Avis Southern Africa Reviews 147

I am a well-known travel blogger in Italy. I rented a car and was charged for cleaning without being told I had to clean the car before return it, and, THEY FELL THE FORM AFTER I SIGNED!

It is not about the money (not a big deal at all) but the principle!
I feel like I have been swindled twice.

Once because nobody told me I had to return the car perfectly clean inside when I rented it. I know it is maybe in the contract, but a serious company like AVIS should explain such a thing at the picking up, even because is something most of the rental companies do not ask for.

Last but not least, because when I spoke to the employ at the return, he made me talk to his supervisor who told me to write the explanation and that everything was ok and I would have not been charged. HE MADE ME SIGN A DOCUMENT WITH MY DECLARATION AND NO CHARGE OR OTHER DETAILS WAS WRITTEN ON IT!

Furthermore, the car was not dirty. Just some sand was inside on the floor, definitely normal.

Back at home I've received the invoice and found a charge for cleaning.

I know AVIS is a serious company and I always write in my articles, really followed in Italy, to rent by serious and international companies, because they should be able to solve any issue.

I am ready to change this review in 5 stars as soon as the issue will be solved.

I apologize for my bad English (I use it only to travel), of course, I write in a proper and correct Italian.

Worse customer service ever
I have been trying to resolve an issue with Avis over a hire car now for several weeks. The communication and level of customer services is appalling. I would never use Avis again and in particular would advise against using the Johannesburg airport branch.If you do ensure that they inspect the vehicle with you before you go even if they say they are too busy. Otherwise you will find yourself with a hefty bill when you return the vehicle for alleged damage. My advice go elsewhere even if it is more expensive!

Disgusting service, I will just copy my email, I had to reverse via my bank, I will never deal with these thieves again.

Morning

We made a reservation via Mango as per reservation number above.

On collecting the car at Lanseria Airport this morning the following transaction was authorised off our Private Wealth business Visa card.

15 Dec 2018 08:00:47 491050******7538 AVIS RANDBURG 3,000.00

A short while later the following unauthorized transaction were reserved

15 Dec 2018 09:25:09 491050******7538 Avis Rent A Car 3,105.03
15 Dec 2018 09:25:11 491050******7538 Avis Rent A Car 3,105.03

And further attempts were made but declined as the card has a R10k limit.

I called and spoke to Tseselo at Avis Lanseria, he confirmed the unauthorised transactions and while I accept his version I do not accept his solution.

He states that it will be reversed within 24h time, totally unacceptable.

I spoke to FNB Fraud who explained that the merchant must call in and cancel the unauthorised transactions, I called Tseselo back and he claims he cannot despite having FNB on the other line stating he can.

My options are to report the merchant for the fraud, I explained this to Tseselo and he did not really care and states he will sort this out on Tuesday, when I explained that this was unacceptable he basically brushed me off and when I said I will not deal with Avis again he said that is fine.

I called your national call centre and spoke to Lucky and requested to talk to the team leader or manager, after been on hold for 10m22sec the id**t had transferred me back to Lanseria, not what I had asked for.

All our staff have a R10k limit on their cards for fraud prevention, Avis has reserved R 9210.06 of that so the card was declined for his accommodation, we also do not work over the weekends so now we have to go into FNB and lift his limits creating frustration and embarrassment for all involved.

So I will take Tseselo from Avis Lanseria’s advice and I won’t deal with Avis or Mango again.

Regards

WATCH OUT!!! This is how Avis Cape Town International Airport operates:

When you hire a car the inspector quickly skims over the car, my wife and I had to repeatedly point out quite obvious marks he inspector kept missing.

When we returned the car we were lucky enough to have two people THOROUGHLY inspecting the car. They one guy found a very slight dent the size of a 50p on the side of the door. This is something you cannot see unless you are at the right angle and the light falls on it just the right way. I know we did not have any damage at all and I know we missed it because you cannot see it so obviously we did not see that with the initial inspection, and no surprise our competent inspector missed that one when we picked up the car. What was interesting is that this guy knew that this mark was there, he came marching to the car and pointed to it... almost like he knew that car has this little money earner on the side of the door that no one knows about.

There was a documentary on BBC recently showing how car rental companies use exactly this tactic. Please be careful when using Avis Cape Town and make 100% sure you check every inch of the car for the slightest marks - DO NOT TRUST WHAT THE INSPECTOR DOES. If the car is not perfect when you return it and there are any marks you did not list it, they WILL make you pay for it, and every person after you that rents the car. Also, if you can, take photos and video of every part of the car just in case you missed something with your own inspection, you might be able to see it on a closeup photo later.

Remember, the inspectors know every mark on every car, and they don't repair any of them. If you don't have a mark listed on your checklist it is yours and you will pay for it. The first inspection is fairly brief and the return inspection is far more through. This is how they make more money so please be careful!

I booked with Avis South Africa/Namibia a 4x4 Toyota Hilux D/Cab
for a period of 37 days on 03.01.19 and p/u at Hosea Kutako A/P, Windhoek on 06.03.19.
The conditions read as follows: incl.: Airport/City surcharge; Local Tax; Rental Contract Fee; Theft Cover; Damage Cover; 4500 km free!!!!
Being back in Europe the Invoice showed as follows: 3800 km free instead of 4500 km that means N$ 16.310,16 instead of 11774,00 N$!
I wiper-blade, I replaced (with invoice) wasn`t honoured! Air Port Surcharge was also on the Bill, Damage Waiver was also charged !
All rentals (I`m a prefered Client) I had before in Southern Africa were top, but know.... not even an answer on my claims. I tried even to lodge my claim through AVIS AT/D/RSA, no real help!!!!
Another thing: Hosea Kutako Airport Windhoek is absolutely unsave for your valuables in your board case/Rucksack at the security check - a camera was stolen out of my Rucksack at the screening point!!!!! I thought I knew Namibia, I used to live there for a long time!