Stranded tourists fume as hired car blows out
January 25 2007 at 12:43PM
Two Canadian tourists are stuck without wheels after paying Best Beetle in Brackenfell R9 250 for a rented car they thought would take them through three countries in three months.
"It broke down after four days," said Mary Idiens of Nova Scotia in Canada.
She and husband Todd Faragher complained to Argus Action that Gunther Coetzee of Best Beetle had refused to refund their money.
"I think he is taking advantage because we are tourists," said Idiens.
'The car was definitely not roadworthy'
Coetzee did not respond to a request for comment.
Argus Action has previously published complaints from tourists about their inability to get deposit refunds Best Beetle contracted to pay when the cars were returned.
Two Dutch students cautioned that renting a cheap car from Best Beetle might turn out to be costly, and a Brussels couple said three burly men threatened to throw them out when they asked for the refund they had travelled back to South Africa to claim.
Idiens said they had chosen Best Beetle because its website advertised the lowest prices.
"That should have been a warning sign, but nothing would have prepared us for the shock when we saw the car, which was about 30 years old. They make you sign a contract and pay first before they show it to you."
One tyre was completely bald and two were nearly bald. The driver's seatbelt was knotted and hung by a thread.
"Coetzee ignored our objections, assuring us that the car would be fine and, if he got a better one later, he would exchange ours. He swapped the tyres for four that were only slightly better, but still worn."
Driving the car for only 70 kilometres confirmed their fears that it was in no condition to cross borders.
"You almost had to stick your head out of the window because of the exhaust fumes. Our eyes were stinging only minutes after leaving their shop. The ignition was faulty, and the dashboard lights didn't work, so you couldn't see how fast you were going at night. The clutch seemed to be failing because we were having trouble putting it into gear."
Four days after getting the car, smoke billowing from the engine made them think it was on fire: "There was oil all over the fender. I took pictures of the oil oozing over everything."
Best Beetle had towed it away, but refused to replace it or return their money, she said.
"The car was definitely not roadworthy. To be blunt, it isn't a car," she said. "It is junk."
They are now considering picketing outside Best Beetle's shop before asking the Small Claims Court for help.
o This article was originally published on page 26 of Cape Argus on January 25, 2007
