Dishonest ************

Seems like its been a trend for Europcar to shove their damages on the car to an unsuspecting victim. I too got caught up with this ****. Unfortunately they won't admit it. Customers and employees of Europcar is suppose to do the inspection together the moment the keys are handed over to the customer.

They later on tell you to sign the report stating that there wasn't any damage in the first place. So us as customers, we are liable.

Below is my attempt in explaining myself but there will be multiple other reps sending me the same debt collection email.

"Hi Nthabiseng,

Thank you for your call.

As I've explained telephonically, because the system was down the time I went to collect the car rental. There was a lot of uncer*****y regarding the amount of deposit that I had to pay since Europcar have not dealt with TalkSure before. We came to a verbal agreement that I were to first pay R1,800 in cash for the time being and I'll be informed of the correct amount the following day.

We drove with the same said car to Loch Logan Waterfront to withdraw cash from an ATM since that was the closest to the branch. The driver dropped me off by the boom gate since both of us didn't have money to pay for parking ticket. The time I came out, the car was already parked on the left-hand side of the road but at the most unusual spot, I had paid no attention to it. We drove back to the branch and the keys were handed to me after signing off some paperwork. I got into the car and drove back home. Up to this point, the car was not inspected. This was my first time renting a car so I wouldn't know what the procedure is. I am later told by friends and family that an inspection is mandatory before handing the key over regardless of the situation.

The following day, I called in to find out how much was the actual amount I had to pay, it was R2,100 if I'm not mistaken. I drove into the branch, the inspection was only then conducted and the front left bumper had a scratch. We have no reason to believe that the scratch was made by us and cannot accept that we are held liable for it. I spoken very frankly to the gentleman but I was told to sign the damage report slip or something similar to state that no damage was on the car, but in fact there was.

In two days time, I went to Johannesburg and on the road between Ventersburg and Kroonstad, I hit something on the road during the night. It was inevitable since I only had a split second to react to something that was so far left of my vision during the dark. Is there some way of claiming for damages from the Department of Road Safety? If not, I'll be more than willing to admit that scratch was made by me and I'll pay for that part only for the damage.

Your unbiased opinion would be greatly appreciated in this regard.

Kind regards Kaven"

Let this be heard to everyone wanting to rent a car. Do the inspection with them the moment you get the keys.