Mods - I apologize if this does not belong here.

But I need some input from other owners...

Long story short, I had a minor bump a month ago. The girl decided to settle privately with me. Fast forward one month after all her delays, I find out it's a rental vehicle? The entire time she mentioned it was her monther's "lease". I don't know anyone who calls a rental car, a lease.

Her step-father comes into the picture. Thus far, he seems reasonable. He claims they had to return the rental car, and Enterprise charged them $300.

I prefer to be on the safe side and had asked for proof of the transaction. He took three days to reply, saying they prefer not to show me the receipt due to "sensitive" info like their credit card number. Also, he claims Enterprise had included the $300 damage charge to the total of the rental price. Thus, the receipt does not really show the $300 damage charge clearly.

Is it me, or does it sound like they're trying to make an extra $300 off of me. Since it was my fault, I'm more than happy to pay for it. But I'm not going to blindly send a check without verifying everything.

Who knows if he never mentioned it to Enterprise? Could he have gotten away with not taking responsibility for the damage?

Something does not feel right here. I will still demand proof that he paid $300 to Enterprise for the damages. I had also asked to speak to the rep at Enterprise. He still has not given that info.

Any thoughts?

 

without proof, no check. If teh car was a rental, either they used their own insurance (gieco, statefarm, allstate) or used the companys insurance (16 bucks a day, and if anything happens no money required). Both ways they would have to file a claim, if the companys was used, then zilch. If Gieco or allsate was involved, they would need to show you proof.

 

Thanks for the reply. I question why their insurance was not used, if he claims Enterprise charged them $300 for the scratches. Would that even be an option?

Again, I don't mind paying for the $300 charge, if Enterprise stuck the bill on them. But I'm no fool to send a check with verifying their story. After all... you never know who is out to make a buck off of you these days.

 

Did you guys swap insurance info? Or even a police report that ties you to this?

Hell couldnt you just walk away from this without any worries?

But yea, i wouldnt give them a cent without proof. Dont be a sucka.

 

We decided to settle this privately... no police report, no insurance info exchanged. She didn't seem to know what she was doing. So I asked to see her license and we exchanged phone numbers and addresses only.

I'm hoping her step-father is not crazy enough to come to my house... especially with my pregnant wife at home while I'm traveling these days. But this shouldn't be a concern.

Again, I won't pay until I see proof that Enteprise charged them $300.

 

I wouldn't pay without proof, either. I wonder if Enterprise could give you a printout or something of the damage without the rental amount or credit card number on it so you can see what they paid. You don't have the name of the rep, but do you know which location they used? Have you tried calling that location and telling them your problem and ask them if they can provide the proof you need to settle this? Sounds like the renters are not providing you with what you need, so you might have to be proactive and get the info yourself, if they'll give it to you. Who knows, maybe you'll call, describe the problem, and they'll say, "We never had this issue with this customer, I think you're being scammed."

 

Once again, enterprise would never charge 300 dollars, this is how it works

IF YOU BUY ENTERPRISE INSURANCE
the rentee must give 16 dollars or so a day for insurancee

IF YOU USE YOUR OWN INSURANCE
the rentee must get enterprise to charge the insurance company for damages.

PS your insurance is automaticly used if the rentee does not get the extra enterprise insurance.

 

you are being scammed. or maybe you aren't being scammed. but you are no longer obligated because: you agreed to settle the problem because you thought she had the capacity to enter into that agreement. apparently she did not. therefore there is no agreement. any other arrangements will now have to be settle in court because the incident is long over and one party was less than honest. that's the only way to resolve this. i suggest you contact them and let them know this is your plans, don't admit to anything further, and if they need anything, they have your address for process service.

don't feel bad. everyone is required to have insurance by law. and in many place, you use your own insurance to settle your own accidents even if it's your fault. you did what you could to do the right thing but the other party has now made it difficult to impossible. unless they produce a receipt with a $300 separate charge for damages to that particular car on that exact day, you don't owe them anything.

 

Nothing w/o proof. My mom got scared and paid a lady 200bucks after a door ding and the lady freaked out. Just be careful, and IF what they're saying is true, do the honorable thing

 

Enterprise would not throw a $300 bill at the customer.

Because one way or the other, you have to go through insurance.

1. Through Enterprise at a fee.

2. Your credit card.....most people go that route and skip the company fee. That's what I do.

End of story, that's how it works.

 

No proof/estimate = no check. Simple.

And they already lied to you once...

 

Thanks for the comments.

I definitely want to do the right thing and pay them back if Enterprise did charge them, since it was my fault. However, at the same time I do not want to be scammed.

It's just bothersome to have this drag on for a month now. As if I'm not busy enough these days.

I'm just hoping the guy isn't crazy enough to come to our house and harass us, especially when I'm traveling on business. Also, I just don't have the time or energy to deal with going to court if he sues me.

 

Me thinks he saw a guy with an '06 Acura, and thought he hit paydirt.
You're being scammed. If anything, you owe the money to Enterprises insurance company, definitely not this guy, though.

 

no proof, no check! kthxbye!

 

 

Tell them you've decided you want to let your insurance company handle this, so if they wish to pursue this, you'll need to send their rental bill/info to your insurance company for proof.

 

Dang. This is still ongoing? Wonder what the results were.

 

Make clear to them that you want to compensate them for the money they paid for the damage, not to just put money in their pocket. There is a difference. No proof, no payment.

