Is fuel deposit element of car rental something I could get refunded through Small Claims Court.

22-12-2021 2:21pm #1

The fuel deposit was never refended to me and stands at €91.85.

There is no dispute that they should refund this to me but Customer Services are atrocious and just keep promising to call me back or blaming the credit card company or claiming that it has been refunded or that they have to speak to their manager.

Credit Card company won't do chargeback and say I authorized the car rental companyt to deduct amounts and I must chase the issue with the rental company.

As it has been 3 months and multiple long distance calls to their support hotline I am running out of patience and want to take it to a higher authority.

I retained the receipt for the Petrol I bought to leave the car back full of fuel.

Is this something I can bring to the SCC. I understand certain parts of a rental agreement are not covered by SCC but is fuel deposit one element where they have jurisdiction.

The Car Rental Company is a Franchisee in Dublin.

whomitconcerns · 22-12-2021 10:52pm

Did you bring back the car with a full tank? Have you actually been charged the amount or have they just not released the hold on the amount?

Not sure what the reference about long distance phone calls is, if the company is in Dublin.

I would think this is not for scc. But will leave that to someone else

23-12-2021 12:28am

it isn't "held". It has been taken since 3 months and pursuing it since then hasn't been going anywhere.

Car was full. There is no dispute about that. I have receipt and picture of fuel gauge on return and they haven't even tried to claim that it was returned less than full.

I'm just stuck in Customer Service hell where nobody is empowered to issue a refund and more often than not the phone line will be cut after 5 minutes being put on hold.

23-12-2021 12:42am

How'd you pay? credit card? get onto them and organise a chargeback might be an option.

23-12-2021 12:45am

Credit Card company refuses to do chargeback and say my issue is with the Rental company. I agree the issue is with Rental Company but point of Credit Card exists to protect me from this sort of stuff. Still considering cancelling the card as I have another credit card.

My question remains about SCC? Can I use it?

Odelay · 23-12-2021 1:13am

I think cancelling the credit card will make the process of returning the funds more complicated? If you do get to that stage.

Peregrinus · 23-12-2021 1:36am

I don't see why you couldn't use the small claims procedure. This is a claim "in relation to a consumer contract, by the consumer against the vendor in respect of any goods or service purchased". Your claim specifically is that you have been overcharged for the service provided (which was the short-term use of a car).

L1011 · 23-12-2021 9:15am

The effort involved in Small Claims to reclaim €66.85 (the €25 fee is a dead loss in domestic small claims - it can be claimed in European ones) isn't worth it.

Odelay · 23-12-2021 9:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118364765#Comment_118364765

but the satisfaction might just be worth it?

listermint · 23-12-2021 9:50am

Do you live in Dublin? What about turning up at the desk and get it sorted in person. It's easy to fob off over the phone. Not so simple face to face

23-12-2021 2:27pm

I can only visit the Rental outlet while passing through the airport as I do not live in Ireland. I acknowledge 25 euro cost.

L1011 · 24-12-2021 10:26am

If you do not live in Ireland you'll have to use European Small Claims from where you do.

mct1 · 24-12-2021 10:57am

Do you have any email correspondance? If so that should help your case with the CC company. If you can prove you've made considerable efforts to get your refund they should definitely reconsider. But if they don't...

...In this house we have a policy of dealing with any consumer issues or complaints via email only. That way you have a full and undisputed record of what is said. I wouldn't leave it there if I were you. Email the car hire firm, find out who deals with complaints, be polite but assertive. Tell them your patience is wearing thin and give them 7 days to issue the refund before you contact head office/ company directors (info via Google). And definitely carry through on this if you have to. You have right on your side!

Is fuel deposit element of car rental something I could get refunded through Small Claims Court.

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