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Shivaan M

1 reviews | Active since May 2019

06 Sept 2025, 20:58

Woodford Should be Investigated for Damage Policy ******ion

We have taken up our case with the Consumer Goods Ombudsman. On 30th August we hired a car from Woodford at the OR Tambo branch. Our car was parked in a poorly lit bay which affected the quality of the photos we took of the car when identifying defects. There was also no one from Woodford to assist us with inspection of the vehicle and to raise concerns with. We had to get assistance from somone working next door at First Car hire. When we returned the vehicle, a minor chip/dent was identified and we were held liable for the damage as it was claimed it happened during our rental. Woodford said they had done an inspection on the 29th August before our rental of the car and there were no defects. I mentioned that there was sufficient time for the car to be damaged between the inspection and our pickup and questioned the standard of the inspection as the chip/dent was very minor to the point of needing a pic to be taken close up to see. I raised with them that there were multiple scatches and other issues we took photos of when we picked up the car and shared a photo of the dented area in question that we specifically took a photo of on pickup. We only took photos of problem areas on the car as well. Unfortunately, the quality of the photo due to the poor lighting and camera resolution was used as an excuse to dismiss our claims that the dent was there beforehand. We were initially charged with a bill of R6575, as quoted from the email it was broken down like this:

"I see you have take the Super Waiver cover, which means that your excess liability is R 6 000 incl. There is also a mandatory claim handling fee of R575 that is added to the claim, so you bill should be R 6 575."

As a goodwill gesture, they said they would resolve the matter for R3287.50. As quoted:

" As a gesture of Goodwill and in an hope to resolve this matter amicably, I am willing to close this matter on 50% if you agree, which means a total billing of R 3287.50."

We did not accept this "goodwill offer" as we knew we had not done the damage on the car and were entitled to the full deposit.

After this, the "goodwill offer" was retracted:

"Unfortunately, the Goodwill offer will no longer apply.

The deposit will not be refunded because this is still an active claim."

We had been asking for the repair quote and this came in the latest email. The amount charged by the repair company was R3749 with VAT, to repair the whole bonnet. Woodford charged a Damage Handling fee on top of that of R500. This brought the total to R4324. As quoted:

"The amount owing will be taken from your holding deposit, and the balance will be refunded to yourself."

It seems even Woodford realized the amount of R6575 was excessive, but in the end they still took as much of the deposit as they could to repair the bonnet.

It was Leon Maduray at Woodford who handled majority of the damage complaint. And as professional as he was, he was not very empathetic to the fact that we were not provided any assistance to inspect the vehicle on the day of pickup. This might even be a tactic so customers can not take clear photos of the vehicle. In my opinion, Woodford should be investigated for using an ******ive damage policy to withhold deposits for minor damages and eventually taking as much of that deposit as possible to repair as big a section of the vehicle as they can.

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Replies (4)
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Shivaan M's update06 Sept 2025, 21:17
Reviewer Update
A first time Car Rental user would not know they had to take photos or insurance on the car. In our case we even took the Super Waiver insurance and provided photos but were still charged this much for damages. Really disappointing service.
SM
Shivaan M's update06 Sept 2025, 22:20
Reviewer Update
Attached are links to other HelloPeter reviews mentioning unfairly paying for damages and retaining of deposits as well as questioning the quality of inspections. Some are even good reviews:

1. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/1-star-review-extremely-disappointed-with-woodford-car-hire-***#

2. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/not-returning-deposit-money-***

3. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/great-car-hire-company-but-im-not-completely-happy-lately-since-the-beginning-of-this-year-***

4. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/deposit-from-woodford-***

5. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/woodford-never-again-***

6. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/they-are-big-mers-***

7. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/worse-car-rental-company-in-sa-***

8. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/suspect-and-ulent-***

9. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/useless-company-75298d457e4b15f53a6e29c***1b2004ed9a-***

10. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/next-level-nonsensical-arrogance-***

11. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/great-service-long-turn-around-times-for-refunds-***

12. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/deposit-ab60f6bb***0e8a0404c1b2345e5c9538f20-***

13. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/the-service-booking-receiving-and-delivering-the-car-was-great-however-it-is-over-a-month-and-i-have-not-been-refunded-my-deposit-***

14. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/010-901e3893e5841c4a67965fcb161b***f88-***

15. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/it-two-3-weeks-to-ge-***

16. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/horrible-service-6f3503c66c20bee56f534359ff***f0df13d-***

17. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/dont-trust-woodford-***

18. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/disgusting-service-0757e6fdfece23d50ee0b0ea156b4da21b089ded-***

19. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/absolutely-terrible-6c61496e5207f5bfaf4c8e8f76204b52b4baa***

20. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/have-to-fight-with-them-to-get-back-my-depositpre-auth-amount-and-they-keep-lying-to-me-***

21. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/woodford-car-hire-is-a-***

22. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/uncleared-holding-deposit-***

23. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/will-never-rent-a-car-with-you-guys-***

24. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/woodford-car-hire-ec***ec2ce9fed628d***ee***

25. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/poor-service-and-refund-services-***

26. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/i-enjoyed-the-car-an-***

27. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/i-hired-a-car-with-woodford-from-the-24th-to-28th-april-***

28. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/caution-regarding-woodford-car-hire-***

29. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/my-african-dream-530c20d3da4b5f43a1ba2d3be8ba7ff26cfbcf73-***

30. https://www.hellopeter.com/woodford-car-hire/reviews/carte-blanch-worthy-***

Here are just 30 Reviews, there are a lot more. Not all customers have an issue but these issues are notable with regards to deposits and damages. There are some mentioning deposits being withheld for long periods, others mentioning excessive damage costs and unfairly being charged, while others question the quality of the inspection process where chips and dings are still on the vehicle after inspection and the fuel tank is half full on pickup.
Woodford Car Hire
Woodford Car Hire's reply08 Sept 2025, 08:05
Official
Dear Shivaan

Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to post this review. Your feedback and your journey is important to us, your trusted mobility partner. 

We apologize for the challenges you have faced and would like to assure you of our very best attention at all times as we collaborate with you  to resolve this matter in the fastest possible time. 

To process any complaints and offer the best possible resolution, please direct all concerns to the below email address. Our trusted team will review the mail and reach out to you soonest. 

You may email us on *** 

Thank you for your support.

Yours Sincerely.

Abigail Mentor
The Woodford Group
Vision 2025 Team 
SM
Shivaan M's update08 Sept 2025, 10:29
Reviewer Update
The email address is masked and not visible even after logging in. Here is the reference for my complaint with Woodford: Re: [#***] JNBT81-140367-D01