Deal with Dollar Thrifty at your own peril

<p>I have a complaint against Dollar Thrifty Lanseria. I rented a car from them on the 8th of July for 3 days and was asked to pay a R4,000 deposit as well as a 3 day rental fee of R5,387. I got the car from their Lanseria branch on the 8th of July at around 9pm. In the morning at 4am upon trying to start the car it wouldnt start.From that day I have had an awful experience with Dollar Thrifty and to add salt to injury i have suffered losses as a result. I was to deliver borehole equipment in Botswana. My borehole pump broke down and I bought a solar pump complete with solar panels to transport to Botswana that very fateful morning following my picking up the car. The following morning i tried to start the car but it wouldnt start. I started calling one of the numbers on the contract until one gentleman answered who promised to get me help by 7am. This never happened I only got assistance at around past 10.</p> <p> </p> <p>The driver tried to jump start the car but nothig happened. we tried to charge the battery directly with an electric charger but the battery stayed flat. He then had to get battery from his truck and it was then we realised the battery was faulty and it had visible marks that showed it had been tempered with.</p> <p> </p> <p>I then notofied the office at Lanseria of my dilemma and was told i will get a full refund. I got a shock this morning when I realised that I have been charged the full amount but upon enquiry I was told that I will be charged a day's rental and that my refund will only be paid after 14 days, do you know how absurd this sounds.</p> <p> </p> <p>First of all, when I took the car it was dirty, and I accepted, secodly the car never started and I had to abondon my trip after waking up at 4am which means I had the car in my possession for 8 hours as evidenced by the calls i made to try nd get help. Thirdly I have suffered great loss as a result of the experience and I wonder what is my recourse.</p> <p> </p> <p>I got an email yesterday after followin up with them days on end that I will only be refunded R659.56, half a day's rental after paying them R5,387 and them sitting eith my money from the 8th up to now.</p> <p> </p>