The Shadow
Dear Readers: Here are more RENTAL-CAR RESPONSES from readers commenting on the column where a reader had to pay for damage to the roof of a rental car. The renter said she didn’t do the damage, but the company still held her responsible.
* Fred T., via email, says: “We had a similar problem. A day after renting a car, I noticed a dent on the back fender near the taillight. I knew we didn’t cause this to happen, and after looking carefully I could see rust on the exposed area and a cracked lens cover. I took several photos for documentation. We fretted and worried the remainder of our vacation. Upon returning the car, we were notified of the damage and that we would be billed. I said we didn’t do it and explained (with no mention of the photos). She left for a few minutes and returned with the same answer. I stood strong and asked her to go check on the car’s rental record. Lo and behold, this time she found that this damage was listed from a previous renter.”
* Pati, via email, says: “As most people have to have a credit card to rent a car, they should be aware that many credit-card companies will provide insurance for damage as part of renting the car with the card. This is unknown by many, and car-rental companies will not tell you, as they want to sell insurance to make money.”
* Suzanne Cook of Prescott, Ariz., says: “The same thing happened to me, and I was livid. I did some research and found that this is similar to a scam. I challenged the ‘bill,’ using advice I found on several different websites. It also helped that I had a witness. I copied that state’s attorney general’s office and asked for an investigation into the charge. Shortly thereafter, the company backed off and retracted the charge.”
* Alan Pressman of Old Bridge, N.J., says: “I would contact customer service at the company’s main offices, explain the situation and seek resolution from there since she states that neither she nor the rental agent at origin checked the roof of the vehicle at the time of the rental. You also can check with your credit-card company and personal car insurance for reimbursement possibilities.”
Seems this is more common than many are aware of. — Heloise
P.S.: Visit my website, www. Heloise.com, for direct links to my Facebook and Twitter pages.
PLASTIC FOOD-STORAGE CONTAINERS
Dear Heloise: My husband wanted to throw out the plastic food-storage containers I had with red/orange stains from foods containing tomatoes. The stains from chili, spaghetti sauce, soups, etc., did not wash out with dish detergent. I rinsed out the containers, sprinkled baking soda on the bottoms and sides and scrubbed using the rough side of the scrubbing sponge. I repeated it, if necessary. The dishware came out lovely as can be, and now we are both happy. — Wendy S., Vancouver, Wash.
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise(at)Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
(c)2012 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
