RS ZWEI

Mark, Id ask them for photos of proof to prove that the last person to hire the car didnt do the damage. If they cant they shouldnt be pointing the finger at you.

996tnz

Gets my vote too. If they can't provide proof of adequate inspection prior to releasing the vehicle to Jo then they'd also look even worse if it went to air. While the damage looks to be only cosmetic, proof of inspection would at least show they took reasonable steps to provide a safe and defect free vehicle. I don't know if their obligations on that front stretch as far as a fiduciary duty of care but it wouldn't hurt to bring it up. I once hired a truck and got a hell of a shock when the brakes locked up at the first judder bar in their yard - 5% pedal gave 100% lockup, like an on-off switch. Lucky it didn't happen later at an intersection. They just swapped the truck without commenting.

The insurance ombudsman may be another front you could open up.

Like you, I record the condition of rental vehicles before touching them (phone video walkaround) but I'll up my paranoia and start poking it underneath too now.

Bit of a downer on your return but I'm sure you'll prevail. In honour of your european trip we could always go all french truckie on them and barricade their yard with porsches....

Macca

Guys, thanks for all the ideas. Some really valuable feedback here and a number I had not thought to explore such as travel insurance etc. We will also definitely be asking them for pre pick up photos (date stamped) to show the car underneath before we took it...

Really do appreciate folk taking the time to respond. Very much appreciated. I will let you know how things progress.

nzskater

From talking to a friend he has had a similar experience and dealt with it by putting lots of pressure on them to provide proof, and staying on it until they withdrew the accusation.

I think the key message would be that it's not fair or reasonable to expect the customer to inspect the undercarriage of a car.

Good luck, hope it sorts itself out.

Obsessed

Macca, can you get your credit card company to reverse the charge? If the insurance company has to work a bit harder to get the money then they might decide it's not worth the hassle.

John McM

I agree with Jake, it's not reasonable to expect a person to check under a car for damage prior to hiring it.

To make this stick I would expect them to prove that every car is checked on a hoist prior to rental and that they advise people of the condition of the total car. Not just the parts they can see.

At times I have rented both Hertz and Avis cars at Auckland airport where they appear to have been hot seated i.e. sent back out in the same condition they were returned in.

nzskater

Another thought; did they note any undercarriage info when it was rented? Pretty sure the little outline of the car detailing where scratches exist doesn't include the underside? Surely that would be enough to close out the issue.

Runtothehills

@ 2:43

peterC2S

^^^ Nice!!

RS ZWEI

I just spotted in Napier a nice sliver NZ new 964 C2. I dont think its a local car, it was driven by an older guy (60's or 70's?). Plate was RX7114.

kiwi 911

That's Damien's car (I'm guessing). It will be silver over black, tipo.

He has owned since new...............

John McM

Yes, that's Damien's car.

Sparse pickings here in Welly. I've seen one white 964.

Macca

Thanks guys. Still working on it. Toyota and panel shop came in at maximum estimate 40% of what been charged to us and that was assuming nuts and washers etc.

I have emailed the claims team. They are based in Australia to make life easier LOL!

Jake & John bring interesting points which I had also picked up on and made clear in my email. Unless a hoist is provided at pick up they have the consumer in a catch 22. I think there is still a fair trading act in NZ that covers this. Secondly they provide no icons on their check list for inspection underneath of the car. lastly unless the photograph the undercarriage immediately before the car is parked for our pick up how can we be sure who created the damage.

Lots of loopholes. For the reduced excess fee most would walk away and loose the cash for the hassle factor (seems to be teh case according to complaints online about this rental company) but for $3500 Im prepared to take it to the end. Call me stubborn!

Appreciate the collective brain power going on here., Must now also check travel insurance policy....

O2GO

Can any fellow Aucklanders recommend companies for the supply of Track tyres at a competitive price. I'm interested in Toyo R888 (replacements for my nearly worn out 17" tyres) and Hancook Z221s for the SITT. I'll be running my Bridgestone 18" road tyres for the tour and switching to Track tyres at Queenstown and out of them again after the track day at Chch.

I've had quotes on R888s from $1500 to $2k for a set and are sure I can do better ($400 for the fronts and $610 for the rears, each, ouch!).

215/45ZR17 front
255/40ZR17 rear

Thanks

John McM

I got my 17" Z221s from Bryan at Mega Tyre, 34 Anzac Rd, Browns Bay 09 478 6004. $1,557 fitted and balanced. He fitted these onto my Fuchs himself.