Surprise! Car Rental Company Charged Me $180 for Cleaning After Returning the Vehicle Spotless

A mother from Australia has criticized a car rental business following her request to pay a $180 cleaning charge for what she alleged was a fabricated mess.

Narissa Cullen, 34, from Perth , rented a vehicle from Bargain Car Rentals Brisbane For a fortnight during a family vacation to Queensland in March.

Ms. Cullen mentioned that she and her companion soon found out the vehicle was fraught with several problems, such as a defective headlight and GPS system.

When the time came to bring back the car, Ms. Cullen and her companion refueled it. petrol and returned it to Brisbane Airport.

They captured images of the inside, revealing that they had abandoned two beverage containers in the central compartment and a minor quantity of sand with some grass on the floor mats.

Ms. Cullen mentioned she was taken aback upon their arrival in Perth, as they found out the firm had imposed an $180 cleansing charge.

The firm provided images demonstrating that the beverage containers were scattered across the driver’s side floor area and there was a mark on the seat which Ms Cullen claimed did not originate from her household.

The firm stated that their policies required the car to be "returned in a reasonably cleaned condition." They also mentioned that due to the state of the vehicle upon its return, they deemed it necessary to conduct both a steam cleaning and additional detailing.

The firm stated that their rules required the car to be returned in a reasonably cleaned state. They added that due to how dirty the vehicle was upon being brought back, they had to undertake both a steam cleaning and additional detailing work as a consequence.

However, Ms Cullen contended that the firm's images did not correspond with what she had seen herself.

The mark on the front seat looked dark and new, she mentioned.

"You can tell that the cleaners might have accidentally spilled it. I'm not sure if they did so intentionally and then placed the cups on the floor," she explained.

Ms Cullen challenged the charge with the firm, requesting timestamped photographs, which were not supplied. She additionally shared a clip on TikTok regarding the dispute.

"It was quite distressing, irritating, and taxing. Since I was 30 weeks pregnant, we really couldn’t handle additional stress," she mentioned.

'There were many exchanges, numerous phone calls, but they rejected all responsibility – it wasn’t until I uploaded the TikTok that we received our refund.'

An email sent to Ms. Cullen by a team member at Bargain Car Rentals on March 18 stated: "Following additional investigation, I have initiated the cleaning charge for your records."

I definitely understand your perspective after reviewing the additional photographs, and it appears that we overlooked a step in our procedure, which was unfair to you. To clarify, we failed to reach out to you prior to charging your account.

Ms. Cullen expressed her concern that others might be subjected to an unjust cleaning charge.

"Who all is affected by this besides older individuals who lack the means and understanding to obtain a reimbursement?" she questioned.

The Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Bargain Car Rentals for their input.

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