Stay away from First Car Rental

I booked a car with first car rental in Cape Town. I was there to participate in the Two Oceans Marathon. I had booked my car in advance but I had to wait at the airport for 40 minutes as I was told that there were no cars. After the person at the counter was finally convinced that I had booked in advance, she went and gave me keys that were there this whole time.

During my stay in Cape Town, on the day of participating in the marathon. I had parked behind many others but I was issued with a traffic fine for parking incorrectly and the ticket was placed on my windscreen. No other cars were fined but nonetheless, I took the ticket and contacted the City of Cape Town to acknowledge guilt and paid the fine.

I then received an email from First Car Rental, indicating that they have a parking ticket for the car that I had hired. I responded by providing them with all the communication and proof of payment from City of Cape Town.

A day later, I received an email from First Car Rental, stating that I will be charged a R350 administration fee for a traffic fine. I queried the matter and advised them that I had paid the fine and I had communicated this to them in advance.

Nothing helped. They went ahead and charged me R350 and their official explained to me that, if you get a traffic fine, whether you have paid it or not, you are automatically charged R350. I find this system to be unfair and it was never explained to me at the time of picking up the rented car. I see it as being de*****ed because the charge against my credit card is against my will. FLAWED RULES.