Sued Hertz

[cloister2]

I sued Hertz in Minnesota small claims and the trial is in 6 weeks . After renting a van from them for a month they charged me $175 for returning to a different location. Also, they charged me to refill the tank at $10/gallon. Also they refused to reimburse me for changing the headlight bulb, which was rather complicated. I have a receipt for that. I'm asking for $318 including labor, return of the change location return fee, and return of the fee for 7 gallons of gas as the tank was not full upon pick up of the van.
For a different rental in Europe, I'm also asking for a refund of a customs fee in Norway. Norway does not have customs fees. What should I expect to happen?

 

[Taxing Matters]

I sued Hertz in Minnesota small claims and the trial is in 6 weeks . After renting a van from them for a month they charged me $175 for returning to a different location. Also, they charged me to refill the tank at $10/gallon. Also they refused to reimburse me for changing the headlight bulb, which was rather complicated. I have a receipt for that. I'm asking for $318 including labor, return of the change location return fee, and return of the fee for 7 gallons of gas as the tank was not full upon pick up of the van.
For a different rental in Europe, I'm also asking for a refund of a customs fee in Norway. Norway does not have customs fees. What should I expect to happen?

That depends on the terms of the car rental contract you had. Did it specify you needed to return the van to the same location as where you picked up the van? All the major rental companies charge for refilling the tank, I'm pretty sure you'll see that in your contract. When you pick up the, you should get the level of gas in the car noted so that you only pay for the gas you actually used. Did you get that noted in your rental documents? As to the repaired head lamp, what does the contract say about that? Did you call Hertz before replacing it to ask how to handle it?

 

[cloister2]

That depends on the terms of the car rental contract you had. Did it specify you needed to return the van to the same location as where you picked up the van? All the major rental companies charge for refilling the tank, I'm pretty sure you'll see that in your contract. When you pick up the, you should get the level of gas in the car noted so that you only pay for the gas you actually used. Did you get that noted in your rental documents? As to the repaired head lamp, what does the contract say about that? Did you call Hertz before replacing it to ask how to handle it?

Yes, it did mention where to return the van, however each location charges a different return service fee and the $175 was not in the contact. I signed the contract as they assured me the tank was full. But when I got in the van a quarter tank was missing. I did not have time to inform them of the headlamp when it occurred. However they refused to compensate me with any money after I returned it. I must look up the statute to determine if they're legally obligated to compensate me for that. I doubt it's my responsibility. my labor was $75./hr @ 4 hours

 

[Ohiogal]

Yes, it did mention where to return the van, however each location charges a different return service fee and the $175 was not in the contact. I signed the contract as they assured me the tank was full. But when I got in the van a quarter tank was missing. I did not have time to inform them of the headlamp when it occurred. However they refused to compensate me with any money after I returned it. I must look up the statute to determine if they're legally obligated to compensate me for that. I doubt it's my responsibility. my labor was $75./hr @ 4 hours

You are lucky they didn't put a warrant out for your arrest: https://www.the-sun.com/motors/4817572/hertz-arrested-warrant-law-suit-rental-cars/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/03/02/rental-car-hertz-warrant-arrest/9330894002/?gnt-cfr=1

But you don't get to charge them for your labor or replacing a headlamp. You should have contacted them. It was your responsibility to check everything PRIOR to leaving the rental place.

 

[adjusterjack]

What should I expect to happen?

Lose on the return fee. You knew there would be one.
Lose on the gasoline. Should have walked back in and taken care of that.
Lose on the repair. Should have called that in. Hertz likely has arrangements with dealers or shops or a local Hertz location that could have done it faster at less, or no, cost

There is a remote, and I emphasize remote, possibility that you might win on the customs fee. Just make sure you have some documentation from Norway that there is no customs fee.

OTOH, since you have six weeks, I suggest you email one of these people and see if there is something that can be worked out to avoid the trial:

Laura Smith
Executive Vice President Global Marketing and Customer Experience
8501 Williams Road
Estero, FL 33928
[email protected]

Krystle Kordsmeier
Manager, Executive Customer Care
8501 Williams Road
Estero, FL 33928
[email protected]

 

[Taxing Matters]

Yes, it did mention where to return the van, however each location charges a different return service fee and the $175 was not in the contact.

