Stay away from Avis ******

I was meant to be the main driver as I reserved the car. Unfortunately, when we arrived I could not hire the car I reserved because my drivers license is from the Netherlands but my passport is South African. We even called ahead to check if my license would be a problem and weren’t informed of this at all. On the call we were simply told that if the license is in English and has been valid for more than 3 years it would be ok. We were completely unaware that Avis had a nonsense policy that the drivers license needs to match the passport. In my opinion, this is something we should have been told when we called. To add insult to injury, the price of the rental price and especially the excess went up excessively to R24000 when we changed to my mother (a South African) as the driver. Furthermore, the e-tag for the vehicle didn’t work at any of the tolls and one operator told us that the tag for the vehicle was on the red list because the account had not been paid. Then just to rub salt in the wound we received toll charges from Avis on the bill even though we paid them all ourselves. I am currently disputing these charges as I am dead certain they were not me. I paid all the tolls myself. I have emailed and called Avis to dispute this and I am yet to receive a response. Lastly, and most frustrating of all is that it will take up to 30 days to refund the deposit. Completely ludicrous. There are competitors that refund instantly post inspection. After this experience I will never use Avis again, and I will make sure to tell all my friends and family exactly why. Completely disappointed. If I could give zero stars I would for this daylight *******. Stay away.