I had the worst rental car experience of my life at Sixt - Marseille.

My rental receipt flagged existing damage on the bumper, no big deal right? When I got back with the car five days later they claimed it was "different" damage and not part of the existing damage. Fortunately I had taken pictures at which point they backed down quickly (almost too easy, I could have taken those photos anytime and they didn't verify time stamps).

Then 3 days later I get an email that I'm being charged $100 for fueling, even though I brought the car back with a full tank, which was 1/4 tank more than what I rented it with. Currently fighting that one, I didn't take pictures of the gas gauge but I do have a receipt from a gas station down the road.

It feels like they have standards "scams" they run and figure some people will just pay up rather than fight them.

Sixt has always been solid with me.

The receipt should be enough for them to back down on the fuel charge.

Please keep us updated on your progress, pcanning; so glad you're not willing to 'pay up rather than fight them'. And thanks for the reminder to take those photos at the rental site.

Sixt, like most rental car agenies, are independently owned franchises, so unless Sixt enforces a ridgid standard, problems are bound to happen.

I have learned that franchise agencies are the most dangerous for renting cars. They consider each and every for their cars to be their precious little baby. Companny-owned agencies with mostly cars from the huge fleet of vehicles are much more relaxed.

However, I have encountered agencies that claim that the tank isn't full more than once, albeit usually with Hertz. They have always backed down when challenged.

for = of

The "tank not full" is becoming more and more common and with a variety of rental companies. We always keep the receipt and have had to produce on more than one occasion. And this even after the check in staff say, "Everything is just fine."
We also always take photos, but as mentioned they aren't date and time stamped, so am not sure how well they would stand up. Glad to hear they did in your case.

Specically on Sixt - have never used them, but have always read postive comments on them.

Photos are always date and time stamped (best if you reset the location if using a ditigal camera).

Lately, we've gone with the pre-pay fuel option and return the car with barely enough fuel to get it back to the drop-off point. It can save you a possible headache.

one time poster!

I always take the photos when I refuel before returning, getting a shot of the station in there, and always get a receipt. If you take a photo of the fuel gauge just make sure the odometer numbers are legible.

"one time poster!" Miss that!