SIXT CAR-HIRE - INTERNET RIP-OFF

SIXT CAR-HIRE - INTERNET RIP-OFF

FROM WORLD BEATING DESIGNERS
TO INTERNET CHEATS.

28th Sept 2018 

Dear M Dupuy

SIXT Car Hire website scam

I cancelled the car-hire within 15 minutes of attempting and failing to use your website, which repeatedly asked for the details of and charged for a non-existent 2^nd driver. The website would not allow any change – so I switched it off. I did not complete any car-hire agreement with you. If you steal several hundred euros from me for spending 15 minutes on your website – I cannot trust you not to add other huge fictitious charges if I actually used a car. This is attempted theft via an Internet Scam. I have cancelled the credit-card payment you took without permission or providing any service. You, or Sixt, is a criminal.

Noel Hodson

22^nd Sept 2018 6.30pm London time. 15 minutes after quitting your website.

Please cancel this reservation and return my payment.

I made mistakes in booking – Thank you.

9867642783 

Noel HODSON - Author

*****

EU LAW

According to the European Commission, the Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights (the “Directive“) aims at “achieving a real-business-to-consumer (B2C) internal market, striking the right balance between a high level of consumer protection and the competitiveness of businesses“. Is this really so? How are companies going to be impacted, in France and the UK?

A. What the Directive is about

The Directive replaces, as of 13 June 2014, Directive 97/7/EC on the protection of consumers in respect of distant contracts and Directive 85/577/EEC to protect consumer in respect of contracts negotiated away from business premises.

Directive 1999/44/EC on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees, as well as Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms in consumer contracts, remain in force but are amended by the Directive.

Member-states had to transpose the Directive into national law by 13 December 2013. Member-states must apply the national laws implementing the Directive from 13 June 2014.

As detailed in its press release and guidance document, the European Commission has identified 10 most important changes for consumers, as follows.

1. The Directive will eliminate hidden charges and costs on the internet

Consumers will be protected against “cost traps” on the Internet. This happens when fraudsters try to trick people into paying for ‘free’ services, such as horoscopes or recipes. From now on, consumers must explicitly confirm that they understand that they have to pay a price.

2. Increased price transparency

Traders have to disclose the total cost of the product or service, as well as any extra fees.

3. Banning pre-ticked boxes on websites

When shopping online – for instance buying a plane ticket – you may be offered additional options during the purchase process, such as travel insurance or car rental. These additional services may be offered through so-called ‘pre-ticked’ boxes. Consumers are currently often forced to untick those boxes if they do not want these extra services. With the new Directive, pre-ticked boxes will be banned across the European Union.

4. 14 days to change your mind on a purchase (compared to the 7 days legally prescribed before)

If the trader has not clearly informed the customer about the withdrawal right, the return period will be extended to 1 year.

5. Better refund rights

Traders must refund consumers for the product within 14 days of the withdrawal. This includes the costs of delivery.

6. Introduction to a EU-wide model withdrawal form

Consumers will be provided with a model withdrawal form which they can use if they change their mind and wish to withdraw from a contract concluded at a distance or at the doorstep.

UK Law

You have a 14 day cooling off period when the credit agreement is signed:

·         through a broker

·         through an intermediary

·         At distance e.g. over the phone

Note the 14 days doesn’t begin until you formally receive notification about how to cancel the contract.  Additionally, the creditor may make a reasonable charge for services that you enjoyed prior to cancellation.  There is more detail here in the wordpress-186172-549002.cloudwaysapps.com guide to cooling off.

What is the purpose of the Consumer Credit Act 2006?

What is the 14 day cooling off period?

If you entered into the contract over the phone, online or on your doorstep, you have14 calendar days to cancel the contract under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. The cooling-off period starts the day after you agree to go ahead with the service.

Noel HODSON - Author

From: service.clientele@sixt.com <service.clientele@sixt.com>
Sent: 26 September 2018 13:38
To: noel@noelhodson.com
Subject: Re: RE: RE: RE: Your reservation 9867642783 on 10/19/2018, Cannes Train Station SNCF

Dear Mr. Hodson,

We regret that you do not understand but we have not done anything. You made a mistake you cancelled the booking while you were informed about the cancellation fee policy. 

If you make again a booking with Sixt for the same place and date for a price of 228,80 € or more, we would be able to waive the cancellation fee as an exceptional goodwill.

Best regards 

Anthony Dupuy

Service clientèle

Sixt SAS
Euroairport
68300 Saint Louis
Téléphone : +33-3 89 08 6113
Fax : + 33 3 90 22 80 63
Site Internet: www.sixt.fr
Le blog de Sixt: www.sixtblog.fr

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SixtFrance
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SixtFR

Sixt pour iPhone & BlackBerry: www.sixt.fr/mobile

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Original Mail vom Tue, 25 Sep 2018 18:47:58 +0100 - DE-41760757

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I have cancelled the payment via my credit-card. And I will daily broadcast this scam to the world until you apologise and return any money you have retained.

My blog has had more than 150,000 readers. This attempted theft will be very, very expensive for you in lost business.

I advise you to inform your directors and shareholders of the real costs of trying to cheat customers.

