Europcar Kerry Airport Ireland Ripoff
Jul 21st, 2011, 12:47 AM
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Europcar Kerry Airport Ireland Ripoff
In June of 2011, 4 of us picked up a car at Kerry airport. After finding out that Master Card Platinum does not provide Collision Damage Waiver coverage in Ireland (because of too many RIPOFFS????), I agreed to purchase Collision Damage Waiver insurance.
When I received my Capital One bill, I was shocked to see that my bill was $785.39 instead of the $189 I had been quoted by Priceline.com (of course I would have to add the cost of CDW , $177 for 7 days for a total of $366). After looking at my copy of the bill (It was so faint, I had to use a magnifying glass), I saw that I had not only been charge for CDW, but also for Super Collision Damage Waiver, plus Theft Protection Waiver!!! There was NEVER any discussion about the latter 2. I have filed a dispute with CapitalOne. Europcar has not answered any of my e-mails.
So, please beware of Europcar when in Ireland, and don't forget....MasterCard and Visa do not offer free CDW in Ireland (I wonder why)
When I received my Capital One bill, I was shocked to see that my bill was $785.39 instead of the $189 I had been quoted by Priceline.com (of course I would have to add the cost of CDW , $177 for 7 days for a total of $366). After looking at my copy of the bill (It was so faint, I had to use a magnifying glass), I saw that I had not only been charge for CDW, but also for Super Collision Damage Waiver, plus Theft Protection Waiver!!! There was NEVER any discussion about the latter 2. I have filed a dispute with CapitalOne. Europcar has not answered any of my e-mails.
So, please beware of Europcar when in Ireland, and don't forget....MasterCard and Visa do not offer free CDW in Ireland (I wonder why)
Jul 21st, 2011, 01:18 AM
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It is pretty well know on this forum that you can't use your credit card for insurance in Ireland. Why? Because there are just too many claims I suspect. Americans driving on the "wrong" side of the road on roads which are narrow and bounded by dry stone walls is a recipe for collision damage.
If you had come to this forum before your trip you would have found that out. The sales person almost certainly also mentioned the other insurances - you could read what you were agreeing to at the time, and you signed in agreement.
No use coming here with a first posting complaining about it now - you should have done your homework first, and failing that, have read what you were agreeing to before signing the contract.
If you had come to this forum before your trip you would have found that out. The sales person almost certainly also mentioned the other insurances - you could read what you were agreeing to at the time, and you signed in agreement.
No use coming here with a first posting complaining about it now - you should have done your homework first, and failing that, have read what you were agreeing to before signing the contract.
Jul 21st, 2011, 03:50 AM
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Another complaining newbie. I think I'm going to start a tally of people who go to Europe and return with complaints.
Do you have anything good to say about your trip or about Ireland??? Or is it just whine, whine, whine.
Do you have anything good to say about your trip or about Ireland??? Or is it just whine, whine, whine.
Jul 21st, 2011, 05:11 AM
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what is wrong with being a newbie ?
People that don't have experience in travelling ignore certain things that frequent travellers already know...
OP obviously didn't know that MC and VC don't offer free CDW in Ireland, and for the same reason didn't have a reason to check it out.
On the other hand everytime i am checking rates of european car rentals ( living in a EU coutry) i always get rates that iclude unlimited mileage, CDW etc.....No european CC would offer the CDW...
Does this have to do with the website recognizing the IP of the person that is checking rates? so that it gives other deals to people based in the US?
People that don't have experience in travelling ignore certain things that frequent travellers already know...
OP obviously didn't know that MC and VC don't offer free CDW in Ireland, and for the same reason didn't have a reason to check it out.
On the other hand everytime i am checking rates of european car rentals ( living in a EU coutry) i always get rates that iclude unlimited mileage, CDW etc.....No european CC would offer the CDW...
Does this have to do with the website recognizing the IP of the person that is checking rates? so that it gives other deals to people based in the US?
Jul 21st, 2011, 05:46 AM
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Clausar,
I think the concern is titling a post that implies Europcar is a rip-off...when it seems that the company was simply doing what it was required to do.
Was there some kind of miscommunication, misreading of terms,etc..?
I did a sample hire of car out of Kerry IR, and the pricing lists those extra insurance items, but says excluded from quoted cost.
Without research, not sure what that means..optional, a way to make cost look lower, CC dependant..?
I think the concern is titling a post that implies Europcar is a rip-off...when it seems that the company was simply doing what it was required to do.
