Bookings.com stole my money.

I requested a rental car without a security deposit. They sent me a quote that showed no security deposit and I accepted the quote. The full payment for the rental vehicle went through my bank account. But when I received the booking documents it showed that I must make a R12 000 security deposit. I immediately tries to cancel the deal but they informed me that I have lost all the money paid.

If I analyze this they should have shown the security deposit to be paid when they gave me the quote. Secondly there is a cooling off period when any electronic deal can be cancelled of 7 days according to the Electronic Communication and Transactions Act 25 of 2002. Obviously they did not adhere to this. They advertise no cancellation fees but do not specify that it only applies to rented space and not to rental vehicles.

Please beware that they clearly do not intend to adhere to South African legislation at all and this might effect your dealings with them.