Sicily By Car
reviews and complaints

I hired a car from Sicily by Car and when I collected the car I was handed the keys and that was it, I had to go and find the car myself in the car park. I documented the damage on the outside and went about my holiday. On return I used the key drop service because I had an early flight. A week later I am being charged £316.40 for a missing tyre inflation kit. Why anyone in their right mind would risk being charged for something so menial is ridiculous. Having contacted Sicily by Car, they have said they have investigated this and because staff say there was one on board, it is my word against theirs. This is obviously a scam to charge people because no one comes with you to check the car over. I have escalated this further because it isn't fair that they can do this to people. Customer service is disgusting and un-professional.

Hello,

I need an invoice for my car rental accroding to rental agreemant number [protected]

I usually get an invoice in my mail after returning rental cars I did not get one this time.

Can you please send me an invoice.

Pick Up Date 24/05/2022

Rental agreement [protected]

Pick up Office : BOLOGNA APT

Reservation reference : [protected]

Thanks in advance.

Best regards.

Jules Boustani

On Monday 6th June we picked up a car from Sicily by Car at Malta International Airport. After paying for the car itself, a deposit, and an extra driver, we were recommended full coverage for the car. This was explained to us as ‘full coverage for everything that may go wrong’. We also took this out and drove the car away. Immediately the brakes were grinding and the car generally felt unsafe. After parking in Birgu (15 minute drive from the airport) we left the car for two days before needing to use it.

On Wednesday 8th June we tried to open the car door but the battery was flat. We checked the lights but none had been left on. Our only option was to call the company, who were incredibly dismissive and unhelpful before finally being put in touch with someone on WhatsApp who would come and jumpstart the car. Eventually this happened, but we were charged another 171 euros despite having been offered full coverage (as supposedly roadside assistance wasn’t in this package, which had not been explained to us). After running the car for 30 minutes to keep the battery working, we drove away to hear the brakes grinding again. The car generally felt unsafe, and we did not have the money to afford another call out, so we drove the car back to the airport.

The staff at the airport were helpful and understanding, but it took all morning to agree for the car to be changed. Eventually, we were given a new car. We asked for this to be inspected before we drove off so we didn’t have similar issues and the car subsequently passed inspection. It was only when we got in the car that an error message came up (photograph attached) which warned that the car had engine failure. This, in general, is completely and utterly unacceptable - this put our lives and potential others’ lives at risk. I have also attached another photo, where airport staff asked me to write the problem down on a post-it-note and stick this on the keys. This was incredibly unprofessional and could easily have been removed. Eventually, after another hour-long wait, we were given another car that did not display any error messages.

The whole experience felt incredibly unsafe and below the standards of care expected when working with vehicles.

Best wishes,

Emma.

FW: Your Rentalcars.com Request - Ref: [protected]

Otto Olthoff

Van: Otto Olthoff

Verzonden: donderdag 2 juni 2022 12:14

Aan: [protected]@rentalcars.com

Onderwerp: Re: Your Rentalcars.com Request - Ref: [protected]

Dear all,

I was unable to get in touch with Sicily by Car in Bari. So I post thi message to you.

After returning the car at Sicily by Car at Bari airport, Siciy by Car has charged me for Euro 311,39. Could you send me an invoice?

Thanking you in advance,

Otto Olthoff

We where told because my partner Alan Withers was 83 years old he was over your limit of 80 year. I had seen nothing on the booking form referring to this. We went to the offiice just facing yours (Gold Car) with no problem and got another car. My Master Card is pursuing your refund £501.77

Your desk signed and stamped my booking receipt explaining the situation There for I hope you will return this money to my card with out delay.

Thanking you in advance of your swift attention on this matter.

Your Sincerely

Valerie Benkhebab /Alan Withers

Dear Sirs,

My name is Ciobanu Crina Manuela and I rented a car from you between 19 May and 22 May in Napoli (reservation ECAFD0FA) on the name Ciobanu Crina Manuela and registered driver Tanase Cristian Andrei.

