Hertz Charging a Tesla Renter for Gas Was Not an Isolated Incident
Hertz’s practice of charging renters of Tesla and other EVs for gasoline they never used is prompting broader criticism of rental-car billing tactics and opaque “fees.” Commenters recount wrongful theft reports, bogus damage and cleaning charges, and hard-to-contest toll and fuel add-ons, arguing that these are often systemic, profit-driven behaviors rather than isolated mistakes. Many call for stronger consumer protections—such as limits on forced arbitration, meaningful penalties, or even structural limits on corporate size—to address the power imbalance that lets large companies extract small, hard-to-fight sums from individuals.
Overbilling: Error, Fraud, or Theft?
- Many see gas fees on EVs and similar charges as straightforward theft or “fraudulent billing,” regardless of whether caused by incompetence.
- Others argue theft requires intent; if it’s a billing mistake corrected when caught, it’s not legally theft.
- Counterpoint: when “mistakes” are systematic, profitable, and persist until media attention, people suspect intentional overcharging hidden behind “incompetence.”
Hertz’s Broader Track Record
- Commenters reference prior scandals where Hertz’s systems led to customers being falsely reported for car theft, arrested, and jailed, sometimes even after cars were returned.
- Some argue these life‑ruining harms should trigger lifetime compensation or severe corporate penalties; others see abuse risk but agree liability is far too low.
Legal Recourse, Class Actions, and Arbitration
- Class actions are viewed as slow, with most money going to lawyers and small payouts to victims.
- Mandatory arbitration and class‑action waivers are seen as major barriers; some note courts have upheld these repeatedly.
- Suggestions include: stronger AG/consumer protection enforcement, banning forced arbitration, “corporate death penalties,” or criminal liability up the management chain.
Software, “Incompetence,” and Incentives
- Many think poorly designed automated systems and offshored support drive these errors.
- Others stress “big company incompetence” is itself profit‑seeking: underfund compliance, let systems overbill, and fix only squeaky wheels.
- Hanlon’s Razor is criticized because feigned incompetence can mask deliberate policy.
Credit Cards, Chargebacks, and Power Imbalance
- Some report easy reversals via chargebacks; others describe issuers siding with merchants and failed disputes.
- Even successful chargebacks can lead to collections threats or account bans.
- There’s frustration that companies can damage credit or demand payment with little proof, while consumers face high time costs and uncertain outcomes.
Rental Car Industry Patterns and “Gotchas”
- Numerous anecdotes across brands: bogus fuel charges, toll “convenience” fees, cleaning/smoking fees, damage claims, minimum/maximum mileage fees, and opaque invoices.
- Several note all “errors” seem to favor the company, echoing similar patterns in supermarkets and subscription services.
Consumer Coping Tactics
- Common advice: take photos/video at pickup and drop‑off, keep fuel receipts, get a printed check‑in/receipt, and avoid upsells (fuel plans, insurance, toll packages).
- Some advocate small‑claims filings or coordinated waves of claims to make overbilling unprofitable, though arbitration clauses may limit this.
Systemic Proposals and Critiques
- Ideas floated: caps on corporate size, stronger enforcement of consumer laws, per‑incident fines plus compensation for customer time, and better public legal support.
- Thread reflects broad pessimism about a “corporatocracy” where large firms face far less accountability than individuals.