Alamo Rent a Car Westchester County Airport Jay Pawar Alamo Tries to Charge Customer for Pre-existing Damage White Plains, New York

On December 9th I rented a vehicle from Alamo Rent a Car at Westchester County Airport in White Plains New York. My flight was late and I did not pick up the rental vehicle until approximately 1am Saturday December 10th. The car pickup lot was extremely dark and no Alamo representative was available to do a walk around of the vehicle that I was renting. There was a contract security guard at the lot exit that asked for my rental contract, checked it, and waved me to exit. I did so. I returned the car on 12/11 to the same location.

I pulled into the return lot and was met by the return agent. He walked around the car and then came back to where I was standing and told me the car had a scratch on the right rear quarter. I told him that I have no knowledge of scratching the car and since the car was not checked by a rental agent and myself prior to my departing from the rental location, the damage could have been there when I drove off. The damage was a scratch that touch up paint could fix. There was no dent and no other damage, simply a scratch.

The lot agent told me to go into the terminal and to see the manager Jay Pawar. I approached the counter and he was helping another customer. I told him what happened and he said he would have to report it. I told him it was a scratch that could be fixed by touch up paint. He never offered to look at the car with me. He subsequently went to check the vehicle return history. He said that no scratches were reported previously.

I pleaded with him again and said that there was no dents or parts missing just a scratch that we don't know how it happened, where it happened, or when it happened. I told him that it could have been missed and not reported by his crew. He got very angry and told me to shut up. I told him that he would loose his job for that remark. He continued his anger and stated that he is getting the police. Another employee Erol had arrived and told him to calm down and not to get the police.

I have dealt with Erol a number of times and he knew who I was.Jay stormed out to get the police. Two uniformed Westchester County Police Officers came with him and started to ask me what happened. He told the officers that he wanted me to stay where I was and not to  say anything and to make sure I didn't move from the spot where I was standing. The officers moved in closer. After Jay was finished, he told the officers that he wanted to give me my receipt.The officers watched as I took my receipt. I was allowed to leave at this point.

There is a serious problem here. I was unlawfully detained, your employee was rude and insubordinate, and I was treated like a criminal.There was no apology from Jay or words of reassurance that things would be OK. He was not wearing a name tag and had red painted finger nails.

I never threatened him or acted in a menacing way. I am a former Law Enforcement Officer. Your response regarding this matter would be most appreciated. Hopefully this situation can be resolved smoothly.