New Zealand Car Hire Companies Fined for False Claims
It’s been reported that 2 car hire companies in Christchurch, New Zealand, have been fined more than NZ$40,000 due to making false claims. Now the New Zealand Commerce Commission has promised to bare down on immoral organizations.
The companies - Affinity Car Rental New Zealand and Euro Car Rental - have been prosecuted for ripping off foreign tourists by levying charges not disclosed, making up hire repairs, saying that cars belonged to the Qualmark program for quality vehicles when they didn’t, advising customers of damage they did to vehicles that never happened and promising new car models but providing older ones. These 2 companies were both run by Gary and Kylee Harris, who pleaded guilty to 18 charges of breaches of the Fair Trading Act.
This has prompted authorities to closely watch the tourism sector, particularly with the Rugby World Cup coming up next year, which will see tens of thousands of foreigners visit the country. Websites will especially be watched, as a large portion of travelers use the internet to make travel-related decisions.
New Zealand Commerce Commission general manager of enforcement Kate Morrison says that a lot of overseas visitors base their decision on what car hire company to use way before they are due to arrive in New Zealand, so it’s very important that information on websites is accurate. The country’s image as a tourist destination has been harmed by businesses that didn’t compete fairly and mislead consumers, she continued. The commission is closely watching sectors that provide goods and services to tourists while the country prepares for the Rugby World Cup, she added.
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