We hired a motorhome and paid the hire cost and the deposit on a credit card (as it was done over the phone). The deposit was to cover damage to items wihilst in our care.
The vehicle was returned with no damage and signed for accordingly.a cheque for the full deposit was promised within 21 days (as per the hire agreement) - that 21 day period has now elapsed and no cheque.
Emails are ignored and phone calls go unanswered.

What should be the next step? The company is still trading and has even updated their website for 2007.

Anyone else been in this position??
Any 'sensible' advice would be appreciated

Rob

Are you unable to see them in person? If so, a letter from a solicitor or maybe begin small claims court proceedings; it's really easy to do.

Go down there personally and create a stink in front of other customers.

I concur.

Hello

You can also get your credit card company involved, as they have taken money but not delivered any agreed service.

Steve

Ring your credit card co now & put the amount under protest, (it doesn't matter if you've settled your bill with cc co.)

D

I worked for a car dealership years ago, lady bought a car, it went wrong loads of times & the dealership kept ignoring her.
One day she turned up outside (public footpath) with a large sign reading "dont buy a car here they rip you off" etc & walked up & down with it.
Amazing how quickly they sorted it out when she did that !

R.

Agree, explain to your credit card co and they will stop/reverse payment to the hire co. Just because an amount appears on your bill doesn't mean the cc company have actually given them anything.

wow - thanks everyone, replies already!!

I have written to my CC company stating that money has been obtained by deception.
The hire place is not far from me so went down yesterday, place is open but no-one one site.

Can a solicitor letter be delivered to a PO Box as that is part of the company's registered address?

Cheers

No need to write to your cc co.....ring 'em up !

D

Is it a limited company? How much is the amount for?

Dunk
Yeah I did that first of all. the customer services advised that the details should be put in writing with the full history of the payment and the facts. So I sent my letter off last night.

Yes the company is limited - deposit was £1,000.00

update:
went to the offices yesterday - gates were open but the office was locked and no one else around
Have emailed to advise that i will instruct solicitors on monday to commence recovery and also left a message on the answerphone advising the same.

Waiting for response from CC co.

Has anyone ever used media coverage to highlight a company's wrong doings with success??

sounds to me like they're probably going bust.... I'd hurry up with cc company if I were you!

Credit card charge-back. Easy.

Simon

I heard of a good one recently, which was not to threaten the company with small claims court, but threaten to sue one of the directors personally to recover the money - suggest the finance director or MD if you can get their name. Write to them directly at the company. The directors are responsible for the actions of the company and should be fully aware of what is going on in it.

By sueing them personally they can not hide behind the name of the company and shouldn't want a proceeding brought against them

Did you receive your copy of the credit card voucher when you paid for the hire and deposit - either by post or when you collected vehicle? Are you sure they actually charged your card for the deposit and didn't just hold onto the number in case there was some damage?

In fact I see no reason why the deposit should be refunded by cheque as they could just as easily refund your card. And was it a credit, rather than debit, card as the rules are different IIRC? Maybe the boss has just taken a break at the end of the season; just possible. Good luck. dl