All Seasons Campervans

My wife and myself, during last September/October rented a campervan
from Sydney-based "All Seasons Campervans".
During the trip, we had a mechanical problem. For this, we weren't to blame
at all or had no responsibility. After being contacted by us, the company
decided on a repair by a car-repairer in the vicinity of where we dwelled.
When, after the journey, we returned the car, everything seemed all right.
They even completely refunded our warrant.
But after our return home (Belgium) we found them using our credit card to
make us pay for the repair. Inevitably, when renting a campervan, you have
to sign that they keep the right to use your credit card even after you
bring back the car, so to pay fines, hidden damages, a.s.o.
By a lot of e-mails we could prove ourselves completely innocent for the
mechanical problem, but argumenting was pointless: they just wanted our
money, they got it, and they would in no way refund it.
I requested the credit card company VISA to cancel the payment, but to no
avail: they said they're only allowed to judge if the payment is "technical"
right, and so it was.
After five times having visited Australia, it's the first time we are
purposedly
cheated on. That's why we are in some way a bit shocked by this event,
especially because as a foreigner you are vulnerable and unable to properly
defend yourself.
Someone knows another possibility to having refund our money? Or someone
else has
the same experiences with this company?

hedwig

If you did not authorise the transaction then advise VISA to that effect.

If that does not bring results seek advice from local police.

Ross

"hedwig" <hedwig@tiscalinetpuntjebe> wrote in message
news:o46dnU1fyNPRLUHeRVny3g@scarlet.biz...
> My wife and myself, during last September/October rented a campervan
> from Sydney-based "All Seasons Campervans".
> During the trip, we had a mechanical problem. For this, we weren't to
> blame
> at all or had no responsibility. After being contacted by us, the company
> decided on a repair by a car-repairer in the vicinity of where we dwelled.
> When, after the journey, we returned the car, everything seemed all right.
> They even completely refunded our warrant.
> But after our return home (Belgium) we found them using our credit card to
> make us pay for the repair. Inevitably, when renting a campervan, you have
> to sign that they keep the right to use your credit card even after you
> bring back the car, so to pay fines, hidden damages, a.s.o.
> By a lot of e-mails we could prove ourselves completely innocent for the
> mechanical problem, but argumenting was pointless: they just wanted our
> money, they got it, and they would in no way refund it.
> I requested the credit card company VISA to cancel the payment, but to no
> avail: they said they're only allowed to judge if the payment is
> "technical"
> right, and so it was.
> After five times having visited Australia, it's the first time we are
> purposedly
> cheated on. That's why we are in some way a bit shocked by this event,
> especially because as a foreigner you are vulnerable and unable to
> properly
> defend yourself.
> Someone knows another possibility to having refund our money? Or someone
> else has
> the same experiences with this company?
>
> hedwig
>
>
>
>

"Ross" <rwanddem@m> schreef in bericht
news:43ddb377$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> If you did not authorise the transaction then advise VISA to that effect.

I did. Please read what I wrote about VISA in my post.

> If that does not bring results seek advice from local police.

What do you mean with "local"? Police of Sydney, I guess?
Didn't try that yet.

hedwig

In Australia I use MasterCard but I do not deal with MasterCard direct but
through my credit provider viz. my bank.

I have only ever queried my bank once but they bent over backwards to help
me sort out a problem with a charge to my credit card account.

Is the system for you similar or different?

By local police I mean the police nearest to you. Especially if there is a
special squad with whom you can speak like a "fraud squad" or similar.

Ross

"hedwig" <hedwig@tiscalinetpuntjebe> wrote in message
news:Q7idnXAhd8FFi0PeRVnyiQ@scarlet.biz...
>
> "Ross" <rwanddem@m> schreef in bericht
> news:43ddb377$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
>> If you did not authorise the transaction then advise VISA to that effect.
>
> I did. Please read what I wrote about VISA in my post.
>
>> If that does not bring results seek advice from local police.
>
> What do you mean with "local"? Police of Sydney, I guess?
> Didn't try that yet.
>
> hedwig
>
>
>

"Ross" <rwanddem@m> wrote in message
news:43dfe47e@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

>
> By local police I mean the police nearest to you. Especially if there is
a
> special squad with whom you can speak like a "fraud squad" or similar.
>
> >
> >> If that does not bring results seek advice from local police.
> >
> > What do you mean with "local"? Police of Sydney, I guess?
> > Didn't try that yet.

I rather think the local police are likely to consider that this is a civil
rather than criminal matter and take nothing to do with it. You had entered
into a "contract" with the hire firm and are arguing over the amount of
money they have charged you, not that they had no right to take any money.

The local Trading Standards officer might be more appropriate, although I
doubt if they could do much about an event which happened overseas.