When I made the reservation I paid with my personal credit card an amount of RON 393,13 (equivalent of aprox EUR 80), amount which was withdrawn from my account.

At the location, when we picked up the car in Napoli airport, another amount of 1,818.45 lei (equivalent of EUR 356,00) was paid by card Tanase Cristian Andrei and withdrawn from his account.

As resulting from the above (and proven by the attached bank excerpts), the amount paid with my card was not taken into account and the entire amount for the reservation was retained from Tanase Cristian Andrei’s card.

Please make the appropriate verifications and return the amount retained from my bank account to my account (find the details below):

Detalii cont: RO11PIRB42631H0683001000

Ciobanu Crina Manuela

Account in Lei

Thank you for your feedback on the above.

My best regards,

Crina

I did rent a car in Champino airport , they frizzed £650 on my credit card and it should release after 10 days of bring the car back , still after 23 days they did not unblock my credit card i did try many times to contact them but no one answer the phone and I did even email them no response . I am not happy and I have no good feeling for this company . I will try to report them , I will never use them anymore

RA Number : [protected]

Date : 26/03/2022

Office : 15 MILANO MALPENSA

Issue : Illegal overcharge.

I got charged an extra 20.79 , for re-fueling 8 liters ( Upon contact they claimed it was 10 lt but will charge me only 8 ).

I need to add here that i did not receive a Full car even though they told me it was and i needed to return it to Full , it is even written on the contract. When i reached the car though , the indicator was a bit below the 3/4 mark. I called them , and they told me to try and bring it at about the same level , and it will be ok.

The amount of 8-10 liters , they were claiming , was absurd. I know this car pretty well , along with its consumption and i have pictures of the level i returned it. This car has a 45 lt Fuel Capacity , and 8 lt missing is easily seen on the Fuel Gas Indicator.

I requested to receive the actual Photos the employee took , of the Gas Fuel Indicator , upon the return of the car.

When i received the photos , it was obvious that the Gas Fuel Indicator on the photos was totally different from what they had written on the Report. In the photos the difference is about 2 lt and they were charging for 8 lt (Claiming it needed 10).

Those were their own photos , that where used to fill the report and overcharge me.

I have attached their Indicator Photos of the my Return and the previous return along with the Reports on their contract.

unauthorized charge on my CC EUR 48.12

Rental paid on Feb 12 in the amount of EUR 223.13

top off fuel completed before returning car as stated below

18.02.2022 18.02.2022 HRK SICILY BY CAR SPA,ORIO AL SERIO.ITA/15.02/EUR/48,12

12.02.2022 17.02.2022 HRK SICILY BY CAR SPA,ORIO AL SERIO.ITA/15.02/EUR/223,13

15.02.2022 16.02.2022 HRK IPER STATION,ORIO AL SERIO.ITA/15.02/EUR/5,69

please advise

Ho acquistato tramite sito Ryanair il noleggio per il weekend del 18/02/2022 fino a domenica 20/02/2022. All'arrivo (ore 22:00 del venerdì) ho trovato il negozio chiuso, nessuno che potesse darmi l'auto noleggiata nonostante avessi già pagato e nonostante l'orario sia fino alle 23:00.

Ho dovuto acquistare un altro noleggio dalla più sicura ed efficiente Hertz.

Hello! I Pay a service two times ( full insurance) This is not something normal! Because this is my voucher from AutoEuropa, I buy the car with full insurance! When I arrive in the bergamo airport the person the work on sicily by car he take me the money again for the full insurance because I was pay with debit card, what I don’t understand why my friend with the same reservation he don’t need to pay this full insurance again with same card like me! He put only the deposit 300euro like was normal because the same amount was need to pay myself! I can give you the proof! I mentioned that I need to receive my money back for the second full insurance that I pay! I will make a compline to consumer protector , and all departments compenten with this situation! This is a fraud ! Normal was need to take the price of the update insurance not to take me money double! With all Respect Alex Podarescu!

