A car rental company in Jeju has sparked controversy over overcharging by imposing an additional fee of 450,000 won for returning a compact car one hour late. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] A car rental company in Jeju has sparked controversy after it was revealed that they charged an additional fee of approximately 450,000 KRW for returning a compact car one hour late.
University student A (23) paid 157,100 KRW through a car rental reservation agency on April 29 from 5 PM to May 1 at 8 AM and rented an Accent from B Rent-a-Car.
On the return day, May 1, A had to reduce speed due to unexpected bad weather. A contacted the company to inform them that the return might be delayed.
The company responded that extending the rental time was not possible, and if the next customer was waiting, they would have to provide another vehicle, with the upgrade cost to be borne by A.
Later, the company called A again, saying the next customer had arrived and was angry, and that only a mid-size sedan K5 was available as a replacement. They stated that A must pay an additional total of 450,000 KRW.
The company explained that the additional amount included 10,000 KRW for the one-hour extension and the difference between the K5 rental fee from May 1 to 4 and the Accent rental fee.
A could not understand why the price difference between the K5 and Accent was as high as 440,000 KRW. Also, A found it hard to accept that they had to bear the upgrade cost.
However, the company handed over the K5 to the next customer after A, and fearing missing their flight, A eventually paid the additional 450,000 KRW.
Afterward, A found the situation difficult to understand and filed a tourism inconvenience complaint with the Jeju Provincial Government and also lodged a complaint with the Korea Consumer Agency regarding the behavior of the rental reservation agency and B Rent-a-Car.
The Jeju Autonomous Police Unit stated, "After inquiring with the rental company, we received a response that they would cancel the credit card payment and reprocess the payment with the corrected amount." They added, "We will check the reported fees and rental terms, and if there are violations, we will notify the Jeju Transportation Policy Division."
Meanwhile, the company has not taken any refund or other measures for A.
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