I had a similar though consideably less pricy experience with Budget in Las Vegas a couple of years back. The agent walked around and around and around the car for a couple of minutes and then told me I'd have to go inside and fill out an accident report because I'd damaged the car. There was a tiny chip of paint missing on the rear bumper. When I said "well, isn't that what bumpers are for?" she said that damage wasn't there when I took the car so I'm responsible. They only charged me $75, probably put it in the bank and the next person who took the car had better have noticed that nick.