Disgusted with Tempest

I recently booked a car through Drive South Africa with Tempest Car Hire. I paid the full rental in advance and went to pick up the car on 23 March 2019. The car was ready, but when I handed them my debit card to put the security block on, I was advised that they do not accept debit cards. Yes, this is in their terms and conditions too, but in my experience this has always referred to the flat, unembossed debit cards. I have repeatedly rented cars in South Africa, Thailand and New Zealand with that same debit card.

They insisted they cannot accept it because a) they don't put a block on the card, they actually withdraw the security deposit and then refund it eventually - which is already unacceptable, and b) they cannot refund to a foreign debit card.

Now, this is complete ********. I regularly purchase goods in the UK and USA with that card, and they have always been able to refund me. Are you really telling me that a South African company cannot refund a Namibian card? We are in the same monetary area.

We offered to pay cash, but they would not accept that either.

In the end the contract had to be cancelled, and we were penalised with 2 days rental (N$800 plus)! Oh, they are probably within their legal rights, but I am thoroughly disgusted with their attitude and what one experiences as thievery.

We walked from Tempest to Avis and managed to rent a car WITH THE EXACT SAME CARD within 15 minutes. What a joy to work with professionals. Even though Avis is more expensive, the whole experience was so good that I will stick with them from now on.

I will definitely never make use of either Tempest Car Hire or Drive South Africa again, and neither will any of my friends or family members.