This relates to Rental agreement n. [protected] dated 20/08/2021 17:35 Car plate number BQZ354.

Whilst on holiday in Malta I rented a car. Arriving late at the AirBnB meant there was no parking, so had to park in the corner of the street. Next day around 8:45, I saw the officer who fined me. I asked if they could cancel it but they said no. I asked if I could pay it now but they said no.

I have made every effort to settle the penalty:

- I spoke to the two officers who issued the penalty on the street in Marsalforn but they did not accept payment from me.
- Two days later I went to the Zebbug Local Council but they said that this fine will not be logged on the system for months and it could not be paid now, They sent me to Transport Malta in Victoria.
- On the same day, at Transport Malta in Victoria they told me the fine is not logged and they could not accept payment. I tried to leave the money with them but they just would not accept it.
- I have spoken to my Air BnB landlady and she tried to pay it online but the ticket was not on the system.

On 13 December 2021, Sicily by Car charged me the penalty notice of around EUR 23.29 as well as an admin charge of €40.00 + 18%. I believe the admin charge is excessive. It is also unfair because it was impossible for me to pay the fine by myself. I do not agree that the contract is fair in this regard.

with thanks

Alexander Dittel

We have not recieved the deposit- over one month ago - number agreement [protected]

My contract number is [protected].
I signed the contract electronically on a tablet at the Treviso airport office, I was not handed the contract. Manager said it would be sent by e-mail later. I received the car in the parking without realizing that the car and the plate number could later differ then in the contract.
This case I found when I receive notice "Verbale n° V/60677558Z/2021 (Prot. 5800068/0) del 21/10/2021" and cheking car photo when I pick up the car and looking the "Chek Out/In Statement" I concluded that I had a completely different car in contract.
I sent this information to [protected]@sbc.it and [protected]@sbc.it, but I haven't received a response.
Today, Sicily By Car take to service fee money 61.00 eur from my credit card for a violation that I have not committed at all.
Interestingly, this is a human mistake or something else…

Car Group: Fiat Panda or similar
Booking Reference Number: [protected]
Brindisi airport, 18.11.2021. bought through Ryanair booking payed in advance with additional insurance also bought in advance.

Dear, car pick up lasted extremely long in Brindisi. At Sicily by car office there was a long cue after Ryan flight from Venice. It took more than 20 min for one customer at the counter. I was 6th (one already at the counter) in the line (5x20=100 min). After waiting for more then 40 min, I was forced to rent a car by another provider and spend another 170€ even though I had already payed car rent and insurance with Sicily by car, which I did at the time of flight booking. To rent another car with payment on site took me about 4 min! Namely, there was an important meeting I had to attend at 8:30 pm in Lecce and it wouldn't be possible if I kept waiting for another 2 customers to pick their cars up. After this really poor customer experience with Sicily by car service, I would kindly ask for may money back, both for the car and insurance as I was not able to use and consume the service I payed for. Thank you for understanding. Best wishes. Ante

I would like to make a firm objection to charging me with the costs of tire damage, which I did not make.
As proof of unreliable checking of the car and not marking any damage that was already visible on the car (damaged bumper, scratched the paint on the mirror), I am sending a scan of the car acceptance report.
These damages were visible even in the dark parking place, and the service did not mark them on the acceptance protocol. Only after my request was it signed by an employee.
Such an approach is glaring for me and gives me a suspicion of improper preparation of the car inspection and fraud attempts. The right rim was also scratched, but I didn't notice it in the dark parking space. The entire rim is scratched in several places. Interestingly, the employee did not check the remaining tires and wheels - he only walked over to that wheel - as if he knew what he was looking for? This raises my further suspicions.
In addition, as proof that it was not me who damaged this wheel - I am sending a photo of the damaged tire. As you can see - the damage is old, it could not have arisen after 2 days renting a car by me (the photo was taken when I returned the car). You can see an evidently cut tire much earlier!
Another evidence of unreliable inspection carried out by your staff is the car return form sent by you, which still shows the damage disclosed by me on the day of picking up the car (and signed by the employee) - still not marked!
And finally - the car was returned with the battery 100% charged, and in the return report the state of charge is indicated at 0%. Do you always approach customer service with such dishonesty and integrity?
In connection with the above facts - I request a full refund and cancellation of all costs that I have been charged.