Noel HODSON - Author

Sci-Fi & Socio-Economics

16 Brookside, OXFORD OX3 7PJ, UK

Tel 01865 760994 Cell 07713 681216

Blogs:

POLITICS & ECONOMICS

Books:

AD2516 - After Global Warming

Out of the Depths - Inundated London

Dancing on the Half-Beat 1942-1962

From: service.clientele@sixt.com <service.clientele@sixt.com>
Sent: 25 September 2018 16:25
To: noel@noelhodson.com
Subject: Re: RE: RE: Your reservation 9867642783 on 10/19/2018, Cannes Train Station SNCF

Dear Mr. Hodson,

We regret that you pressed the wrong buttons but we are not responsible of this mistake. 

We confirm you that the 171,60 €charge will stand. We are sorry that we are unable to reply more in accordance with your wishes on this occasion. 

Best regards

Anthony Dupuy

Service clientèle

Sixt SAS
Euroairport
68300 Saint Louis
Téléphone : +33-3 89 08 6113
Fax : + 33 3 90 22 80 63
Site Internet: www.sixt.fr
Le blog de Sixt: www.sixtblog.fr

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SixtFrance
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SixtFR

Sixt pour iPhone & BlackBerry: www.sixt.fr/mobile

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Original Mail vom Tue, 25 Sep 2018 15:45:58 +0100 - DE-41760757

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I dispute your right to charge E171.60. I simply pressed the wrong buttons when booking and then cancelled it within 30 minutes.

Your charge is a criminal theft – a scam. Please advise that it has been cancelled.

I have posted this on Trip Advisor and will if necessary contact the Cannes Police to recover the money you have stolen.

1. Re: AutoEurope Sixt car rental scam

25 Sep 2018, 15:35

25th Sept 2018 - Yesterday I made an online car-rental booking for a Sixt car at Cannes railway station. I accidentally ticked for an additional driver and tried to cancel that. The site kept reverting to the 2 driver option and charged for it - continually asking for 2nd driver details. After 15 minutes I cancelled out of the site and booked elsewhere. Today, Sixt sent me a bill for 176 euro for cancellation of a "confirmed" booking. They have taken the entire price 220 euro from my credit card. This is theft and a crooked scam. Never, ever book with Sixt - they are crooks. Trustcard said they would register a "dispute" which sounds like a long costly process - after some discussion they said they would instead trigger the 14 day cooling off period and cancel the payment to Sixt. Watch this space...

Noel Hodson

From: service.clientele@sixt.com <service.clientele@sixt.com>
Sent: 25 September 2018 13:40
To: noel@noelhodson.com
Subject: Re: RE: Your reservation 9867642783 on 10/19/2018, Cannes Train Station SNCF

Dear Mr. Hodson,

We would like to draw your attention on the fact that you validated a prepaid reservation.

To guarantee the most attractive prices, the conditions of these reservations are more restrictive than those of the reservations with payment on arrival. When choosing to cancel the latter, the cancellation fee amounts to a maximal value of 3 days of rental.
However, to ensure flexibility in case of unforeseen circumstances, we offer you the possibly to modify your reservation instead of cancelling it.

Our reservation center is available 24/7 to help you if you have questions or difficulties to adjust your booking.

In your case, we confirm you that further to your confirmation of cancellation of your reservation, a fee of 171,60 euros will be retained. To know more about it, you can check our general terms and conditions on our website.

Nevertheless, we would like to remind you that to adapt us to your needs, we offer two types of reservations. We invite you to compare them before validating the one that suits you best. You have the possibility to make a reservation with payment on arrival, the cancellation and modifications are free of charge in this case.

We trust that the above explanation is helpful. For any further questions, please contact us again.

Best regards 

Anthony Dupuy

Service clientèle

Sixt SAS
Euroairport
68300 Saint Louis
Téléphone : +33-3 89 08 6113
Fax : + 33 3 90 22 80 63
Site Internet: www.sixt.fr
Le blog de Sixt: www.sixtblog.fr

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SixtFrance
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SixtFR

Sixt pour iPhone & BlackBerry: www.sixt.fr/mobile

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Original Mail vom Sat, 22 Sep 2018 18:30:18 +0100 - DE-41760757

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Reservation Confirmation 

Please cancel this reservation and return my payment. I made mistakes in booking – Thank you.

9867642783 

Noel HODSON - Author

From: SIXT <res-fr@sixt.com>
Sent: 22 September 2018 18:00
To: noel@noelhodson.com
Subject: Your reservation 9867642783 on 10/19/2018, Cannes Train Station SNCF

Hello Mr. Hodson, Thank you very much for your reservation. We need to gather some additional information for your reservation on 10/19/2018. You can supply this information now or when picking up your reservation. ►  Save time at the counter by entering your details now. When you pick up the vehicle, please present your driver's license and ID card or passport. You will also need a payment method issued in your name and accepted by Sixt. When paying by credit card, it may be necessary to enter the PIN.

******  22^nd Sept 2018 6.30pm London time.

 Please cancel this reservation and return my payment. I made mistakes in booking – Thank you.

9867642783 

Noel HODSON - Author

S

From: SIXT <res-fr@sixt.com>
Sent: 22 September 2018 18:00
To: noel@noelhodson.com
Subject: Your reservation 9867642783 on 10/19/2018, Cannes Train Station SNCF

Reservation Confirmation Hello Mr. Hodson, Thank you very much for your reservation. We need to gather some additional information for your reservation on 10/19/2018. You can supply this information now or when picking up your reservation.