Avis staff need to get their story straight

I would like to express my deepest frustration. After booking a car online, Avis reserved an amount of R299.99 for my online booking. Upon picking up my car they asked for my card used online. This was not a credit card but a cheque card. Every employee knows the procedure and absolute pain it is when paying with a cheque card but despite company policy that states that they are to inform customers of the procedure, nothing was said to me. I called the call centre one week after I had rented my vehicle to enquire that I have not yet received my deposit back. I was told that my docket had not yet been closed at the Cape Town branch to for it to be reversed and it will be sorted within 2 days. I phoned again a week later only to be asked for my card details again and that someone would get back to me. I phoned again and was told it is on hold and Avis needed to let the bank know they can release the funds and that it takes 2-3 days. It is now 3 weeks since I have rented my car and my R1200 + R299.99 is still on hold and I was told today that it would actually take 7-10 days. With a large amount on hold for who knows how long, no one can tell me the CORRECT procedure or time frame.