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Also avoid tiny rental car companies for this same reason. You'll find them listed on the major travel booking websites and they'll have names that you've never

Also avoid tiny rental car companies for this same reason. You'll find them listed on the major travel booking websites and they'll have names that you've never heard of. They often appear to be cheaper than the large rental companies, but they frequently have a chipped windshield or a tiny dent in a body panel. Even if you point it out during the pre-rental walkaround, they won't mark it on the contract. That's the scam. Then when you return they charge you for a new windshield or a body panel/paint job, which of course they never actual have done because they want to scam the next person too. Yes, you rented your car with your VISA and VISA will cover these charges eventually (takes about 3 months and you're on the hook for the charge for that time, and you'll never get the hours back that you spend sorting it all out). You could say that you could just make sure all damage is marked before you sign the contract, and that's good advice at any rental agency, but it's still better to pay a little more up front to one of the major car rental companies who make their money on actually renting you a car instead of the company trying to find a way to scam you out of an additional $1000+.

oarsinsync 7y ago
Take a slow motion video inspecting the car at the start of the rental. I've supplied screenshots from the video, along with the full video itself, to my credit card company when disputing charges from the rental company. Took about an hour of my time, and a few weeks later the charge was reversed. > you're on the hook for the charge for that time I'm not really sure I consider having some of my credit blocked out while the charge is disputed, as being the same as being on the hook for the charge. The credit is essentially in escrow until a decision gets made, but it definitely hasn't impacted my bank balance in any way.
- imglorp 7y ago
  So is that what it's come down to for ABnB users? Record everything and CYA for an adversarial relationship? Corporate really needs to step up here and enforce its rules and empower its rating system to drive this out. Otherwise it's not worth my energy to use the platform.
  - r00fus 7y ago
    Seriously, aint nobody got time for that. I'm not playing that game.
- bonestamp2 7y ago
  > The credit is essentially in escrow until a decision gets made, but it definitely hasn't impacted my bank balance in any way. That's perfect, but I guess our mileage may vary. I was charged the amount and VISA later credited it when everything was resolved (about 3 months start to finish). I didn't miss the $1300, but I'm sure it would be a concern to some. I carry a small bright flashlight in my work bag now, just for dark airport garages where rental cars are often parked. I've never had a problem with a major agency but I don't need a first.

oarsinsync 7y ago

Take a slow motion video inspecting the car at the start of the rental. I've supplied screenshots from the video, along with the full video itself, to my credit card company when disputing charges from the rental company. Took about an hour of my time, and a few weeks later the charge was reversed. > you're on the hook for the charge for that time I'm not really sure I consider having some of my credit blocked out while the charge is disputed, as being the same as being on the hook for the charge. The credit is essentially in escrow until a decision gets made, but it definitely hasn't impacted my bank balance in any way.

imglorp 7y ago
So is that what it's come down to for ABnB users? Record everything and CYA for an adversarial relationship? Corporate really needs to step up here and enforce its rules and empower its rating system to drive this out. Otherwise it's not worth my energy to use the platform.
- r00fus 7y ago
  Seriously, aint nobody got time for that. I'm not playing that game.
bonestamp2 7y ago
> The credit is essentially in escrow until a decision gets made, but it definitely hasn't impacted my bank balance in any way. That's perfect, but I guess our mileage may vary. I was charged the amount and VISA later credited it when everything was resolved (about 3 months start to finish). I didn't miss the $1300, but I'm sure it would be a concern to some. I carry a small bright flashlight in my work bag now, just for dark airport garages where rental cars are often parked. I've never had a problem with a major agency but I don't need a first.