically made it clear that if I didn't they would be going over the car with a microscope when i returned it. Knowing that I would be parking it in either the hotel car park or the streets of Westport, County Mayo (which I convinced my wife was the sandwich capital of Ireland - she believed me for at least three days and has never forgiven me for that one), I paid the extra and swore never to use that company again.

[scoey1001]

Op here, thanks for the input everyone. I haven't had a phonecall and nothing has been taken from the bank yesterday or today so I'm hoping they have reconsidered. Although they could always be sending a letter I suppose. Will keep the thread updated.