This looks like another case of the Lyft vomit scam.
to no evidence of a passenger’s guilt.
You can avoid the vomit scam by taking pictures of the back of your car before and after your ride. I know this sounds extreme, and it’s probably unnecessary for most rides. So, let’s just say that you’ll probably know when it’s necessary. The moment you say “hello” and open the door, you’ll just know.
I’ve been on a few rides like that, where the car is not well-maintained, the driver complains about how little money he makes with ridesharing, or he’s tip-baiting you by griping about how much he relies on gratuities to earn a living.
You could have appealed this to one of the executives at Lyft. I list their names, numbers, and email addresses on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.
The evidence Lyft sent you appears to be inconclusive, and the way it handled the claim was incorrect. According to you, it didn’t even bother notifying you about the problem. It just charged your card.
Regarding your request for additional compensation, I think adding a zero to your claim is a bit much. In fact, requesting too much compensation can sometimes harm your chances of getting anything from a company.
You could sue Lyft in small claims court and possibly get a judge to side with you, but where my advocacy is concerned, a simple refund is all that’s warranted.
You reached out to one of the executives at Lyft. Your email was polite, and it noted that you had been a good customer for many years. A representative wrote back to you:
“We’ve completed another review of the cleaning fee request and the details you shared with us. After a second review, I have forgiven the $150 damage fee you had on your account. We completely understand your frustration, Jared, and your feelings are completely valid.”
Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy (elliottadvocacy.org), a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy.org/ help.