Renting a car is never a straightforward thing. It’s always so painful as hidden charges rear their heads and dents that were there when you drove off suddenly get blamed on you. It can turn a vacation into a serious headache. One driver recently became embroiled in a fight with Avis as he returned a car to Sacramento International Airport.
The rental company argued that there was the odor of marijuana and a burn mark on the upholstery that wasn’t there before the car left the airport before. This resulted in a $250 cleaning fee for the driver who maintains that it wasn’t them.
A Smelly Interior Situation
Gary Mullen-Schultz originally picked up the car from the Avis counter in Sacramento. While his experience started in a very normal manner, quickly it started to go bad. The smell of weed started to emanate from the cabin as he drove. But unfortunately for Mullen-Schultz, he wasn’t able to turn back and get a replacement. Instead, he had to roll the window down and continue on his journey.
His six days with the car followed a similar pattern. And while this seems farfetched, he maintains that he didn’t smoke and was the only one to use the car.
The $250 Surprise Bill
At the end of his time with the car, he turned over the keys to a disappointed Avis representative. But after a conversation with them about what happened, they waved this off as an issue with the car and left it at that.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t reflected in the bill that was waiting for him when he returned home. Avis sent him a $250 invoice for the deep clean the car received as well as the repairs to the upholstery that he hadn’t been aware of. And while he fought back, Avis eventually won with Mullen-Schultz paying the invoice.
Consumer Advocates Weigh In
Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott commented on what had happened as he sided with the driver who was now a fair few bills poorer:
“You should never have been given a car in that condition, and you should not have been billed for cleaning it up.
“Car rental companies regularly impose steep cleaning fees for smoke, pets, and spills. I don’t have a problem with that when the damage actually happens during your rental. After all, renters agree to accept responsibility for the vehicle when they are renting it.”
How to Protect Yourself at the Rental Counter
So, what is the ultimate takeaway for everyday drivers looking to avoid a massive post-trip credit card charge? Never trust the rental agency’s baseline inspection.
Before you even put the car in drive, use your smartphone to take a comprehensive, well-lit video or a barrage of timestamped photos of the interior and exterior. Document every single scratch, stain, tear, and weird smell with an attendant before you leave the property. If you have undeniable proof of the pre-existing mess, you won’t end up footing the bill for the last driver’s bad habits. Mullen-Schultz is continuing his fight, but has little evidence to support his claims.