 

Ok, so I'll continue this thread with today's post... any help from anyone would be appreciated

So in regards to my minor fender bender problem, the owners just refuse to provide proof that they were charged $300 from the rental company. They claim it's an invasion of their privacy and the rental company won't speak to me?

I'm about to give in and just send the money because I'm concerned about any backlash... especially if the guy is crazy enough to come to our house. I'm just concerned about my pregnant wife. I could care less, if I were still single.

I know I shouldn't be asking... but maybe one way to prove one part of their story is to check the vin history of that rental vehicle. Can anyone help with this?

vin: 1B3ES56C05D243100

2005 neon sxt

Thanks... also, I would prefer to avoid any court appearances also. They just won't make it easy. I WANT to pay them back... but just need some proof that they're not scamming me. Is that too much to ask???

 

It is. It sounds like you don't owe them anything, but you FEEL you do. You should let go of that feeling. If they were hurting from having to pay that $300 they would've INVENTED a receipt by now. If you give in, what's to say that'll be the end of it? Just tell them you need clear and aboslute proof of that charge seperate from anything else otherwise you don't owe them anything. Hell, Enterprise can print another receipt/invoice for them that does NOT show their CC#. P;us you already have their addy, so that's not "sensitive" info. IF you REALLY want to part with $300, I have an MGB roadster that I'm restoring, and it needs parts!

 

^^^.
Acura Sensei, you don't owe anyone anything else.
And you know where they live if they keep BS'ing you...

 

They can make a copy of the itemized invoice and use a black marker to obscure the CC# and any other "sensitive/private" info. This is sounding more and more like a scam. I wouldn't give them anything without some proof of payment.

 

Not sure if you resloved this yet but alot of people has good ideas. What I would do is contact Enterprise and find out info how the whole insurence process work and what happans if a car gets returned with damage ( dont know the extent of the damage ) what the cost will be. Also ask if they provide itemize recipts ( which most major company offer so this sounds a little fishy ). After knowing this information contact them and request a final time for proof about the $300 cost. Im hard pressed to belive them having an rental and paying $300 for damages if it wasnt a major accident without somesort of coverage via, insurance, Enterprise daily coverage, or Visa/master card. While talking to this family express how you like to reslove this ASAP and you will like to play ball only if they show you proof of the $300 charge. But remember to also say if they cant produce the proof your not willing to pay, and if they still want to be compensaed they have to make an claim and them you to court. Dont forget to record this conversation over the phone show it show proof you did everthing in your power you tried to make things right. Lastly the girl lied to you and said it was an lease. That is some bull. Im sure the girl knew it was an rental if not she is one dumb girl.

I understand you dont want some crazy creep coming over to your house and bothering your family but its your call. This smells like a scam so I would not play ball with these folks. Talk if over with the wife and go from there. I would stick it too these peeps and teah them a lesson, and tell em "you messed witht eh wrong TL owner!" Good luck

 

Hi guys,
Sorry for the delay in providing an update, I've been caught up at work and with the holidays... but I have great news!

I finally found time to put on my detective hat and get to the bottom of things. I did exactly as Bob289 had suggested. I was being scammed! Now that I know, I finally sent an email to them stating that I'm aware of the situation and this matter is now closed. I had also asked for them not to contact me any further.

I was able to get in touch with Enterprise, and they were more than happy to speak with me. The owner of the branch which owned the vehicle, had no recollection or records of ever charging them for any damages. The scratches were so minor without body damage, that they didn't even bother to make a report. He had also referred me to their corporate offices that deal with claims, and there were no damage claims ever made. Apparently, they were trying to scam me to get the money to pay for the extra time that they had rented. How disappointing, since the mother sounded so legitimate.

Now that I think about it, they were basically trying to pull all the stops to get sympathy... like their mother passing away, etc... etc. It's sad, how people try to scam others like this. I know for me, it was a lesson to always be cautious. Luckily, I followed my instincts and I kept everyone's comments in the back of my mind. For a minute, I almost folded and was thinking about sending a check like a fool. This was mainly because my pregnant wife and I are just so stressed these days and I didn't want to deal with this situation any longer.

In the end, the truth is revealed through caution and persistent digging. I just hope they are not crazy enough to come to our house and harass us. It just makes me nervous because my wife is 6 months pregnant.

Thanks again guys. Finally, this matter is closed. I just have to keep my eyes open for any strange people watching our house. There are some crazy folks out there these days.

Sorry for the long post. Now I can focus on the holidays and wait anxiously for my little baby girl to come along.

By the way, luckily the minor damage was on our old cl and not our new tl!
Happy holidays everyone!

-D

 

Great news! I'm proud that you didn't fold; it sounded like you were on the verge of letting these crooks win. Enjoy the holidays!

 

I wouldnt worry about them coming after you, not like it was THEIR car that you hit.

They lose nothing out of this. Im sure they will just move on.

 

Almost... but my procrastination also helped to delay my urge to send a check.

We just didn't want any trouble, especially if the situation was legit and they took us to court. Or, if they were crazy and came after us. The last thing I wanted was some psycho hurting my family and then I'd really regret not sending a few hundred.

I also had the idea of making them sign a statement that this matter would end upon receiving my check. But they would have probably disagreed to signing such a statement. Besides, not sure if that would even help.

At least it's over without any legal problems.

 

It was so pathetic, they tried to pin it on me that they had to rent longer than they had to. I said, how is it my responsibility when it was their decision to rent the car longer. Besides, they had never disclosed the fact that it was a rental car. It's just sad how people can be such crooks.