Woodford car hire , *******, unreliable and cannot be trusted

I Booked a car in October for The 24-12-2020 to 04-01-2011. Below is the booking confirmation and pick up instructions.

Dear Nina,

Thank you for choosing Woodford Car Hire! We look forward to meeting you on 24 Dec 2020, 7:00 AM!

Click here to modify or cancel the reservation, and use the PIN: CUAF

Reservation #***

Reservation Summary Pick-Up 24 Dec 2020, 7AM, Cape Town Airport Drop-Off 4 Jan 2021, 7AM, Cape Town Airport Rate SpringSale! - 100Km Free P/Day, 1100 free kms total, R6.90 per extra km Fuel Pick up full, return full Extras Baby Seats, Additional Drivers Waivers Top-Up Included For Free: Roadside assistance Battery jump-start Tyre change assistance 2hr breakdown replacement Amendments Cancellation Not Included: Credit card deposit Fuel top-up on drop-off Excess km Excess liability Toll fees R35 toll handling fee

Click here for our full Terms & Conditions VW T6 Caravelle

GROUPS AUTOMATIC 8 PERSONS 4 BAGS YES Driver Name Nina Tembe Email *** ID/Passport No *** Mobile No ***

Drivers must be 23 years or older, and must have had a driver's license for at least 3 years. Cost Summary Rental: R1,062.82 x 11 days R11,690.99 Airport Tax R1,286.01 Tourism Levy R116.91 Contract Fee R75.00 Baby Seats: R60.00 x 11 days R660.00 Additional Drivers: R50.00 x 11 days R550.00 Top-Up: R120.00 x 11 days R1,320.00 VAT (15.00%) R2,354.84 R18,053.75 Amount Paid R0.00 Pay At Collection R18,053.75 Credit Card Deposit at Collection R15,000 A credit card is required for placing the deposit on your rental at collection. However, you may still pay for your rental with a debit card or cheque card. Capitec credit cards are unfortunately not accepted.

When I made my booking initially I was told that I will pay on collection however few weeks before me trip I receive this.

Woodford - Cape Town To *** 10 Dec 2020 at 10:30 Good day,

Please confirm your booking for the 24-12-2020, please note to confirm your booking we need full payment by end of business today

Regards

Wayne.

Well because my trip was already planned for and I was looking forward to my holiday I went out of my way and budget to make the money available so that I don’t get to lose the rental, upon arrival I was requested for my license which I presented and a deposit for my rental. I then produced my cheque card and I was told that cheque cards are not allowed only credit cards, I was shocked because on the confirmation it says “ A credit card is required for placing the deposit on your rental at collection. However, you may still pay for your rental with a debit card or cheque card. Capitec credit cards are unfortunately not accepted. “ But it doesn’t say that they don’t use debit cards for the deposit, It only mentions Capitec cards.

I then asked the consultant what we my options to resolve he told me to find someone with a credit card to collect the car on my behalf and I did whe he came to collect the car the said that he needs to rebook which means the rental money must be paid again it can’t be transferred from my name to his although the deposit was in his credit card. I then I asked them to process a refund and asked how long it would take for me to get my money because I wanted to use it for a different rental and the consultant told me the following Tuesday came by and went buy I wrote an email requesting a refund. I was then assured a refund and asked for my banking details, I waited and realized that the money was not returned and I sent emails to them asking why then they said that they cannot give me money but only a voucher. So my question is how am I going to use this voucher as I don’t have a credit card for a deposit. So in short woodford has taken my R18000 and there is nothing that I can do to get it back. This is a *******, I urge all customers who have gone such not to sit down but to stand and let’s stop this from happening to anyone else I am now handing over to my lawyers and I’m willing to spend money in court because they will have to pay it back when the loose. Below are more emails as reference.

me To *** 24 Dec 2020 at 17:15 Hi good day, I was unable to pick up the car because I didn’t have a credit card, I was advised to find someone with one and still I wasn’t helped so please refund my money so I can book another car. I usually use my cheque card for rentals so please don’t inconvenience me more than this and give me a refund because this has cut the budget for my transportation. What I really hatethw most is that I called I wasted more money sending someone back to the airport because I was not well informed by the consultant. I will never use this service again. Please refund me asap.

Woodford - Customer Care 2 To *** 28 Dec 2020 at 09:09 Dear Tembe

Thank you for your mail and we are glad to assist in all regards

Kindly note that we have received your matter and we will resolve it.

Please allow us time as we have requested for your reservation number

Therefore kindly wait for us to revert with feedback as soon as management makes a decision

Also send any other queries to us and we will gladly assist you

Thank you Thabani Woodford Sent from Front

Woodford - Customer Care 2 To Nina Tembe 28 Dec 2020 at 12:23 Dear Nina

Thank you for your mail and we are glad to assist in all regards

Kindly send through your banking details in order for us to process your refund please

Also send any other queries to us and we will gladly assist you

Thank you Thabani Woodford Sent from Front

But now they say that they are not refunding me but they are going to give me a voucher, please bear in mind that woodford car hire are ********* and they don’t have the clients interest at heart. I want my money because I cannot use their services because I don’t own a credit card and they caused me a lot of inconvenience as I was traveling with 4 kids under 4 years old and two disabled kids that needed special care I even asked them to take the deposit from my cheque card which they refused. They should not refuse to refund me because I didn’t abandon my rental they refused to honor the car to me.

This is now a trend in South Africa since the COVID companies have been taking advantage of people and retaining their money this needs to stop. Fellow South Africans need to speak out. To end this abuse to consumers rights.