Comprehensive Petition for Enhanced Transparency and Fairness in Turo’s Billing Practices

To Whom It May Concern,

We, the undersigned, are current and former customers of Turo who have experienced significant issues regarding transparency and fairness with Turo's billing practices, specifically around the rental of electric vehicles such as Teslas. These concerns include unclear communication regarding automatic billing, post-trip charges, and the processes involved in electric vehicle charging that were not disclosed at the time of vehicle booking.

Detailed Experiences and Issues:

1. Automatic Billing for Electric Charging:
   My experience with the Tesla rental involved using Tesla Supercharging stations, which directly billed to the host’s Turo account without requiring my input or payment information. This practice was never communicated to me prior to the rental, leading to unexpected charges.

2. Tesla Supercharging Practices:
   During the rental, I was directed to use Tesla Supercharging stations, where I simply lifted the charging handle and connected the vehicle without any prompt for payment or indication of cost. My understanding was that these costs would not be billed to me directly, yet they were automatically charged to the host and subsequently to my account, which was misleading.

3. Requirement to Use Tesla App:
   At certain points, I was required to download and use the Tesla app, which involved entering my personal and credit card information. This requirement was not made clear before or during the rental process, adding to the confusion and lack of transparency.

4. Charging During a Snowstorm:
   The rental period coincided with a snowstorm, significantly affecting my ability to use and charge the vehicle as required. Despite these circumstances, I returned the car with more than the required 80% charge. However, the charges incurred at Tesla Supercharging stations during the snowstorm were billed without prior detailed communication or my consent.

5. Post-Trip Billing Inconsistencies:
   The host did not upload post-rental condition photos in a timely manner, complicating the dispute over charges. This inconsistency in Turo’s process needs addressing to ensure fairness in handling disputes.

6. Review Rating Discrepancy:
   After completing my rental, I submitted a review with a 3-star rating due to the issues faced during the rental period. However, the app displayed a 4-star rating instead. This discrepancy highlights a serious concern about the integrity and accuracy of Turo's review system. Such discrepancies undermine trust in Turo's platform and suggest a need for greater transparency and accuracy in how customer feedback is recorded and displayed.

7. Misleading Mileage Advertisement: An additional concern is the discrepancy between the mileage advertised and the actual mileage available during the rental. The vehicle was advertised with a capability of (est.) 350 miles per charge. However, this figure proved to be conditional and significantly overstated, particularly when essential features such as heating were used during my rental in below-freezing temperatures. This discrepancy not only impacted my travel plans but also contributed to the overall transparency issues with Turo. Renters must be clearly informed about how various conditions and car usage can affect the actual mileage they can expect from their rented electric vehicle

Demands for Change:

To ensure fairness and transparency for all users, especially those renting electric vehicles, we urge Turo to:

1. Clarify Charging and Billing Procedures:
   Provide explicit and accessible information about electric vehicle charging practices, including who is responsible for the costs at charging stations, and ensure this information is part of the vehicle booking process.

2. Transparent Communication of Charges:
   Ensure all potential charges, especially those related to automatic billing at Tesla Supercharging stations, are clearly communicated and consented to by renters before they are incurred.

3. Develop Specific Policies for Weather-Related Issues:
   Establish clear policies that account for severe weather conditions, ensuring renters are not unfairly penalized for circumstances beyond their control.

4. Improve Dispute Resolution Process:
   Standardize the post-rental process to ensure timely upload of vehicle condition photos and provide a transparent dispute resolution mechanism that handles billing disputes effectively.

5. Enhance User Interface for Better Transparency:
   Revise the Turo app and website to make all policies regarding electric vehicle rentals and associated costs clearly visible and understandable to all users, regardless of their familiarity with electric vehicles.

6. Audit and Overhaul the Review System:
   Conduct a thorough audit of the review system to ensure its accuracy and integrity, ensuring that customer feedback is accurately reflected and used constructively to improve service quality.

Legal Considerations:

This petition also serves to gather contact information from individuals interested in exploring the possibility of a class action lawsuit to comprehensively address and rectify these unfair practices. Participation in any legal action is voluntary and will be coordinated with legal counsel to ensure privacy and adherence to legal standards.

Call to Action:

We call on all affected individuals to document their experiences meticulously, including screenshots, receipts, emails, and any other relevant communications with Turo. This documentation will be crucial for understanding the scope of issues and providing evidence in any future legal actions.

Contact Information:

This petition is initiated by Mose Adkins, who serves as the primary contact for this cause. For further information, to offer support, or to join potential legal actions, please contact 214-233-4180 or wegobeyond@gmail.com.

Your support is crucial in ensuring that Turo addresses these issues promptly and effectively. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your help in promoting fairness and transparency.