Update on that rental agency that charged me $200 for a 'lost key' in Denver last month

Turned out my key was in my jacket pocket the whole time, but the lady at the counter refused to refund me even after I showed her the key. Has anyone else had a rental place pull something similar and actually gotten their money back?

4 comments

4 Comments

joelwells12d ago

Man, that's rough. I gotta ask @uma_johnson - did your credit card company actually side with you on the chargeback, or did they fight it? I've heard some cards are easier than others about disputing stuff like this. The lady at my counter straight up told me the fee was 'processing' and they couldn't stop it, which feels like a lie but I dont know how to prove it. Also, did you have to send them a copy of the contract or just explain what happened?

alice_palmer201d ago

Ugh that "processing" line is such a classic runaround, I swear they train them to say that. Honestly, I had to send my credit card company a copy of the contract and a photo of the key I found in my bag later, plus a screenshot of the time stamp. Ngl I felt like a total idiot because I literally found the key in the bottom of my beach bag after I already paid the fee, so I had to prove to my bank that I wasnt just making stuff up. Tbh though, the whole fight made me realize I need to start reading contracts like a crazy person before I sign anything, because I bet theres some tiny print that says they can charge you for the "service" of looking for the key or something dumb like that. My credit card company did side with me eventually, but it took like a month of back and forth emails where I felt like a whiny child complaining about a toy.

uma_johnson12d ago

Hold on, $200 for a lost key seems really steep. Most rental agencies have a cap on lost key fees, usually closer to $50 or $100, and they have to show you the actual cost of cutting a new key. If they kept your money without proof, that's probably against Colorado law. You should file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General's office, they handle stuff like this for rental car disputes. Also check your contract, some companies hide a clause that says any key fee is non refundable even if the key is found, but that sounds shady. I called my credit card company once for a similar thing and they did a chargeback, it was easier than fighting with the agency. Next time take a photo of the key in your hand right at the counter, that shuts them up fast.

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the_zara1d ago

Actually $200 is pretty close to standard for a lot of key fobs now, especially for newer cars with chipped keys. I replaced one for a 2022 Ford last year and it was $180 just for the fob, plus programming costs. Most rental agencies use dealer keys not universal blanks so that price isnt crazy. And honestly, take a photo of the key in your hand at the counter? That doesnt prove you didnt drop it somewhere five minutes later. Theyd just say congrats you had it once. The chargeback thing can work but its not a guarantee, a lot of cards will fight you on service based charges like this because they consider it a valid fee you agreed to in the contract. I think people underestimate how much these companies actually pay for replacements and pass the cost along. Filing with the AG might get attention but its a slow process and they usually only step in when theres a pattern of fraud not one disputed fee.