AGE RAGE
I was denied a rental car over an odd rule – the company said it was my ‘mistake’ but I was $1,000 out of pocket
He shared what his next steps were after his rental was denied
A SENIOR citizen said he was nearly $1,000 out of pocket after an age rule he was initially unaware of.
Houston Eubank had paid $287 to rent a car but was told he would not be able to drive it when he went to pick it up.
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Eubank, 76, said the car rental company told him he was too old and was turned away, according to .
He was later promised a refund of the money but he shared what had happened in the meantime.
"I stepped up to the counter to pick up my car and they said, 'You're over 74, You can't have a car,'” Eubank said.
The senior had rented a car through the travel agency Travelocity and went to collect his vehicle at a local company called Routes Car Rental in Ottawa, Canada.
Eubank had not seen the note in the “Merchant Rules” section of the Terms and Conditions that stated there was an upper age limit of 74 for locals.
"I stepped up to the counter to pick up my car and they said, 'You're over 74, You can't have a car,'" he said.
"I asked for my money back and they said, 'No, no we won't refund it. It's your mistake,'" he added.
The 76-year-old said he had attempted to rent the vehicle to go on a road trip and visit his grandchildren in New York.
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Eubank ended up spending $631.65 on a last-minute replacement car for his journey.
“I ended up paying almost $1,000 for this trip,” he said.
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The senior added that he had chased the refund for a year and even tried to take it to Consumer Protection Ontario.
Eubank said he was not able to receive assistance through them as the amount of money lost was too low.
“Your dispute does not meet our criteria for medication or other or other action… due to the amount in dispute,” a letter to Eubank wrote.
Route Car Rental later apologized to Eubank and said the age limit was related to optional insurance and the enforcement was a misunderstanding with a newer employee.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Routes Car Rental for comment.
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