My husband and I were in Costa Rica for a week and decided to rent a car from Payless for a few days. On our way from San Jose to La Fortuna our car broke down on the side of the road. It just stalled and then wouldn't start again. It was nothing that we did. Now the company has charged us 2500 dollars for repairs to the car, stating that our full coverage insurance that we had purchased did not cover negligence. They are blaming us for the bad car that they gave us, and now our checking account has 2500 dollars less in it. This charge was not there when we checked out with them, but it was there today. My husband has argued with them all day, but it just feels like there is nothing we can do. They say we were irresponsible with the car causing damage to the engine, which the full coverage insurance does not cover. They have not proof of this, but we have no proof either. Is there anything we can do?
2007-10-30 15:47:59 · 6 answers · asked by pwone mwahu 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
If this charge was on a credit card, or a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo, contact your bank to dispute the charges! Unless they can prove the charge was valid, the money will be returned!
2007-10-30 15:52:56 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you used a Visa credit or debit card then you have the right to dispute the charges. Sadly, this is a common scam used out-of-country on a regular basis. To late for this advice now but I have heard that you always use a credit card with a 'fixed limit' (say, $500) or a debit card through a seperate account with only about $500 in it. You still get screwed, only not nearly as painful.
2007-10-30 16:54:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Contact the corporate offices of Pay Less in Florida and record a complaint. They might be of help. If not,
Call or write to the United States Attorney General. Pay Less is an American company and does business here as well as foreign countries. Explain your case and let the US Government put pressure on them. You have been cheated and deserve a break. If they don't help you, file a grievance with the Costa Rica consulate in Washington. Make sure these vipers who robbed you know you mean business. This will take time but I'll bet you can win in the end. Look at these links. I hope I've helped.
2007-10-30 16:05:46 · answer #3 · answered by ToolManJobber 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, your MAJOR problem, is that you're dealing with another country. So in order to fight this, you're talking about hiring a lawyer there, and taking it to court. Do you have a copy of the contract? What does it say about mechanical breakdown?
Do I think you'll win? Yes, likely. Do I think you'll get $2500 back? Yes. Will it cost you more than $2500 to get your $2500 back? Yes.
In other words, it's going to cost more than you're going to get out of it.
Just another tourist ripoff scheme, I'm afraid. Next time, use Hertz. It costs more, but they won't rip you off.
2007-10-31 02:48:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
dispute charge with bank ASAP
2007-10-30 15:58:09 · answer #5 · answered by koma 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I have no idea but it sounds like a scam! I am sooo sorry!
2007-10-30 15:51:30 · answer #6 · answered by OhiosGirl 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