Sixt car rental gone wrong

Check the car carefully before your leave with it and when you return it. Note any existing damage on the rental agreement.

Laurie: From your subject line, it sounds like this has already happened to you, that you've already been charged for damages on a car you rented? If so, the first reply is good advice but won't help you now (unless you did it). Maybe you can clarify this for us?

"Is there anything we can do to avoid the charges?" . . . . . . . . Avoid rental cars. Next time, use the train.

Laurie, could you clarify whether you've already been charged for damage by the rental firm? If this has already occurred, you'll be limited by the terms of the rental agreement and options that you chose at the time. ¶ I normally buy the best CDW package from the rental agency, and therefore haven't had any problems so far with charges for minor damage.

If the damages occurred during the period of your rental contract, you're responsible, whether or not you were at fault. And if the damage wasn't noted on the rental contract BEFORE you accepted the car, you'll have a hard time proving that it was pre-existing. Bottom line: you're probably stuck this time. Next time, do as Ken says and buy "super CDW" protection.

Thanks for all the replies. In the pre-contract it was noted on all dings and scratches, however they have still decided to charge us. I have resent the pre contract with the dings and scratches noted and hopefully Sixt will honor what their representative noted. Waiting on a reply

Laurie - if you have evidence like that, you should notify your credit card company that you're disputing the charge, and send them your documentation.

My technique is to photograph any damage when I pick up the car, then photograph the car when I drop it off. My digital photos have a time stamp and can help prove either damage was there before I drove it or wasn't there when I dropped it off.

"Is there anything we can do to avoid the charges?" . . . . . . . . Avoid rental cars. Next time, use the train."

Is there anything we can do to avoid the con artists and pickpockets around train stations?............... Avoid trains, use rental cars.

Here! Here! Roy!! Good one!

I am very happy to say, after Sixt reviewed our original sign out sheet (we had to scan it to them), they have decided to drop the charges. Apparently the damages were not logged into their system. Thank God we saved our orginal paperwork. Thanks to everyone for their replies!

Right on Roy!!!

Like it Roy!! ROFL!

"Is there anything we can do to avoid the con artists and pickpockets..."

Isn't that the definition of car rental agencies...con artists and pickpockets???

This is why a number of travelers take photos of their rental at pick-up and drop-off. Probably wouldn't hurt to photograph the paperwork either in case you did lose it. Glad to hear they backed off!

I use the train & money belts to avoid both cons, which is just my personal preference. So far, so good!

I have had the car rental agent try to wave me off and say it was OK, when I tried to drag them out to inspect the vehicle before and after the rental period. No, it is not OK. Make them walk around the car and note every single tiny scratch and blemish, especially before you rent. I especially did this when Sixt gave me a brand spanking new C Class Mercedes that I was not expecting to get the keys to. Sixt will also put a hold on a very large sum of money on your credit card for a couple of months after your rental contract ends. I had to call them to get this released. Purchase all the insurance and insurance upgrades that the rental agency offers. Better safe than sorry!

I like to rent from AutoEurope when they have an option of deductibles included.

In any case, photographing the car is a good thing to do. Many airports have remote parking lots. I always take the extra 20 min to double check the car, so there if anything is missing, I can simply go back and ask them to add the info.