Avis gave me a defective car and then charged me for towing. Anything I can do?
I rented a car from Avis. The morning I was supposed to return it, the battery in the car remote died. Unfortunately it was one of the cars that starts with a button press and needed the remote battery to be alive for it to start. I called Avis and they had the car towed and then charged me more than $200 for the "service" even though they were the ones who gave me a defective car.
Is there anything I can do to get my money for the towing "service" back?
Edit: I tried holding the remote next to the start button but that didn't work. Replacing the battery would have meant 30-40$ in Uber costs as I was short on time and was in a suburban area with no guarantee things would work even after that.
Best Answer
First, all button start cars start witout a battery in the remote; you can dislodge a physical mini-key from the remote and unlock the doors with it, and you can hold the whole (unpowered) remote directly near the start button and press it. Both parts usually work without a problem; aside from that, you could have replaced the battery for some cents.
In other words, If your problem was really only a battery in the remote, there was no towing necessary. Their point of view is probably that you produced that cost by 'not knowing how to use the car correctly' (not reading the manual and therefore not knowing above techniques). It might be annoying to you, but I tend to agree with this view, and you will have little chance legally to win such a battle.
It is a bit stupid from them to not tell you how to do it on the phone, but maybe the problem wasn't clear to them, of the guy on the phone didn't know either.
You might be able to sweettalk them into covering it, but this is probably not a good time to hope for lenience, as all car rental companies are bleeding badly for cash.
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How do I dispute a charge with Avis?
In order for us to resolve your concerns, is important that you contact the correct customer service department to begin the process.How do I get a refund from Avis?
If you wish to cancel before your rental pick-up time, you must cancel and request a refund online. Once cancelled, we will credit you within approximately seven business days. Credits will be applied to the same card with which you prepaid.Will Avis reimburse for a flat tire?
Flat Tire Assistance & Replacement - We'll replace a flat or damaged tire with the spare, or get the car towed to the nearest service facility. Jump Start - If your vehicle experiences battery failure, we'll provide a jump start.How can I speak to Avis?
Do you want to talk to an Avis customer service agent? For help in the United States, call 1-800-352-7900. Visit the Worldwide Telephone Numbers page for help in other countries.Avis Rental Car's Fraudulent Charges: BEWARE!!!
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