Avis - shocking service and poor management of documenting faults on vehicles.

I received a mail from Avis Cape Town International Airport Branch today advising me that they have concluded a “full investigation” and that I will be charged for damage to a rental car I collected from their Strand Street branch yesterday. The car was in no way damaged while in my possession.

I first collected a car from the Airport when I arrived on Friday - after waiting in line for over a hour.

The first car was faulty and a safety hazard as the breaks were not functioning correctly. I returned the faulty car to their Strand Street Branch on Saturday morning around 12:30 (just before closing time) only to be told they only have another car not in the same class. I then asked them for another vehicle to be told that they cannot help me. I had an auto - they only had a manual option in a lower class.

After just giving in based on what I was told is “company policy” the faulty car was left there - without being checked or without any paperwork being completed.

They then gave me the keys to a polo after trying to “find” the keys which they eventually found upstairs - not in the office area. No paperwork was issued - in my error, I did not inspect the car before driving out as I was in a rush to get to an appointment.

I drove the car straight from the Strand Street dealership to the waterfront, then straight to the hotel where it was parked until we left for the airport this morning.

At no point was the car near a boundary wall or any object that could cause the damage claimed.

I dropped the car at the airport - the staff collected the keys from me and only asked if I had filled up with petrol. The car was not checked while I was still there.

When I landed back in JHB - I received the e-mail stating that I will be held liable for damage I did not cause.

I will never make use of Avis again.

I will make sure that our travel agency is also informed of the misconduct to rather make use of other rental companies for our corporate travel going forward.