Most Common Scams of Rental Cars You Need to Guard Against
When on vacation, the idea of renting a car is always a bit on the grey side. It often feels like a bit of a gamble as to what kind of car and service you are getting for your money, making it easy to be taken advantage of or scammed by unscrupulous characters. But at Rent a Car Skopje, you can get the best deal possible without ever having to worry about getting scammed.
But still, it’s pretty common to see in many places in Europe or Asia tourists are often scammed by fake rental agencies or real ones, but with lots and lots of twists which will only put you in a really bad mood and, even worse, an even more expensive situation. Here are some of the most common scams you should be aware of and guard against when renting a car.
The “Gas Deposit” Scam
Picture this: You come in to pick up your rental car, and you’re asked to pay a “gas deposit” in advance. This is usually so that you don’t need to fill the tank when returning it – however, this is an absolute scam. Any legitimate rental company will never ask for a gas deposit at all. You can simply fill the tank up before returning it, and you’ll be good to go. Keep in mind that few rental companies will even offer full-to-full fuel policies, which are when you fill the tank up when picking up the car and then return it with a full tank.
The “Unexpected Fee” Scam
This is a classic rental car scam, where companies will try to add unexpected fees for additional drivers or insurance once you arrive at your destination. They may tell you these are mandatory charges, and you must pay them to get the car. However, this is not true – most rental companies openly advertise their fees for additional drivers and insurance on their websites. So be sure to check in advance what you will be charged before arrival.
The Damaged Car Scam
It’s a must for the rental company to check and show every bit of the car for any damages before you take it off their lot. However, some rental companies will try to scam you by not properly noting down any pre-existing damage to the car and then charging you for them when you return it. To avoid this, take pictures of the car when picking it up and document every scratch and dent they don’t show. That way, if you are charged for damages that were present when you picked up the car, you have evidence to back yourself up.
Scams are everywhere. They prey on tourists who don’t know better, so make sure to do your research before renting a car and always ask questions if anything seems off. Never let anyone pressure you into paying for something you didn’t agree with or aren’t familiar with.…
Most car rentals will give you several options for almost the same category of vehicles. You may have a chance to choose SUVs, mini cars, convertibles, and so on. It is critical first to identify what you need is, so you make a great choice. You also need to consider other factors. These include the weather, the condition of the roads on which you intend to drive, and so on.
The size of the rental car is crucial when hiring, and it depends on your needs, for example, if you have luggage or have several people with you, a big car would be better. Large cars also give a sense of security compared to small ones.