Was there some kind of miscommunication, misreading of terms,etc..?
I did a sample hire of car out of Kerry IR, and the pricing lists those extra insurance items, but says excluded from quoted cost.
Without research, not sure what that means..optional, a way to make cost look lower, CC dependant..?
Jul 21st, 2011, 05:59 AM
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Nothing wrong with being a newbie - all of us were once. And nothing wrong with not knowing everything ahead of time - it's happened to me many times and not only when traveling.
The problem I have is coming back from a vacation and only having complaints. Having nothing positive to say about what should have been a lovely experience. No comments about seeing some great sights, friendly people, beautiful country, good beer, favorite places. Just complaints. It's difficult to understand that the OP could not say even one good thing about Ireland.
I particularly take issue with people who don't read the terms and conditions and then claim they have been wronged by the vendor or that the vendor participates in shady practices.
The problem I have is coming back from a vacation and only having complaints. Having nothing positive to say about what should have been a lovely experience. No comments about seeing some great sights, friendly people, beautiful country, good beer, favorite places. Just complaints. It's difficult to understand that the OP could not say even one good thing about Ireland.
I particularly take issue with people who don't read the terms and conditions and then claim they have been wronged by the vendor or that the vendor participates in shady practices.
Jul 21st, 2011, 07:26 AM
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Adrienne - I agree - the problem with this posting is that the OP did not read the terms and conditions of the insurance that, in my personal experience, I have always been required to "sign off" on. In fact, it appears he did not look at his bill until he returned home and got the charge on the credit card.
And I was a newbie once too - and found out early on that my credit card didn't cover "I" countries - Ireland, Italy, Israel - so I've had to suck it up and pay for the extra insurance in those countries in which I have traveled. Somehow I was always able to determine this amount before hand. Guess I'm just extra clever??
And I was a newbie once too - and found out early on that my credit card didn't cover "I" countries - Ireland, Italy, Israel - so I've had to suck it up and pay for the extra insurance in those countries in which I have traveled. Somehow I was always able to determine this amount before hand. Guess I'm just extra clever??
Jul 21st, 2011, 08:24 AM
#10
golfernst: You might not see this since you registered just to post your complaint and may not intend to participate on Fodors. . .
But <B>1)</B> you were not ripped off. You simply didn't do your homework. <B>2)</B> Has NOTHING whatever to do w/ Kerry Airport - it would have happened at any rental location. <B>3)</B> Disputing the charge seems silly since you signed the rental contract. <B>4)</B> be very happy you paid for the super CDW -very few cars are returned w/ no damage whatsoever. Small scratches, especially on wing mirrors and wheel covers, are almost impossible to avoid. So you probably would have been charged more than the cost of your top cover/super CDW. And <B>5)</B> Priceline really isn't a good option for Ireland (or most anywhere in Europe)
But like I said -- you may be off to post your complaint on other sites and we won't see you again.
But <B>1)</B> you were not ripped off. You simply didn't do your homework. <B>2)</B> Has NOTHING whatever to do w/ Kerry Airport - it would have happened at any rental location. <B>3)</B> Disputing the charge seems silly since you signed the rental contract. <B>4)</B> be very happy you paid for the super CDW -very few cars are returned w/ no damage whatsoever. Small scratches, especially on wing mirrors and wheel covers, are almost impossible to avoid. So you probably would have been charged more than the cost of your top cover/super CDW. And <B>5)</B> Priceline really isn't a good option for Ireland (or most anywhere in Europe)
But like I said -- you may be off to post your complaint on other sites and we won't see you again.
Jul 21st, 2011, 09:03 AM
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US credit cards do not cover insurance in Ireland since there is such a high incidence of accidents by Americans travleing there. (I suspect a combo of differnt side of the road driving, roads that are narrow and require greater driving skills than gigantic interstates and mall parking lots, older age of many tourists and spending a lot of time in pubs and then driving).
Jul 22nd, 2011, 05:43 AM
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Some US cards do cover Irish insurance but you would have to check with your individual card provider. People book through agencies because an agency quote can be 1/3 of the quote obtained from the Hire companies themselves...guess why??? because the agency will give a basic quote to get your business!!
Always ask for an ALL inclusive quote get the name of the end company and contact the end company and ask them if they can either match the quote or explain why the quote is so so so much lower than the figure they have given you. Also check the Fuel policy. some will charge for a full tank and then reimburse you when the car goes back full or charge 1 1/2 times the forecourt price for any they put in to refill for the next user. Others just let you take and return the car with the fuel as is. Toll's on the M50 are another question to cover if hiring from Dublin. I could go on for ever and not cover it all so just be careful and lucky.
