Congestion charge and hire cars
Discussion
Over Christmas I had an Accident Exchange hire car while some work was done on mine.
I've just got a letter from them saying that they've received a congestion charge PCN for the 22nd Dec 06. It goes on to say that to prevent further charges, they've paid it and are invoicing me for the amount.
Nice of them to give me a chance to dispute, I thought, but fair enough, they can't have unpaid "debts" on their books.
What's really annoying is that they've charged me an extra £25 + VAT for "re-charge costs".
In the excitement before Christmas, I might have strayed into Red Ken's Retirement Fund Zone and that's not exactly Accident Exchanges fault.
What are my options? I'm tempted to send them a cheque for £50 (for the charge), since i think the £25 is unreasonable.
To put this in context, they will be claiming in excess of £8,000 from a third party insurance company for this car and I only had it for a month and a half....
I've just got a letter from them saying that they've received a congestion charge PCN for the 22nd Dec 06. It goes on to say that to prevent further charges, they've paid it and are invoicing me for the amount.
Nice of them to give me a chance to dispute, I thought, but fair enough, they can't have unpaid "debts" on their books.
What's really annoying is that they've charged me an extra £25 + VAT for "re-charge costs".
In the excitement before Christmas, I might have strayed into Red Ken's Retirement Fund Zone and that's not exactly Accident Exchanges fault.
What are my options? I'm tempted to send them a cheque for £50 (for the charge), since i think the £25 is unreasonable.
To put this in context, they will be claiming in excess of £8,000 from a third party insurance company for this car and I only had it for a month and a half....
997
Had it for 40 days and they can charge upto 257 per day + VAT....so it's well in excess of that. I'm in the wrong business......
Details here...
www.abi.org.uk/tphire/
then click on New maximum car hire settlement rates w.e.f 1 April 2006
Had it for 40 days and they can charge upto 257 per day + VAT....so it's well in excess of that. I'm in the wrong business......
Details here...
www.abi.org.uk/tphire/
then click on New maximum car hire settlement rates w.e.f 1 April 2006
Edited by 1jeb on Wednesday 10th January 17:01
I think its highly unreasonable, and perhaps a well worded letter reminding them of the recent court decision on bank charges might be worth a shot. Especially if you offer to pay a sum in line with bank charges (what is it, £10-12?) or ask them for proof that they employ really really expensive clerks.
Worth a shot, eh?
Worth a shot, eh?
I think it is different to the bank charges issue. Bank charge letters are, as I understand it, fully automated, so there is no real cost to the banks of sending the letter.
With the congestion charge letter I assume it is not fully automated as they don;t know which cars are going to get charged. So they have to identify the hirers on the day in question, invoice them, possibly chase them up. In the meantime they need to pay the charge so there are interest implications.
Personally I don;t think £25 is that unreasonable. When I had a lease car I was charged £25 admin for the congestion charge but got it refunded as the lease companys inefficiceny meant that I had no opportunity to pay the initial low charge before it doubled to £150!
With the congestion charge letter I assume it is not fully automated as they don;t know which cars are going to get charged. So they have to identify the hirers on the day in question, invoice them, possibly chase them up. In the meantime they need to pay the charge so there are interest implications.
Personally I don;t think £25 is that unreasonable. When I had a lease car I was charged £25 admin for the congestion charge but got it refunded as the lease companys inefficiceny meant that I had no opportunity to pay the initial low charge before it doubled to £150!
herewego said:
1jeb said:
Bump...
Does anyone else think £25 for sending a letter is unreasonable? Or should I just pay?
Does anyone else think £25 for sending a letter is unreasonable? Or should I just pay?
How much would it be costing if they hadn't paid it for you?
I think it would still be £50 (would have gone upto £100 on 19th). They are invoicing me for 50+ 25+VAT = £79.38
Thanks for the responses. It's difficult to be objective when you're annoyed!
I think I'll send them the £50 and point out that since I "gave" them 10 grands worth of business, they can shove their £25 + VAT "re-charge fee" up their @rse.
Just wondering if they'll take me to court over it and how much weight the flimsy T&Cs, that I scribbled my name on, carry.
1jeb said:
herewego said:
1jeb said:
Bump...
Does anyone else think £25 for sending a letter is unreasonable? Or should I just pay?
Does anyone else think £25 for sending a letter is unreasonable? Or should I just pay?
How much would it be costing if they hadn't paid it for you?
I think it would still be £50 (would have gone upto £100 on 19th). They are invoicing me for 50+ 25+VAT = £79.38
Thanks for the responses. It's difficult to be objective when you're annoyed!
I think I'll send them the £50 and point out that since I "gave" them 10 grands worth of business, they can shove their £25 + VAT "re-charge fee" up their @rse.
Just wondering if they'll take me to court over it and how much weight the flimsy T&Cs, that I scribbled my name on, carry.
Yes it's difficult, but I expect you're mostly annoyed with yourself aren't you? After all, wouldn't it have been only £8 if you'd paid on the day?
1jeb said:
tigger1 said:
Did you not see the big signpost with a C on it, signs saying you're about to enter a congestion charge zone etc etc?
Obviously not... i was probably too busy looking out for speed cameras...
Aha - you lie...if you'd said bus lane camera or red-light camera I'd have believed you...but speed camera, in a congestion charge zone, you're having a laugh!!
tigger1 said:
1jeb said:
tigger1 said:
Did you not see the big signpost with a C on it, signs saying you're about to enter a congestion charge zone etc etc?
Obviously not... i was probably too busy looking out for speed cameras...
Aha - you lie...if you'd said bus lane camera or red-light camera I'd have believed you...but speed camera, in a congestion charge zone, you're having a laugh!!
haha...there are speed cameras along the Embankment inside the zone. It's the only place you can actually get up some speed in central London. *shakes fist*
tigger1 said:
Did you not see the big signpost with a C on it, signs saying you're about to enter a congestion charge zone etc etc?
"Accidentally strayed", or "snook in hoping not to be spotted as you were *just* inside"?
"Accidentally strayed", or "snook in hoping not to be spotted as you were *just* inside"?
Ah, that's what it's for.... I thought it was a warning that there was a Cnut in charge.
1jeb said:
Just wondering if they'll take me to court over it and how much weight the flimsy T&Cs, that I scribbled my name on, carry.
Do the terms and conditions say that they charge an admin fee?
My hire company definitely does. I think you're bang to rights with noone to blame but yourself for straying into the zone in a hire car.
Pay them their money that you have agreed to pay them. Don't welch out on your agreement.
7db said:
1jeb said:
Just wondering if they'll take me to court over it and how much weight the flimsy T&Cs, that I scribbled my name on, carry.
Do the terms and conditions say that they charge an admin fee?
My hire company definitely does. I think you're bang to rights with noone to blame but yourself for straying into the zone in a hire car.
Pay them their money that you have agreed to pay them. Don't welch out on your agreement.
Homer Simpson said:
Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals... except the weasel.
You are correct and I will probably end up paying. Do you think £25 for sending a letter is reasonable though?
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