www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Avis is the worst in my experience. 3rd time they made a damage claim on me, in 4 rentals over 15 years. I was stuck with them because I waited too late for a reservation Semana Santa. My reg is Budget.

Sure enough I brought the car back and the little tico nerd says "there is a scratch" on the lower front fender, blah blah, not noted by me on the inspection check out sheet. The car had splashed/spattered mud on the front fender when I returned it. No scratch. I photo'd it and had taken photo's of it when I checked it out a week earlier. I was a little pressed for time to get to the airport and this officious anal weasal already had his mind made up. He told me: "I know this car". Avis by the Marriott is not a small rental shop. I knew it wasn't worth the time and a credit card battle was in the future. I get a prompt bill on myy cc for the rental. No problem. A month later I get a bill for $260 for the "damage".

What they do is they fill in the amount on your 2nd signed voucher that they want to arbitrarily charge you after your gone for the purported damage.

I challenged it thru my CC company. They have by law a long time to respond. Avis sent a copy of a repair bill from some body shop with photo's that nobody could decipher.

The pre and post photo's weren't what saved me, although no doubt they helped bolster my story.

Here's the thing that I always do.

When you rent a car in CR, they run two vouchers off your CC, 1 for the rental, and 1 for any uninsured damage to the car upon return.

Of course you have to sign the vouchers, but be smart and next to your signature, date it with that day's date. You could not have authorized the charge with that 2nd dated voucher that they later fill with an amount they think will fly and submit on the date when you bring it back a week or whenever later on the return date, a day for sure past the authorization date. I know that's a mouthful, but it boils down to you didn't authorize that 2nd voucher if it's dated a week or whenever sooner. Also date any other piece of shit they stick in front of you, Avis I noticed had a seperate page with legal mumbo jumbo that was not on a carbon and they didn't give me a copy.

My cc company customer service called me today to inform me they were siding with me and told me why. It is obviously not going to work if you bring back a car with a 1/4 front quarter panel demolished, nor would any of us try, when you're wrong your wrong, pay the piper. But it was what put me over on Avis this time who have gotten me twice before for bs.

CR Avis looks for bs stuff to charge your cc. Alot of them do the same, even Budget in days gone by, but they've stopped that bs.

DGD: I tried to understand what you've written but still don't understand what "...saved you...."?????????????????? Please advise in succinct fashion if you will. Like, how do you handle this one: "Avis I noticed had a seperate page with legal mumbo jumbo that was not on a carbon and they didn't give me a copy." How they hey you prove it existed if you weren't given a copy?

I rely heavily on the MasterCard; Visa; and AmEx CDW.....it at least covers the rental car itself....but don't they MAKE YOU/REQUIRE YOU to take out the next line of coverage for any property damage YOU cause (like as in if YOU are RESPONSIBLE for hitting another car or driving into a house or whatever???????)??????? Are you not REQUIRED by CR LAW to sign up for that damage to other property stuff?

I realize I have two questions going on to you here: What you are MANDATED to purcahse if you rely on the CDW from MasterCard; and next is the paperwork you're not given a copy of>??????

I have rented from AVIS twice before. Had plently of time: Took TWO HOURS of taking digital photos of the dinky little rice beater from front to back and all sides.....annoyed the AVIS boy.....but I think he understood what I was doing. Had no problems at check in. However, now you've got my anxiety levels so elevated I'm turning to medication.........

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Steve: I admit it was a hard read. My bad.

What saved me was dating the 2nd voucher with the current date. The first voucher I paid, it was for the rental. That bill showed up on my account within a few days. The damage charge didn't show up for about a month.

My Credit Card co set forth 2 criteria for an unauthorized charge: 1) I did not authorize the charge and 2) I received no benefit from the charge. The difference in the dates was enough for Master Card to go my way that I did not authorize the charge, but I am sure my pre and post digital photo's helped, and Avis' unrecognizable photo's hurt them.

The one page doc Avis didn't give me a copy of at check-out was included in their response to my beef to Master Card. It said in English that I agreed to pay for property damage since I was waiving the property damage coverage. But I signed it "xxxxxxxx, personally, as of that days date." So I guess Avis can sue me but Master Card wasn't paying on what I turned into a promissory note. Avis didn't even look at my signature line on check out. Budget doesn't use that kind of '"extra proof" document.

You can waive all the coverages except one which is mandatory. They all double talk you on the others that you must have, but I do it all the time. But if you waive they put a $3,000 hold on your cc, Budget $2,500. And if you do waive you are on the hook for your car's property damage regardless of fault or vandalism or whatever. That's when they try to charge your card at an amount that suits them. Many credit cards offer property damage coverage on rentals, but many not for out of the US occurrences. I have other insurance for these situations and I don't want my credit card to be Avis' or Budget's guaranteed piggy bank. That's why I recommend signing the 2nd voucher with the current date.

