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Beware of Hertz Car Rental Iceland - KEF Airport

Beware of Hertz Car Rental Iceland - KEF Airport

Old Jul 8th, 2014, 03:30 PM
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Beware of Hertz Car Rental Iceland - KEF Airport

We just got back from Iceland and have wonderful trip except at the end when we returned our car to Hertz. We have rented cars all over the world and have never had an experience like this. When we first got the car they give you a sheet to sign saying that there is no damage. Then they tell you to look over the car and let them know if you see any damage. The car we got was fairly new and we did notice tar, dirt, and very small superficial marks along the bottom. We didn't think anything of it.

But when we returned we were inform that there was a small dent on the very bottom passenger side. When they pointed it out we told them that we did notice the scuff mark but you had to feel that there was a very small dent there. You could not even see it. They said that we must have caused the damage and insisted that we pay another $280. They said that we were lucky because we would have to pay a lot more if we had not taken out the insurance. We are 100% certain that the small dent was there when we took the car

So Hertz in Iceland give the car to the customer and makes you look it over for these sorts of things. You literally would have to feel the entire car and crawl on your hands and knees to find this extremely small dent. We are now disputing this but so far they are insisting that we pay the additional funds. We have put a hold on our credit card and are refusing.

How do we fight something like this? Posting such as these help. BTW....you will find very similar positing to this in Trip Advisor...concerning Hertz in Iceland. It seems that they have some sort of scam going.

Iceland is really advertising all over the states now to get people to come to Iceland. Again, we had a great trip but this incident at the end spoiled it for us. Someone in the Iceland travel agency or government should know about this. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 03:38 PM
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welcome to Fodors.

>>We are 100% certain that the small dent was there when we took the car
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 04:09 PM
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Sorry for you experience - don't think it's unique to Hertz (or Iceland)

We take tons of detailed photos of our rental cars when we pick them up, ensuring the date/time is on the photos. Sadly it's necessary now.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 05:07 PM
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When you get a rental car you make sure that every mark is indicated on the rental agreement. You also try everything (door locks, windshield wipers, turn signals, lights, gas tank cap, etc) to make sure it works before you leave the lot.

Pretend you're the pilot and copilot while someone else is outside the car:

Right turn signal - check
Left turn signal - check
Headlights - check

Twice we've had to get a different car because there was something wrong with it that made it unsafe.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 11:37 PM
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good advice from all.
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Old Jul 9th, 2014, 02:04 AM
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We do the same as Elizabeth_s and also mark anything we notice on the sheet.
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Old Jul 9th, 2014, 02:34 AM
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Why is it always a scam when something goes wrong? People never look to their own behaviour to see if they did or did not do something to cause the problem. The renter did not do their due diligence in checking the rental car even when offered the opportunity to do so. Why sign paperwork to say there is no damage if there is some?

In addition to the above advice, it is also advisable to check the inside of the vehicle eg any damage to seats and check the fuel gauge to make sure the tank is full if it is supposed to be delivered full, check the trunk, spare tyre etc.
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