Bargain Car Rentals Australia - Darwin City Arvostelua 

Extremely Disappointed – Unfair $300 Cleaning Fee

We are extremely disappointed with our most recent experience with Bargain Car Rentals in Darwin City.

From the beginning, the customer service experience was not particularly welcoming. The representative who provided us with the car that morning was neither friendly nor helpful and made us feel as though we were making her job more difficult when we simply asked to add an additional driver. We chose to overlook this at the time, as it was early in the morning, but a friendlier and more professional experience would have been appreciated.

Unfortunately, our disappointment continued when we returned the vehicle. We were told that we would be charged a $300 cleaning fee due to an alleged bad smell and "ingrained sand" in the carpet. We were informed that the vehicle would need to be professionally cleaned and steam cleaned because it would take longer than 30 minutes to clean.

We understand that this may be part of the company's procedures and conditions of hire, and we are not disputing that a cleaning fee can apply when a vehicle is returned in an unacceptable condition. However, we strongly disagree that our vehicle was returned in a condition that justified a $300 professional cleaning charge.

Before returning the car, we vacuumed the vehicle ourselves. Naturally, after a trip involving sand, there may have been some remaining sand in the car, but we do not believe there was anywhere near enough to justify a $300 cleaning fee or the claim that the carpets required extensive professional cleaning.

We also strongly disagree with the claim regarding the smell. This was a people carrier used by six people over a weekend in Darwin's hot and humid climate. There was absolutely no smoking, vaping or vomiting in the vehicle, and no other damage or excessive mess. Naturally, a vehicle occupied by several people for an extended period may not smell exactly as it did when freshly cleaned, but we found it extremely unreasonable and, frankly, offensive that this was considered sufficient justification for a $300 charge.

What makes this situation particularly disappointing is that we have previously had very positive experiences with Bargain Car Rentals. We live directly above this rental location and have hired multiple vehicles from the company for different trips. We have always appreciated the convenience and price and have regularly spoken highly of the company and recommended it to friends in Darwin. All six people involved in this trip have rented from Bargain before without ever experiencing an issue.

However, this experience has unfortunately changed our opinion. We feel that this cleaning fee is completely disproportionate to the actual condition in which the vehicle was returned and appears to go beyond what should reasonably be considered standard cleaning after a rental.

We feel extremely disappointed and hard done by. Unfortunately, after this experience, we will no longer feel comfortable recommending Bargain Car Rentals to our friends, and we will now be looking for another car rental company in Darwin.

I recently rented a car from Bargain Car Rentals in Darwin and was shocked to be hit with a $300 cleaning fee at return. The car was in normal condition, no spills, no damage, no excessive mess — just the usual light dust you get from driving in the NT. Nothing that would justify a professional cleaning bill.

When I questioned the fee, staff were dismissive and offered no proper explanation, no photos, and no breakdown of what supposedly needed “cleaning.” It felt completely unfair and impossible to dispute on the spot. One staff member told me the seats were wet which I asked to point out which seats were wet and when we inspected the car there was no wet seats, so it all made sense then. I knew what type of company bargain was, it is disappointing because this is the 3rd or 4th time renting and previous there was no problems or cleaning fee.

I cannot urge people enough to use other company’s such as Thrifty etc. I’ve rented cars all over Australia and have never been charged anything close to $300 for basic interior tidiness. Other rental companies in Darwin are far more transparent and reasonable.

If you’re considering renting a car in Darwin, go elsewhere. There are plenty of companies that don’t surprise customers with hidden or unjustified fees. Bargain Car Rentals might be cheap upfront, but they make up for it with charges like this.

One staff member in particular laughed at me when I said it won’t take $300 to clean the car.

Please be careful, like I said this is the 3rd or 4th time we rented off bargain, they had us right where they wanted us and took their moment, guys be aware of this company.

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