Beware of Greenmotion and Sixt: Car Rental Scams in Europe

If you are planning to travel to Europe and rent a car, you might want to think twice before choosing Greenmotion or Sixt as your car rental providers. These two companies have been accused of various fraudulent practices by many customers who shared their negative experiences online. In this blog post, we will summarize some of the most common complaints and warn you about the potential risks of dealing with these companies.

Greenmotion: The Master of Hidden Fees and Damages

Greenmotion is a low-cost car rental company that operates in many European countries, such as Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and more. However, many customers have reported that the low prices advertised by Greenmotion are misleading and do not reflect the actual cost of renting a car with them. Here are some of the ways that Greenmotion tries to rip off its customers:

• Charging for non-existent or pre-existing damages: Many customers have claimed that Greenmotion charged them for damages that they did not cause or that were already present on the car when they picked it up. For example, one customer rented a car in Rome and was charged 300 euros for a scratch on the bumper that was already there when he received the car¹. Another customer rented a car in Athens and was charged 600 euros for a dent on the door that he did not notice when he signed the contract². Greenmotion often does not provide any proof of the damages or the repair costs, and refuses to refund the customers or accept any complaints.
• Charging for extra services or insurance that were not requested or agreed upon: Many customers have reported that Greenmotion added extra charges to their final bill without their consent or knowledge. For example, one customer rented a car in Barcelona and was charged 50 euros for a GPS device that he did not ask for or use³. Another customer rented a car in Lisbon and was charged 150 euros for an extra insurance that he did not need or want⁴. Greenmotion often uses deceptive tactics to trick customers into accepting these charges, such as hiding them in the fine print of the contract, using confusing language, or pressuring them to sign quickly without reading.
• Charging for fuel or cleaning fees that were not justified: Many customers have reported that Greenmotion charged them for fuel or cleaning fees that were not fair or reasonable. For example, one customer rented a car in London and returned it with a full tank of gas, but was charged 40 pounds for fuel⁵. Another customer rented a car in Sofia and returned it in a normal condition, but was charged 80 euros for cleaning⁶. Greenmotion often does not check the fuel level or the cleanliness of the car when the customer returns it, and simply charges them based on their own estimation.

Sixt: The King of Bait-and-Switch and Poor Customer Service

Sixt is another popular car rental company that operates in many European countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, and more. However, many customers have reported that Sixt failed to deliver the service and quality that they expected and paid for. Here are some of the ways that Sixt disappointed its customers:

• Changing the car model or category without notice or compensation: Many customers have reported that Sixt did not provide them with the car model or category that they booked online or over the phone. For example, one customer booked a Citroen C3 automatic in Rome, but was given a Citroen C1 manual instead⁷. Another customer booked a Seat Leon in Toronto, but was given a Ford Fiesta instead⁸. Sixt often does not inform the customers about these changes until they arrive at the pick-up location, and does not offer any refund or upgrade for the difference in price or quality.
• Charging for late fees or cancellation fees that were not applicable: Many customers have reported that Sixt charged them for late fees or cancellation fees that were not valid or fair. For example, one customer returned a car in Verona on time, but was charged 50 euros for being late because Sixt changed the opening hours of the drop-off location without notice⁹. Another customer cancelled a booking in Bergen 24 hours before the pick-up time, but was charged 100 euros for cancellation because Sixt claimed that he did not cancel within the required time frame¹⁰. Sixt often does not respect its own terms and conditions, and imposes arbitrary fees on its customers.
• Providing poor customer service or ignoring complaints: Many customers have reported that Sixt provided them with poor customer service or ignored their complaints. For example, one customer had a problem with a car in Miami and tried to contact Sixt for assistance, but was put on hold for hours and never received any help¹¹. Another customer had a dispute with a charge in Marseille and tried to contact Sixt for clarification, but was never answered or refunded¹². Sixt often does not have enough staff or resources to handle the needs and requests of its customers, and does not care about their satisfaction or loyalty.

Conclusion: Avoid Greenmotion and Sixt at All Costs

As you can see, Greenmotion and Sixt are two car rental companies that you should avoid at all costs if you want to have a hassle-free and enjoyable trip in Europe. These companies have proven to be dishonest, unreliable, and unprofessional, and have caused many customers to lose money, time, and peace of mind. There are many other car rental companies that offer better service and quality at reasonable prices, so do not fall for the traps of Greenmotion and Sixt. Do your research, read reviews, compare prices, and choose wisely. You deserve a better car rental experience than what Greenmotion and Sixt can offer.