Hi Folks,
Hoping to get your thoughts on next best actions regarding a situation with a scooter rental company.
When signing over rental contracts, there was no point where we walked around the scooter, pointing out any damages that were pre-existing. There was also no choice of scooter, I asked for a Vespa, and that was that.
After signing off the standard rental contract, we waited outside curbside while an employee pulled up a Vespa.
Quick refresher on center stand operation, steering lock, and I'm off. Again, no industry-standard of walk around, nor documenting existing conditions. Severe lack of attention on my part, I normally make a video on my phone. My fault for sure.
Upon return of the scooter, the first thing an employee stated there was is new damage.
Dammit, okay, frankly I didn't pay attention nor notice it during my 24 hours, but I certainly didn't lay it down.
Upon review, damages look consistent with it being tipped over while stationary, about a 4x4" square of rash vertically on the left side of the scooter, and some on the seam of the top box. Consistent with my parking of backing up the rear tire to curb, and on the center stand, with steering locked to the left side. Merchant states that "they would never rent out a Vespa with damage".
The only time I can think of where this could have happened was street-parked during dinner. I've already revisited the shops where I parked in front of, to see if their security cameras caught anything (might not be working, just for show), and to inquire with the staff working that day if anyone reported a hit and run on the vespa. Made friends with the restaurant, and he's going to follow up with the patio owner on my behalf. This is all pending.
Beyond that, once they submit the estimate for repairs, I'm going to pass it off to my credit card resolutions team and have them sort it out with the merchant. I talked with my credit card company, and they said this was the best course of action--not to dispute the charge against $1,500 damage deposit, but to ask the merchant to follow up with documentation.
I understand how this looks for the merchant, and of course he's doing what he needs to do to protect his livelihood. And in the same breath, I'm just dotting my I's and crossing my T's to make sure that I'm not being taken advantage of.
Ultimately the responsibility for damages is likely mine, but something bugs me as their employees immediately jumped to the conclusion and accused me of being dishonest. I eventually calmed them down talking honestly and sternly. They never asked me to sign off any "I caused this damage" document either, which is wild considering how Enterprise asked me to sign and intial off a million documents in a similar situation years ago.
No, Visa's rental insurance does not cover scooter rentals, exotic cars, cargo vans/trucks..
If damages exceed my deductible on my insurance, I may push it off through them.
Just venting I suppose, I dont' think there's much more I can do at this point.
Hoping to get your thoughts on next best actions regarding a situation with a scooter rental company.
When signing over rental contracts, there was no point where we walked around the scooter, pointing out any damages that were pre-existing. There was also no choice of scooter, I asked for a Vespa, and that was that.
After signing off the standard rental contract, we waited outside curbside while an employee pulled up a Vespa.
Quick refresher on center stand operation, steering lock, and I'm off. Again, no industry-standard of walk around, nor documenting existing conditions. Severe lack of attention on my part, I normally make a video on my phone. My fault for sure.
Upon return of the scooter, the first thing an employee stated there was is new damage.
Dammit, okay, frankly I didn't pay attention nor notice it during my 24 hours, but I certainly didn't lay it down.
Upon review, damages look consistent with it being tipped over while stationary, about a 4x4" square of rash vertically on the left side of the scooter, and some on the seam of the top box. Consistent with my parking of backing up the rear tire to curb, and on the center stand, with steering locked to the left side. Merchant states that "they would never rent out a Vespa with damage".
The only time I can think of where this could have happened was street-parked during dinner. I've already revisited the shops where I parked in front of, to see if their security cameras caught anything (might not be working, just for show), and to inquire with the staff working that day if anyone reported a hit and run on the vespa. Made friends with the restaurant, and he's going to follow up with the patio owner on my behalf. This is all pending.
Beyond that, once they submit the estimate for repairs, I'm going to pass it off to my credit card resolutions team and have them sort it out with the merchant. I talked with my credit card company, and they said this was the best course of action--not to dispute the charge against $1,500 damage deposit, but to ask the merchant to follow up with documentation.
I understand how this looks for the merchant, and of course he's doing what he needs to do to protect his livelihood. And in the same breath, I'm just dotting my I's and crossing my T's to make sure that I'm not being taken advantage of.
Ultimately the responsibility for damages is likely mine, but something bugs me as their employees immediately jumped to the conclusion and accused me of being dishonest. I eventually calmed them down talking honestly and sternly. They never asked me to sign off any "I caused this damage" document either, which is wild considering how Enterprise asked me to sign and intial off a million documents in a similar situation years ago.
No, Visa's rental insurance does not cover scooter rentals, exotic cars, cargo vans/trucks..
If damages exceed my deductible on my insurance, I may push it off through them.
Just venting I suppose, I dont' think there's much more I can do at this point.
