Avis Car Rental --- Cleaning Fee Scam
The note below I sent to Avis describes my issue:
I received a letter from Avis dated June 12 that said I would be charged $450 for cleaning of my recent rental, which was returned on June 7. Customer Service agent I called said that car was found to have smoke smell and ashes, and Avis had photos to verify. I strongly protested, saying no such problems were present when I returned the vehicle. I do not smoke, nor does my wife or anyone who was in the car during the rental. Agent asked why I didn't take photos to prove the car was clean --- obviously, I had no reason to take photos, since the car was clean and I had nothing to prove. Call to agent was eventually cut off. I believe that any smoke/ashes damage occurred AFTER I surrendered the vehicle, and there is no way I should be charged $450 for cleaning. I want to get copies of photos showing the problem. Regardless, I did not cause the problem.
They have refused to accept my denial of the problem, nor have they provided me with their "evidence." From what I've read online, this is not uncommon. Sometimes they confuse one car for another, and I suppose sometimes an Avis employee decides to take a smoke break.