23 Jul 2011 9:58 AM:

Didn't realise my post was still doing the rounds, if you will forgive the pun. Dan from Tipoa is wrong in his claim that the fuel rip off doesn't matter much after three days. I've lost count of the number of times I have returned a car after a week's hire with the fuel over three quarters full with no refund, livid in the knowledge that the next customer will be charged again for this. I even bought a syphon and tried on several occasions to get the fuel out to give to a neighbour but the hire companies even had restrictors fitted in the fuel pipe. After much research and effort it is possible to get fuel full/full but you still have to be careful. For example, Economy Car Hire offer this but only with some of the cars on offer so you have to carefully read the fuel policy for each car. The best ones seem to be Dickmanns and Centauro. Anywhere you see a car with "Free excess insurance" offered is ALWAYS on a fuel full/empty basis. I always print out the fuel policy when booking on-line as the staff at the hire car desk in the the airport will sometimes try to claim that the full/full option is not available. Just like those other rip-off merchants Ryanair, you have to know the game and play by their rules. Credit card charges when booking with Ryanair? No chance. I got a Mastercard debit card with caxtonfx and each booking only costs £1.50 irrespective of the number of travellers. As a group of six, this saves us £70.50 each round trip.

This message was last edited by ned kelly on 23/07/2011.
Thread: New blow-in, the litter and the Car Hire Fuel Charges

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15 Nov 2008 10:49 AM:

Does anyone know if the monies paid to Telmicro can be reclaimed from the Spanish authorities? I believe over half a millon euros were seized in cash. All my payments were made through my Halifax account and I have a statement for each withdrawal.

 

This message was last edited by ned kelly on 11/15/2008.
Thread: Telemicro Levante

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18 Aug 2007 7:29 PM:

Thanks Mark for the suggestion. The idea had crossed my mind but the idea of storing cans of petrol at my home made me shudder, what with the heat and everything,,,, it just wouldn't be worth it. With a view to giving the excess fuel to one of my neighbours,  I bought a siphon on e-bay and tried to remove some of the fuel but couldn't get the hose past the filter on the car's fuel line. In frustration I started to drive back to the airport in second gear just to burn fuel but was getting strange looks from everyone I passed on the N332 so I had to desist.

From now on I'll specify a diesel car which is very easy to siphon and a much safer fuel to store.

Thread: New blow-in, the litter and the Car Hire Fuel Charges

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18 Aug 2007 12:00 AM:

Hi everyone in sunny Spain. As a new non-resident blow-in from Norn Iron (a.k.a. Northern Ireland to the rest of you mere mortals) I am quickly discovering the oddities about this part of the world. Firstly, I have discovered that all of the surviving members of the Waffen SS have set up home in the Costa Blanca and are masquerading as pool guardians in each of the urbanisations. I know that Basil used to say "don't mention the war!" but is it not time that these people were told that they lost?

Secondly, do the town councils here not have any responsibility or regard for the litter problem? The N332 from Alicante airport to Cabo Roig is like a continuous fly-tip with all types of litter lying bleached in the sun. Each time we bring out new friends and family, they all comment on it- are we the only ones who notice this?

On another note, Is there anyone who can put pressure on the car hire comapnies to stop the scandalous practice where a full tank of fuel is supplied but one is expected to leave the car back empty?

We normally travel to our holiday home in Torrevieja a week at a time and usually return the car with the tank over three quarters full. The cost of the fuel almost equals the rental charges.

These companies know it is unlikely someone will return the car empty as no-one is going to risk missing their flight having run out of fuel on the AP7 or N332. So in effect, the hire companies are charging each subsequent driver for the same fuel over and over again. Surely this is immoral if not illegal

I note that the link in the Eyesonspain website connects to a company which also operates this policy. Can eyesonspain not use any influence or contacts they have within the Spanish system to change this?

Thread: New blow-in, the litter and the Car Hire Fuel Charges

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