What I really recommend is if you don't have coverage on your CC or otherwise, pay for the property damage coverage for their car that they offer--it's about $11 a day. And all the rest of their plans if $$ is not an issue for you.

You can also now buy your own short term car rental property damage coverage from one of the CR government agencies, I forget which one, for alot cheaper than the rental co's, but it it takes time to get it in place so really not feasible for us go-go guys.

I would like to find out about this government insurance. Where to begin? Anyone have any experience with this outfit, plesase?

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

I got an email from them and it was in spanish, I am sure it was a CR govt agency, I recognized the name of the agency at the time. No clue how they got my email. I emailed the lady who signed it, in Spanish, and asked if she could have someone contact me in English but it never happened. I was able to translate enough to see it was cheaper but it was going to take paper work and time, a commidity i don't have in SJ. I don't know, maybe it was a spoofed sight, but they had peoples names and tel #'s and email and it sure looked like the real deal.

One thing to keep in mind about doing something like this. If the car rental company files a suit against you here in Costa Rica, on your next trip down, you won't be allowed to leave the country until you settle the suit. I always advise anyone renting a car to take out the FULL coverage offered so there are NO problems and nothing coming back at you once you are home.

_________________
The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

creepers! jeepers!

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

"Doing something like this?"

Sounds like you think I was scamming them. It was them scamming me.

I am not worried about Avis CR filing suit against me in CR for $200 bucks, trying to get me served with papers in CR, and getting that info into their Immigration computer system.

Sorry DGD, didn't mean to imply you were trying to pull a scam or anything. Way I view it they were scamming you! Just wanted to point out that any time a foreigner has a suit against him/her, be it for Ch*ld support or unpaid debt, the information is automatically sent to the immigration system. They do not have to serve you with papers to put an immigration hold on you. I have no idea, obviously, if they will file a suit or not but if they do, your passport info will be put into the immigration system and when you go to the airport to leave, they will deny you exit.

Edit: You can deposit the amount you are being sued for in a special bank account and be allowed to leave but the court process could drag on for a LONG time. When the case is decided, the amount you deposited will be used to settle the judgement or be returned to you.

_________________
The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

OK PV Steve, thanks for clearing that up. If I thought I had damaqed the car, I'd pay it.

A US chain, even though locally franchised to a CR corp, is exposed in the US for a tort action, including malicious prosecution or fraud by their CR franchisee, if your reservation was made in the U.S. thru, let's say as in this case, Avis' USA's website or tel.

The 1st time Avis CR tried to screw me, when they were still at their other location much nearer the airport a long, long time ago, there was a cracked front amber directional signal when I brought it back, you know, one of those 3 inch x 3 inch pieces of plastic glass. I wasn't smart enuf to do thorough inspection reports on rent car pick up's back then and there weren't digital cameras. So, I had no idea if it happened on my watch or not. I gave the check out guy $25. he comes back out with the $25 and he say his boss says $125. Nope. They run my pre-signed 2nd voucher for $125.

OK, get back to the states, do the credit card thing again, and also beefed to Avis US with a nasty legal gram which I am licensed to do. Never heard another thing from Avis and the charge never appeared on my cc.

Another time, I brought the car back to Avis 3/4 empty. I got stuck in the mountains and I was very, very late for my flight. I know I have to pay extra for the gas on the economy car I had. No time to wait for their calculations, but I marked "1/4 tank of gas remains" next to my handcock on their carbon and on my cc voucher and away I went. I get a credit card bill for $395, $195 for the rental and $200 for gas. Gas was alot cheaper then also. Same bs with my credit card co and with Avis US. Even if the car was empty it still came out to an exorbitant amount per litre. They produced no documentation of an agreement that said I would pay x amount per litre if not full, only that I would be charged. They all do now if you notice. Avis USA eventually wrote to me saying it was all a big miscalculation and in good faith reduced it to $40 or $50, I forgot, still high for the year, but screw it.

The same principle applies to tourists hurt in American chain hotels franchised in foreign countries. You can get venue in an American court as long as long as you booked it here, with several other conditions, like "holding it out as theirs".

To cut to the chase, I don't sweat the small stuff. Live clean, be straight, respect CR, but book American, walk tall, but don't get walked on.

DGD...good point with booking thru Avis in the States and taking up disputes with them. The few times I've rented a car here, years ago, I just got the full insurance coverage so never had a problem. Once, as we left the lot in the car, felt one of the tires doing something funny. Pulled over and noticed a huge chunk missing out of it. Immediately took it back and they replaced the tire no problem and no charge. If I hadn't had the full coverage, they probably would have wanted to charge me for it even though we hadn't driven more than 3 miles total and never left the pista.