Ok, then you knew you where you were supposed to return it and that there would be a return fee. The contract itself didn't specify the amount of the fee, though if the contract includes that information by referring to some other source, like its web site, the rental car agency can rely upon that. If there is no reference in the contract to where the rate would be specified then the company can still at least get the court to award a fee that is reasonable. What amount the court would determine that, I cannot say of course as it depends on the judge or jury hearing the case and what they think would be reasonable. But you'll owe something for this.

I signed the contract as they assured me the tank was full. But when I got in the van a quarter tank was missing.

You might win on that if you convince the court that the rental agency did tell you the tank was full. On the other hand, as soon as you saw that the tank was not full, which presumably was right there on the rental lot, you could have informed them of that right there, and that will work against you.

I did not have time to inform them of the headlamp when it occurred. However they refused to compensate me with any money after I returned it. I must look up the statute to determine if they're legally obligated to compensate me for that. I doubt it's my responsibility. my labor was $75./hr @ 4 hours

Sorry to tell you that your own labor in replacing the headlamp is not compensable. The actual cost of the headlamp itself may be, if you can convince the court that you truly had no time to contact Hertz about it.

Remember, as the plaintiff, it is your burden to prove your case. If you come up short, you lose.

 

[zddoodah]

Also they refused to reimburse me for changing the headlight bulb, which was rather complicated. I have a receipt for that. I'm asking for $318 including labor

You might be entitled to reimbursement of the cost of the bulb, but you aren't going to get anything for "labor."

For a different rental in Europe, I'm also asking for a refund of a customs fee in Norway. Norway does not have customs fees.

Not sure what "Norway does not have customs fees" means, but if it's a fee you agreed to pay in your rental contract, then there's no basis for a refund (unless you could somehow establish that Norwegian law forbids the imposition of such fees, but that's not going to happen in a U.S. small claims court).

What should I expect to happen?

Depends on the terms of your contracts with the rental company, which, obviously, no one here knows.

 

[not2cleverRed]

Also they refused to reimburse me for changing the headlight bulb, which was rather complicated. I have a receipt for that.

Why would you replace it?

You risk violating the lease when you make an alteration - you call it in and request that they repair or replace ASAP.

 

[cloister2]

Why would you replace it?

You risk violating the lease when you make an alteration - you call it in and request that they repair or replace ASAP.

Well it was at night and I realized going anywhere without a headlight was illegal.

 

[Zigner]

...my labor was $75./hr @ 4 hours

Why would it take you 4 hours to change a headlight?

 

[cloister2]

Why would it take you 4 hours to change a headlight?

required removing multiple panels from the body, removing multiple hard to access multiple bolts, removing the headlight. Going to the store. It was dark. Changing a headlight bulb on a Promaster is extremely difficult. It is not a jalopy

 

[Zigner]

I just watched a 7 minute video - no cuts - that shows how to do it. Let's double that for reassembly, then double it again because stuff happens. You're looking at 28 minutes. Your lack of knowledge or ability doesn't mean you get to charge ridiculous amounts.

You're demand on Hertz was ridiculous. Had you been reasonable in your request, you MIGHT have gotten something, but there's no way you'll get anywhere near 4 hours for a half-hour job.

 

[cloister2]

$74/hr is dirt cheap

You're demand on Hertz was ridiculous. Had you been reasonable in your request, you MIGHT have gotten something, but there's no way you'll get anywhere near 4 hours for a half-hour job.

but $75/hr is cheap for labor. so what do you think I should get? most places charge $175/hr with one hour minimum

 

[cbg]

Personally, I don't think you're entitled to anything at all except MAYBE the cost of the parts. Nothing at all for labor - you had no business doing it yourself.

 

[Zigner]

$74/hr is dirt cheap

but $75/hr is cheap for labor. so what do you think I should get? most places charge $175/hr with one hour minimum

YOU are not a mechanic, obviously. YOU won't get anything for "labor" or time spent.