Can't say bad customer service because there isn't any.

I am disappointed in my first ever experience with car rental. Using a company well known had me thinking I would be safe but it was the complete opposite. I am a single mother and running a small business. Had to fly up to Johannesburg very late at night, arrived just before midnight, and in a thunderstorm of sorts.

There were 2 lovely gentlemen on duty at the front desk, very helpful, but no one to direct me to the car and no one to do a pre-check.

Obviously being a first timer, I assumed this was normal: Got in the car and left on my journey to Pretoria. I drove under the speed limit. I did half of my km allocated to me. I even washed the car before I took it back.

When we arrived - me quite impressed with myself for doing this, a man came to the car and pointed out a dent on the back door behind the driver seat. No scratches, no paint chips. I had to angle the light on my phone to see this dent.

When I explained that I am not responsible for this, I was ignored, made to sign a form explaining it.

Again, what do I know. Did as instructed but by then I had a mixture of dread and anger inside of me.

I went home, typed a very professional email explaining everything, resend it TWICE. I did not get any response back. And to date, I have received not only zero back on my deposit, but also a lovely invoice for damages to the vehicle.

What are my options? ZERO, NADA, NIKS.

Even my best friend said you have no leg to stand on. You will have to pay.

Isn't there footage of the car when it was returned prior my booking? Why didn't anyone assist me with a pre-check? Or even bothered to answer my emails?

Never using Avis again. First and last time.