Always ask for an ALL inclusive quote get the name of the end company and contact the end company and ask them if they can either match the quote or explain why the quote is so so so much lower than the figure they have given you. Also check the Fuel policy. some will charge for a full tank and then reimburse you when the car goes back full or charge 1 1/2 times the forecourt price for any they put in to refill for the next user. Others just let you take and return the car with the fuel as is. Toll's on the M50 are another question to cover if hiring from Dublin. I could go on for ever and not cover it all so just be careful and lucky.
Jul 22nd, 2011, 06:10 AM
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I think the take away from the experience is the differences in business practices between different countries as oppose to the particular company mentioned. Countries like Ireland allows companies to propose wide range of transaction terms and the consumers have the burden of understanding the implications of the terms written or not written (many third world countries.)
When I first traveled to Germany, the Hotel clerk thought I was idiot in asking what I needed to pay at check-out time. I was so used to paying 14-35% above the quoted room rate in the U.S. in dealing with pesky "...exta" fine prints and did not realize that in Germany what the hotel quoted was what I paid unless I used additional services.
When I first traveled to Germany, the Hotel clerk thought I was idiot in asking what I needed to pay at check-out time. I was so used to paying 14-35% above the quoted room rate in the U.S. in dealing with pesky "...exta" fine prints and did not realize that in Germany what the hotel quoted was what I paid unless I used additional services.
Jul 22nd, 2011, 06:20 AM
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As a regular contributor on many forums I am quite used to posts from people complaining about car hire. Some of these are regular contributors but many more are one hit wonders who just pick a company, any company and write either a glowing or slating review.
Any way on the subject of US cards and their insurance cover.
http://ireland.activeboard.com/t4377...entals-which-/
Any way on the subject of US cards and their insurance cover.
http://ireland.activeboard.com/t4377...entals-which-/
Jul 22nd, 2011, 07:30 AM
#16
"<i>Always ask for an ALL inclusive quote get the name of the end company and contact the end company and ask them if they can either match the quote or explain why the quote is so so so much lower than the figure they have given you.</i>"
Doesn't apply in the OP's case. They used Priceline so they paid up front,non-refundable, before they even knew the name of of the agency.
Doesn't apply in the OP's case. They used Priceline so they paid up front,non-refundable, before they even knew the name of of the agency.
Aug 2nd, 2011, 04:53 AM
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It has been my experience, that CDW is included in car rentals. SuperCDW takes care of the $1200 deductible. My intent was to warn people that Master Card does not provide CDW free in Ireland. My complaint with Europcar was that they never mentioned Super CDW, just charged me for it. The 3 people in front of me were all asked "Would you like an upgrade today?"
2 took the "offer", and left. The 3rd party asked "How much does the upgrade cost? "40 Euros per day" The other 2 didn't ask, they'll have a nice surprise. (I, and the person that asked the price, thought it was a free upgrade....)
Sure, the people in Ireland are friendly.....is that supposed to be unusual? Like people in America and other countries aren't? Janisj..totally WRONG I knew who the agency was,did not pay up front, and I could cancel anytime.
The car rental company(Not MasterCard) also converted my bill from Euros to dollars using 1.4976 when the rate was 1.43, making an extra 6%! I never said ALL car rentals, only Europcar, learn to read. PS I found out about this forum by asking about ripoffs by Europcar in Ireland.
2 took the "offer", and left. The 3rd party asked "How much does the upgrade cost? "40 Euros per day" The other 2 didn't ask, they'll have a nice surprise. (I, and the person that asked the price, thought it was a free upgrade....)
Sure, the people in Ireland are friendly.....is that supposed to be unusual? Like people in America and other countries aren't? Janisj..totally WRONG I knew who the agency was,did not pay up front, and I could cancel anytime.
The car rental company(Not MasterCard) also converted my bill from Euros to dollars using 1.4976 when the rate was 1.43, making an extra 6%! I never said ALL car rentals, only Europcar, learn to read. PS I found out about this forum by asking about ripoffs by Europcar in Ireland.
Aug 2nd, 2011, 05:05 AM
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Oh, and just one thing more....as we were attending a festival, sort of a large flea market, someone keyed (to scratch with a sharp object, such as a key) the whole side of our rental car. Probably NOT one of the friendly people.
