So I wanted to book a cheap automatic car and the best prices were in www.maltafirstcarhire.com. I booked a car that they were supposed to drop off and pick up from my hotel for 31€. Pretty good deal huh? Well I did not know what is coming next!
After the booking they called me and said that I will have to pick up the hotel from the airport because they cannot deliver to the hotel. I said OK, no problem.
I met their representative at the airport where I had to prepare the necessary papers. Then he told me to swipe my card for the rental hold which was 1.500€!!! I have rented a car in Malta one year ago and the hold was 400€. I have rent a car in different places in EU and USA but I never had a hold over 500€.
Although my balance was way above 1.500€ my bank denied. Why the hold is so high I asked? The law changed he told me and this is the amount. I said that this is my only credit card and in this case I cannot rent the car.
I paid 3€ on booking and the rest was due that day. He told me that I will have to pay for the full amount even If I did not take the car.
Then he made an offer that if I pay 11€ extra for insurance, then he will lower the hold to 500€. I accepted and we made the credit card hold for 500€ and charged me 42€ for the rental. Plus they charged me for VAT although in their website says that VAT is included
Then we proceeded to the car. There was another man then who would show me the car. He was in a hurry and unwilling to mark any scratches of the car. I had to show him the car's damages for him to note them down. After unwillingly marking the car for scratches he gave me the receipt.
The car was a toyota yaris in a very good condition and I enjoyed my day in Malta. I did not have any issues with the car whatsoever and the car was parked in the hotel underground parking.
The deal with returning the car was that I will leave the keys to the reception and they will pick up the keys from there. However, they came earlier than the time we agreed and I had to come down to the lobby and give the key.
After a few hours a man called Laurence called me on the phone claiming that I had damaged the car. I told him that I was not aware of any damage on the car. I asked for a picture of the damage. He agreed and we hang up.
1. The booking
I met their representative at the airport where I had to prepare the necessary papers. Then he told me to swipe my card for the rental hold which was 1.500€!!! I have rented a car in Malta one year ago and the hold was 400€. I have rent a car in different places in EU and USA but I never had a hold over 500€.
Although my balance was way above 1.500€ my bank denied. Why the hold is so high I asked? The law changed he told me and this is the amount. I said that this is my only credit card and in this case I cannot rent the car.
I paid 3€ on booking and the rest was due that day. He told me that I will have to pay for the full amount even If I did not take the car.
Then he made an offer that if I pay 11€ extra for insurance, then he will lower the hold to 500€. I accepted and we made the credit card hold for 500€ and charged me 42€ for the rental. Plus they charged me for VAT although in their website says that VAT is included
Then we proceeded to the car. There was another man then who would show me the car. He was in a hurry and unwilling to mark any scratches of the car. I had to show him the car's damages for him to note them down. After unwillingly marking the car for scratches he gave me the receipt.
The car was a toyota yaris in a very good condition and I enjoyed my day in Malta. I did not have any issues with the car whatsoever and the car was parked in the hotel underground parking.
2. The Return
After a few hours a man called Laurence called me on the phone claiming that I had damaged the car. I told him that I was not aware of any damage on the car. I asked for a picture of the damage. He agreed and we hang up.
3. The Fraud
The days were passing by and I did not receive anything. So after a few days I called them asking for the picture. Laurence said that he will send it that day the Tuesday 5th of May. I received nothing, so the next day I called again. Somebody else picked up and told me that Laurence is not in the office and I should call tommorow. So I did. I called Laurence again on the 7th of May asking for the photos. He told me that he send them already. I said I did not receive anything. Finally he send them late in the evening along with the invoice.
When I saw the pictures I was sure that this is a fraud but I will describe this on detail on the next page.
This is the Proof That They Are Fraudsters
When I saw the pictures I was sure that this is a fraud but I will describe this on detail on the next page.
This is the Proof That They Are Fraudsters
I am interested in bringing people like this to book what are the chances of this blogger giving an email address
ReplyDeleteBrian gillen(real name)
Further to my recent comment. I have just noticed that the above blogger thought his bank denied the hold of €15000----NO THE GUY DELIBERATELY MISOPERATED THE CARD MACHINE. I have the print out receipt for my swindle. He never wanted the €1500. This was only to remove their promise of fully comprehensive insurance. I will be opening my own blog soon
ReplyDeleteBrian Gillen
Just had this happen to me. We picked up a car today and the 1500 euro hold fee was apparently declined by out bank. Phoned the bank and they said there was no reason for decline - they had not seen request for payment. Tried few times and eventually car hire guy offered reduced hold fee if we pay excess cover. We went ahead stupidly as we're stuck in airport with young family. Have car for 2 weeks so can only imagine what they are going to try when we return the car! - any advice?
ReplyDeleteI had the 1500 euro scam worked on me earlier this month. "Refused by the bank". It's a way to make you pay the damage excess, which I doubt they actually apply to the vehicle.
ReplyDeleteIn addition I was charged 40 euro for a "tank" of fuel, which it turned out was 1/2 a tank although I couldn't see this when I got in the car because none of the dashboard lights were working. Oh and the front two tyres were almost flat. Not a good experience. Certainly would not recommend them
I have just been scammed in a different way: paid for the car in the UK, months before hire period, then after my return, my credit card, which was given as security against damage was debited with the car hire price again! I m now having to provide all the proof to the credit card company to claim back this unauthorised debit to my account.This I regard as theft.
ReplyDeleteWe've been scammed át the same location we rented a car the but after 5 km the manual shifter did not work I called them no one Picked up so we went back in first gear and they said that is our fault! And they going to charge us 600 euró for it which was on hold! A few days latter we left Málta and by the time we landed they chrged us an additional 1500 eurós! By the way the car is under warranty!!! Can anyone give me advice what should i do? THANKS
ReplyDelete