Hire/contract no. [protected] Date 08-11-2021 time approx 11.00am
Returned my vehicle as required the lady at the return area checked the car and with a very aggressive attitude, started skating me saying the car has beef returned filthy inside, I said no it has not I then went to the vehicle and removed the few bits of paper left in the side pocket, went back to the office and she was still literally ‘shouting' at me I pointed out that this was no way to talk to clients.
She went on to say there were leaves in the boot, crumbs on the seats, I was taken back by the way she conducted herself, does Sicily by car expect the hirer to valet the vehicle before they return it?
I shall never be using your company ever again.
It the lady worked for my company she would be dismissed instantly!

Upon returning our hire car two marks to the back right bumper were flagged. One rubbed out with a baby wipe. The second did not. The paint was in tact and the mark should have polished out. I disputed the charges which were an excessive £198 for a mark which would polish out. I asked for evidence it wouldn't polish out before a charge was made. They seemed to suggest why did it matter because I had insurance - which I said wasn't the point! It appeared that if I didn't have insurance they wouldn't have charged me! However, the company charged me without sending any evidence that the mark didn't polish out which I requested. I have been trying to obtain details from them for a couple of weeks now and they are not responding to me and do not have details of how to make a complaint on their website. My credit card has been charged the £198 despite my request for evidence the car is actually damaged.

We had a 7-day planned holiday around Italy between 02.08.21 - 08.08.21 so we decided to book a rental car with Sicily By Car in Napoli. It was cheap and looked great.

However, the surprise came when we landed in Napoli airport where the company asked me for a credit card to make the deposit. I showed the one that I have on my smartphone (with coronavirus I prefer to pay everywhere with contactless) and they told me that it must be physical. In my wallet I only had a physical debit card (not credit) and they told me that with that they could not rent me the car, but there was a way to do it: paying an extra 200€ of the deposit that would not be refunded. I asked why the charge for using a debit card instead of credit was so high, I mean, I would have understood a 25-50€ charge, but 200€? Really?

Anyway, they told me that it was the only way to rent me the car and, with a 7-day trip in front on high season (it was august) and a long queue in the deck I paid for the car under some pressure.

During the trip, I decided to check their terms and conditions policy because I found it weird to pay a 200€ charge for using a debit card and I found out that they can not rent me a car if I don't use a credit card, so what was this charge? I went again to their desk and a different guy was there. I asked for this extra 200€ deposit and told me that it was not any charge (they have no charge for using a debit card because, in fact, they can not rent you the car) and this money was for an extra insurance booking.

Awesome. They charged me non-refundable 200€ euros for extra insurance that I didn't ask for? And told me that it was a charge for using a debit card when they can not rent me a car if I don't use a credit card?

Obviously, I asked to make a complaint and he avoided it telling me to do it online when the policy says that must be done physically in the office. I showed him the policy and then told me that I need to do it in the main Sicily By Car office. Really? A public service with no complaint forms? I asked him where was the main offices and he told me that he didn't know, that I should search it online… I find out they are in Bolzano, more than 800 km away from where I rented the car (Napoli). Am I supposed to go there for making a complaint? I asked again for a complaint form because it has no sense and he again told me they don't have any complaint forms there.

Also the car was in poor condition, we booked a full tank service and the car was delivered to us with only half of the tank fuel and with a damaged antenna that did not allow us to listen to any radio in the whole 7-day trip (see attached pictures).

After my trip, I tried so many times to contact the online customer service in order to make a complaint but weirdly they were always busy so I could not speak with anybody...

I would like a refund for that money or at least talk to the customer service to make an official complaint.

Thank you,

Aleix

I've been trying to call Sicily By car for the past hour. No one picks up the phone!