Speakeasy forum: Car rental awareness..be alert on returns

I had an Alamo rental vehicle in Fort Myers Florida and crossed a toll bridge. A toll taker took my money, and gave me a receipt. As I drove away, I saw a flash behind me. Weeks later I got a bill for the toll and a mystery charge appeared on my credit card. After several phone calls, it appeared that the lady in the toll booth forgot to reset or disable a camera that takes pictures of cars who blow on through the booth. I was caught. Whoever owns the camera system traced the license to Alamo who gave them my contact information. Alamo assessed me 15 bucks for that service. Because I had the toll receipt, it was easy to beat that charge and fine. It was the toll taker's fault but Alamo would not dismiss the charges. Watch out for that one too.

and scrape. They wash the cars after every use which will remove the crayon, but they'll be able to see that there are no fresh marks when you return the car. They'll also have to mark it all down on their sheet because they know that you know what is there.

Then again, I bet I forget to do that the next time I rent a car. Do you have Zip Cars and the like in the US. Rental cars left in strategic places which you can order by telephone and then pick up and use for 4 hours or more. My wife uses them all the time. Me, I can't afford them.

Rob

I never had to be so "pro-active" to protect myself. Of course, I took care of the rental from myself and drive careful. EXCEPT for one time in Abilene, TX that i wiped out in a flash flood puddle driving 55mph and spun like a top(no damage) and landed in a yard. adios -----Willy