Sixt - SIXT (France) - Damage Dispute - What To Do?

Hi, I rented a car in France for 13 days. Upon return, they said we had damaged the car and it was to be returned washed and vacuumed. We did not have any accidents or damages. My credit card was charged 3 times - once under Hertz (we picked up car at Hertz counter) for the correct contract amount, 2 times from SIXT. One of the SIXT charges was around the same amount as Hertz and the other one was double. After phone calls, emails and faxing of my credit card statements they have apologized for the one SIXT charge (charged in error) but said the other charge was for the damage. They did say they received repair invoice from garage and it wasn't as much as originally charged so they will be be crediting my credit card. They sent me a copy of the invoice but it's in French so I cannot read it. I've requested the invoice be sent to me in English but they haven't replied yet. I did decline the insurance as my credit card should cover any damage but we did not do any damage! I have also contacted my credit card company to dispute the charges. Anyone have any suggestions on how to handle? Thanks!

It is simply not true that a car has to be washed and vacuumed upon return. We rent with Sixt regularly all across Europe and never had such an issue. Normally the car is not dirty anyway but we also did some camping trips with Sixt cars and the cars were somehow dirty inside. Still we never had a problem returning the car.

Anyway I am not sure if you can do much about your problem now. Did a Sixt employee checked to car upon return and told you about the damage and the fact that you need to clean it? If so I don't think you have any chance because you were informed about it. You should have argued when you returned the car and not later on. If you returned it and no one checked the car you may have a chance by arguing that you returned the car without any damage and if there was a damage afterwards than it was not your fault. Sitll it is a tricky situation.

Good luck!

Hi,

I just always book with Sixt and with Amex, you have always a complete insurance and they are always helpful. Don't you have one? In combination with the Sixt Card, it's always cheaper :D
I never clean the car before handing it back. I don' t know how it looked like when you returned it, but they can not charge you for this. I would insist :D Can they even proof that you did not clean it? :p

I wonder if you don't have the green paper with you?

Bills: I had to call them twice as well. They send me the new one, which was still wrong but at least with the correct amount. Money was given back immediatly.

But keep in mind: I speak french. They are like that to foreigners. It'#s just unfair but it happens often. Did you take the car in Avignon station? we had the chance of having them NOT discovered the damage we had done to a BMW. Did you get this one :rolleyes::) ? So there is always somebody who get's away with it - and the next won't. But it's a random system :rolleyes:

If you need help in french, I' m willing to help.

An update. My request has been transferred to a French arm of SIXT.I'm hoping they can translate into English both the the letter and the invoice from the repair shop. Although I keep stating I do not agree with the charges (for damages) as well as this was stated when car was returned, I'm waiting for the English translation. Should I lose (not sure if I have anything to fight) will I be able to claim this with my credit card I used to rent the vehicle? I did not use an AMEX but rather CapitalOne card, which states it covers insurance.

I can not understand what the French did to you.
Apparently, you do not have the green paper then?
It's a copy indicating in which estate you handed back the car - This is crucial, not only in France.

I think without this paper it will be very difficult to proove anything and even the credit card company might not be willing to help you.

So don't you have the green paper?

IMHO, bluebird is dead wrong. You don't need any stinkin' French paper. Instead, you need to be following the billing error rules with your credit card company (I also always use Amex on Europe rentals because they are pretty helpful, compared to some). Be CERTAIN to dispute the charges by mailed in writing to the BILLING ERROR DISPUTE ADDRESS (not where you usually send your check). Phone calls will not protect you. You have 60 days from date disputed bill was MAILED to you. Be sure you can prove initial letter was received by card company--certified mail or enclose check as partial payment on acct.

By the way, much the same thing happened to me in Southern France years ago. I was using a Visa (due to lower forex charges--won't do that again on a car rental) and, after a bit of a hassle, got my thousand bucks bill from rental company reversed. Although I was allowed to drop the car anywhere in France (after pickup at Toulouse airport) they claimed a drop in Cahor at the train station incurred a charge of $1K.