_________________
The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

I rent a car every time I go to CR and get FULL insurance--1 time in Jaco the thieves gouged up my locks trying to get in right in the middle of the day on main street and I was not charged a penny and also rented a car on my last trip to Tamarindo last month and backed into a pole and did minor damage--called in the report and was not charged a penny--I recommend FULL INSURANCE AND THRIFTY CAR RENTALS

Yes PVT Steve, yoou were smart to buy there coverage, because for the tire and what not, you would have got hit at five x what it cost them. Similarly in poster's asco's case, he also didn't have his own cc coverage or other coverage so he was smart to buy there's. I always recommend to buy the coverage on your rent car if you don't have your own coverage on your cc or other coverage like me. No question, in fact purchase all of the car rental coverages on all their bs angles; that's the answer so they don't charge your credit card, before and after, with any bs charges. That way, regardless of the circumstance of how you messed up their car and the amount of damages, you can go home and not think twice, just make sure they rip up the 2nd voucher when you leave. But if you do buy all the whistles and bells, you will spend $60 a day for an economy car even in Sept -Nov. I rarely spend more than $150 a week for a 4 door or better assuming I book a month or so in advance and it ain't Easter.

Car rentals are not unlike a significant segment of the "screw the gringo" CR tourismo industry mentality, and car rental insurance is a big winner for them. Not many people, I assume, challenge their bullshit charges which is why they keep doing it.

If you are not (or even if you are) insured back home for property damage to the rental, follow my advice re: the 2nd voucher as stated above because your insurance carrier back home can be worse than the insurance the rental company in CR is trying to sell you at $2 per hour. If you get unfairly jammed up with one of these gringo franchises owned by a buch of sharp Ticos, don't buckle and just pay it when you get home, challenge the cc charge with your bank, and start swinging at the momma franchisor US Corp. If you're right, you'll be OK. And they're not going to sue you in CR.

With cars, read the posts on this board about pre-rental inspections. For every little ding, inside and out, regardless of how small, even on the floor mats, or a rub on a tire or a ding/bent rim, a burn on a seat, a scratch on the dash board, a blemish on the windshield or the windows, a missing cig lighter (now out of all their cars), any missing decal (wow--they are hot on that) make sure it is noted on the report that you sign, and don't let them say "si, si, aqui" make a mark for the damaged area youself. Take a thousand photo's, close far, get the plate # in on several pics, get the check out guy in on several pics.

These rent car guys are trained in this art. They're worse then DR bartenders or the ones on the other side of the bar. I love Budget last 5 years because 1) Best rates hands down, you can compare and see; 2) most importantly Budget has grown to where they no longer ain't bitching about a chip of paint off of a side view mirrow. Avis, the biggest fleet in SJ, still plays the game.

While PVT has a rather vested interest in DISCOURAGING auto rental, I mean.....one has to believe his advice and trust it at face value.....that he is not simply trying to scare you from having the pay the LARGE price of transport in Costa Rica (don't forget to factor in the TIP COSTS either.....they ALL expect 'em.....that "propina".....be it USA operated or Tico operated......!!!!!! [big assault in the text chat about the late night of July 30, 2012!!! Seems EVERYONE in Costa Rica EXPECTS a "propina"].....been well trained by jackass keepers from Norte Americana it appears....), PVT does speak the truth and underscore what is what....and further underscores the value of services such as what he owns, PROPINA EXPECTATION and all.....

Still sure would like to know about that State short term policy stuff which has got to come from INS.......have my own "feelers" out about that....but don't expect a ton of data to come in....).

I, personally, work with AVIS. That don't mean dick squat in CR: May have an AVIS sign....but it is "indepentely owned"; a franchise controlled, etc.: Bottom line: USA AVIS can't do diddly for you. I last rented from AVIS in 2007. I took 2.5 hours slowly going about the rented car with a VHS video cam, narrating what I was doing. Annoyed the hell out of the Tico staff......; did it all with a smile on my face and many, many "very sorry" in my bastardized Espanol.......when I brought the car back some 14 days later.....had the video out and ready to view........however......inside staff just checked me in and waved me on.....

Oh, and DGD....I am fully advised by AVIS corporate that waiving the CDW and going with the credit card insurance REQUIRES me to purchase the liability stuff....$11.00@ per day....almost 50% of the price of the car.

I sure would like to find out about the state sold short term stuff.....

!

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Are you referring to the "mandatory, unwaiverable" Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) underwritten by INS that costs up to $20/day, Steve1?