AVIS - Poor system and can put you at serious financial risk without you knowing or having control over.

I have used AVIS a number of times and had some good service from them in the past. On my last trip however they really dropped the ball and showed how potentially hazardous it can be if a system is not managed properly. Firstly they were very short of cars and I did not get the class of car I booked and confirmed, I ended up with a hatch back and I had booked a sedan so my second suitcase did not fit in the boot and we had to put it on the back seat making it a security risk for us and forcing us to pay extra to do an early bag drop at our hotel. There was no system in place for me to check the car with someone when I picked it up and even though I did want o report a small chip on the rear bumper no-one was around for me to report it to. On returning the vehicle I reported that the wheels needed balancing since there was a vibration fro the time I collected the car. At this point the check in person pointed out a small scratch on the front bumper which had green paint in it. I said we had been nowhere near any green walls and the hotel we stayed at did not have any places such damage could have occurred, he said he had to report it and I said I would dispute it. I got an SMS from AVIS to say R 1239 would be billed to my card and that I could dispute the matter. I duly disputed it and heard nothing back and was then sent an invoice including the R 1239 and the amount was deducted from my card. On querying the matter I was told they had rejected the dispute and emailed me, on checking they had typed the incorrect email address which is odd since they have all my details on my AVIS profile. I had the email directed to the correct address and on reading the contents was disappointed to see a standard reply with not much effort made to investigate. My suspicion is that this vehicle was damaged at their yard and the person who checked the car before my taking delivery had caused the damage. Strange that this had not been investigated, it would have been my first point of reference. As it stand now I will be taking AVIS to the consumer protector and have asked AVIS to escalate the matter. It is not so much the money as an insult to my character and ability to take care of someone else's property. I am well known to be take very good care of any property I am entrusted with and being an accountant have a professional obligation to be honest at all times and with all things.