Traveling to Romania and renting a car might sound like the perfect way to explore the country’s beautiful landscapes and historic cities. However, I urge you to be cautious when booking your rental, especially if you’re considering using Pricecarz, a car rental company that has been involved in multiple scams aimed at unsuspecting tourists. While they may seem to offer a deal that’s too good to be true—like an Audi Q3 for just $9 a day—there’s a dark side to their business practices. Below, I’ll walk you through three common scams they employ and why you should think twice before renting a car from them.
1. The Insurance Scam
One of the first things you’ll encounter when renting a car from Pricecarz is their aggressive sales pitch for their insurance. They’ll insist, sometimes very strongly, that you must buy their insurance. Pricecarz claims they don’t honor insurance provided by your credit card, nor will they accept third-party insurance like Allianz. However, this is a flat-out lie. Your credit card insurance or third-party insurance will cover you in the event of an accident, and the rental company will still be paid.
Despite this, Pricecarz will push you to purchase their insurance at a steep price of $75 per day. If you stand your ground and decline their offer, they’ll attempt to intimidate you with a threatening warning: they’ll draw a tiny dot on a piece of paper and say that if you return the car with even a scratch that size, you’ll be hit with a minimum $250 charge.
This tactic is a scare tactic designed to force you into paying for their insurance. Don’t fall for it! Stick to your guns and make sure you’ve got your own insurance coverage set up before you travel.
2. The Fake Credit Card Authorization Scam
Another common scam at Pricecarz involves the authorization of a hefty $2,500 deposit on your credit card. When you arrive to pick up the car, they’ll claim to run a credit card authorization for the deposit. However, they never actually attempt to process it. They’ll tell you that your card was declined, even though no charge was ever made. They may then ask you for a second card to try again, and they’ll repeat the same process, claiming that the authorization was unsuccessful each time.
This is a deliberate ruse to pressure you into paying a $300 non-refundable fee, which they’ll claim will waive the deposit entirely. This is an attempt to get you to pay extra, even though there’s no real deposit or reason for the fee.
3. The Post-Rental Damage Scam
If you refuse their insurance, you may think you’re in the clear. Unfortunately, Pricecarz has one more scam to catch you. When you return the car, they will perform an incredibly thorough inspection, looking for any scratch, dent, or imperfection on the vehicle. No matter how minor or inconsequential the damage may be, it’s almost guaranteed they will find at least one scratch to charge you for. And when they do, you’ll be hit with a hefty $250 charge—or more.
This inspection is not about ensuring the car is in good condition; it’s about finding ways to get more money out of you after the rental. Even if you’ve driven the car carefully and returned it in the same condition, expect to pay extra for “damage.”
Booking.com’s Complicity in the Scam
As if Pricecarz’s deceptive practices weren’t troubling enough, the lack of action from Booking.com is equally concerning. Despite numerous reports from myself and other travelers about the scams we encountered with Pricecarz, Booking.com has failed to take any meaningful action. Many of us have contacted their customer service, detailing our experiences and urging them to investigate the company. However, each time, Booking.com’s response has been dismissive, with no follow-up or resolution.
It’s clear that Booking.com is aware of these issues but chooses to turn a blind eye, allowing Pricecarz to continue operating unchecked. By listing and promoting this company, Booking.com becomes complicit in the scam, indirectly endorsing their misleading practices. This lack of accountability from such a major booking platform is deeply frustrating and highlights the importance of travelers doing their own research and choosing rental companies that are reputable and transparent.
What You Can Do
If you’re planning to rent a car in Romania, my best advice is to avoid Pricecarz altogether. Their tactics are not just unethical; they’re designed to exploit travelers, especially those unfamiliar with Romania or its rental market. Instead, I highly recommend sticking with reputable, well-known car rental companies such as Avis or Budget. These companies may cost a bit more, but they are honest, reliable, and don’t use deceptive tactics to charge you hidden fees.
When renting a car, always make sure you’ve got proper insurance coverage in place—either through your credit card or a third-party provider like Allianz. And don’t fall for deals that sound too good to be true, especially when they’re coming from lesser-known companies like Pricecarz.
By staying informed and being cautious, you’ll avoid the hassle of dealing with scammers and ensure a much smoother, more enjoyable trip. Stay safe and always do your research when renting a car abroad.
