Am I cheated by car rental company?

[igwoo]

I rented a car and accidentally hit the bumper.
As my maximum liability is AUD$750, they charged it to my credit card explaining they will return the balance after repairing the car.
2 weeks have past and no refunds were made.

What I need to know is whether this can cost AUD$750.
What is the cost to repair or replace the bumper?
This is a Camry 2004 model. Thanks.

[CJCride]

Some repair the bumper nowadays. I would have have taken a close up of the damage. Have to wait and see, they might take the High Road.

[igwoo]

Thanks

Is this close enough to access the damage? That's all I have, I should have taken more pictures of it. It seems to me like a small damage that does not require 750 to repair.
This is dragging a bit too long for my comfort.
I am requesting for the repair charges from the rental company, but they are really slow to get back to me.

[igwoo]

I'm fine if they choose to replace the bumper, but how much on average should a new bumper (including paint job and labour) cost?

[CJCride]

I hear ya. Let them know you are concerned w/a fair settlement for both parties. If they are given time maybe one will show up at a wrecker. Looks like the car is still rentable.

Credit Cards companies give you the option of contesting charges that are potential Ripoffs.


Addendum: Just saw the Closeup, Good Work! I'm not a Bodyman but I bet that can be repaired, get the fog light at a wrecker

[CJCride]

By the way that wasn't a baby Kangaroo you hit, was it?

[igwoo]

Thanks a lot for your advise, CJCride.
But I can't say it is a ripoff unless I know the approximate price to fix this.
I am seeing really cheap prices online and I know they are unlikely to reflect the actual workshop repair prices.

[igwoo]

Originally Posted by CJCride

By the way that wasn't a baby Kangaroo you hit, was it?

Unfortunately something like that, but not a baby

[CJCride]

There are people on this site who dwarf my knowledge of Toyota's, be patient you will impressed.

[TedL]

It's going to vary with parts and labor pricing in Australia, but I wouldn't be spending any of that hoped for refund before I got it. From looking at pricing on similar parts for an 03 Avalon, the bumper cover and fog lamp come to around $400 US. Then there's paint, primer, clearcoat, supplies, and, of course, labor. Easily another $300 USD at the low end. And your 750 AUS is worth about 630 US.

[igwoo]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll definitely take note of that.
But there doesn't seem to be a fog light to begin with. Or am I missing something?
Sorry, I am really a noob on cars. :P

[CJCride]

I see, you got a bit lucky, cus there is no fog light. That plastic "plate" piece thats missing may have just been knocked in & down onto the top of the splash shield. Happened to my Corolla when i pushed a snow bank last winter. Reach in and down toward the front of the vehicle it should be there. the part is $66.00CDN for Corolla.

[TedL]

Originally Posted by CJCride

the part is $66.00CDN for Corolla.

...compared to about $150 US for a fog light for an 03 Avy.

Fog lights are an option, depending on trim. All I had to go on was the picture, which only showed one side, with a hole. OP, on the other hand, can see that the other side has the cover plate on the hole.

By me, low end body shops advertise bumper tear repairs for $400+/- US, which includes everything like labor & paint. The missing chunk may make it unsuitable for such an approach, but even if it doesn't, there's not much reason for the car company to settle for a second class repair job.

[igwoo]

the rental company quoted me AUD$674 for the repair charges this morning.
I'm still waiting for the invoice from the bodyshop.
What do you guys think?

[igwoo]

The other side of the bumper.
Don't worry, nothing was harmed :P