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#Post#: 68342--------------------------------------------------
Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: tawnyess Date: April 23, 2025, 1:06 pm
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I had a long time rental vehicle which I have now returned. I
was given a final invoice on the day and told them I could not
afford this. We setup a payment plan and I went on my way. I had
then since asked a repair company called ChipsAway who I
provided the same invoice to, to see what their quotes were
like. Chipsaway were far cheaper than the rental company. I have
told the rental company I'd be happy to pay what ChipsAway have
quoted. They have threatened me with debt collection if I dont
pay original invoice.
Where do I stand here?
#Post#: 68345--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: andy_foster Date: April 23, 2025, 1:16 pm
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No idea.
#Post#: 68387--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: DrSatan Date: April 24, 2025, 2:23 am
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[quote author=tawnyess link=topic=6064.msg68342#msg68342
date=1745431577]
I had a long time rental vehicle which I have now returned. I
was given a final invoice on the day and told them I could not
afford this. We setup a payment plan and I went on my way. I had
then since asked a repair company called ChipsAway who I
provided the same invoice to, to see what their quotes were
like. Chipsaway were far cheaper than the rental company. I have
told the rental company I'd be happy to pay what ChipsAway have
quoted. They have threatened me with debt collection if I dont
pay original invoice.
Where do I stand here?
[/quote]
If the damage is your fault / liability then you need to pay an
amount to the rental company to make them whole.
The amount must not be unreasonable, but if they have a
preferred company to use then the amount is not unreasonable
merely because another company is cheaper.
#Post#: 68391--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: mickR Date: April 24, 2025, 2:57 am
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Chips Away are a "smart repairer" they usually operate mobile
and carry out repairs at you home.
There are restrictions to their capabilities compared to a
proper bodyshop. so comparison would depend on the type/severity
of the damage.
#Post#: 68392--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: mickR Date: April 24, 2025, 3:02 am
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that's not to say you haven't had your pants pulled down.
I used to do repairs for a branch of a national car rental
company. I can tell you their charges to the customer were
nothing short of extortionate.
#Post#: 68730--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: tawnyess Date: April 26, 2025, 3:15 am
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Does anyone know what the rental company can do legally ? They
have threatened with debt collection, what would be the process
they would take?
#Post#: 68731--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: DWMB2 Date: April 26, 2025, 3:21 am
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Debt collectors generally just send threatening letters.
They eventually give up, at which point the rental company may
choose to engage solicitors to seek to recover the money via
court. How much money are they seeking for the repairs?
Another potentially relevant factor, of which we currently know
nothing, is what your rental agreement says about repairs.
#Post#: 68834--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: The Slithy Tove Date: April 26, 2025, 1:14 pm
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What does the rental agreement say? Probably that they will get
any repairs needed at your expense. And they have the choice
over where to repair the car. It's inevitable that they will
have preferred suppliers which will be large, corporate bodies
with higher overheads and higher costs than a man-and-a-van
outfit. Also they won't attempt to drive a hard bargain as it's
not them paying. Inevitably, you'll always lose out. Unless
they're really taking the p*** (and it does happen), you
probably don't have a case.
You could attempt to say you'll repair it yourself, but they're
unlikely to agree (probably too late now anyway). And even if
they did, they would no doubt add a huge "inspection/indemnity
fee" to make sure the repair is up to scratch, leaving you no
better off.
#Post#: 68840--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: andy_foster Date: April 26, 2025, 1:39 pm
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The injured party has a duty to minimise their losses (which
they are seeking to recover from the other party).
It seems highly probable that the rental company could negotiate
a far better deal with a reputable supplier than the OP could -
although as the OP has seen fit not to trouble us with any
relevant details, I'm struggling to care.
#Post#: 69536--------------------------------------------------
Re: Dispute over rental vehicle damage cost
By: tawnyess Date: May 1, 2025, 6:01 am
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See attached rental agreement
[attachment deleted by admin]
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