In 2017 my wife, 2 young children and me rented a small family car for 1 week whilst on a camping holiday in Spain. On arrival they provided a different car than advertised though this was fine as we didn't need anything special as it would be rarely used. The handover was somewhat chaotic with translation issues, different car provision and that they did not have the appropriate sized Car seat that we requested. However, Unfortunately, in hindsight, the Sixt representative did not advice regarding checking the vehicle or give me a list of known or previous damages to the car and I forgot to ask for one. There were quite a few dints and marks on the car and I took a picture of a larger one only unfortunately. On return of the vehicle having had no issues/ bumps etc we returned the vehicle one week later somewhat rushed to get to our departure flight. On handing the keys back at the kiosk the representative booked our shuttle bus and went off to check the car. She came back and told that she found two 'small scratches' on the bumper. I had advised that we had no known bump/ knock etc and that this could not of been any incident of our own causing. The representative asked me to sign the electronic document anyway, I asked her if this would then mean we would have to pay for the reported damages to which she replied in front of my wife and me that 'there would be no charges from Sixt and that she has to mark it on the electronic system for the next customer who uses the vehicle'. As we were waiting for the booked shuttle bus with little time before the flight I was apprehensive that if I went to check the vehicle and argue the situation we would miss our flight. With 2 young children 2+7 you can imagine the instant horror of that situation. So I signed the electronic form!
Of course, 1 months later an email is received declaring we owe 430 Euro's for damage repairs. I have tried to highlight our situation and that I feel we have been cornered into a situation of providing a signature given incorrect and unclear information as to what I was signing for both on pick up and drop off of the vehicle.
Sixt T damage and claim department have blankly told me on reply that I have signed the electronic document to say that there were no damages on collection of the vehicle and that there were the two scratches on delivery of the vehicle. Both of these points I believe are either untrue or of no fault of our own and we have yet seen any evidence of the reported scratches.
To make matters worse Whilst awaiting a reply from Sixt from my dispute I have now received charges from a German debt Collectors for the original amount + interest and administration fees and have a deadline of 11.5.18 to make a payment.
If there is anyone with a Spanish Law background or representative from Sixt who sees this thread and feels We have been treated unfairly or have no case for dispute I would be really grateful to know. I feel like we have been trapped but then it is very hard to remain unbiased obviously and am very conscious that we are now going to get extra charges from this company Profaktura Auslandsinkasso GmbH. Kind regards.