As I mentioned in last month’s Christchurch Diary, we visited Phillip Island to witness round one of the Superbike series. While we were there, we noted that Australians – like Americans – are very patriotic. When the National Anthem was sung prior to the day’s events starting, not a word was said (except by certain New Zealanders!). I saw very few people smoking, and in spite of thousands of men in the 40 to 70 age bracket, we only heard one guy using the F-word! The public address system was just great, which is a gripe I have with both the Canterbury Car Club and South Canterbury Car Club (Ruapuna and Levels).
Rental Car Warning
Make sure that you have inspected your rental vehicle when you return it, before leaving the rental office. Unfortunately we did not and upon returning to NZ found AU$1500 deducted from our Visa for alleged damage. We had inspected the vehicle on pick-up and noticed previous damage that had been repaired. The alleged damage was in the exact same spot!
On asking for evidence it took 20 days for them to send a photo, and that did not include the registration plate, and the attached quote was not legible. On asking for better photos and a more legible quote we received an email saying – “You know you caused the accident. Enough of the games.”
The only reason they finally did anything at all was because daughter Carol asked her bank to reverse the charges (which they have not done saying they cannot enter into a dispute). We felt scammed and reported the matter to the Australian Consumer Affairs Department, which has agreed we have a case and will look into it – but after six weeks, I still have not heard any further. Other friends have had similar problems after leaving vehicles un-inspected. Be aware of this. Have the car inspected before departing!
Ford Rally Canterbury
The 16th Annual Henry Ford Memorial Rally is to be held on Sunday August 30. It’s open to all Fords from 1903-2009 and departs from the Janel Coffee Lounge, Hawke Street, New Brighton, Christchurch from 9am to 10am. Cost is $10 per vehicle, and every entrant receives a free copy of NZ Classic Car magazine.
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