By Bruce Sommerville (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 1:25 pm: |
Last year when we rented from Budget we had a beat up but very serviceable truck. This year it appears they have replaced a substantial amount of the fleet. At the point where we were completing the rental agreement the agent, because the truck was newer, argued vigorously against using American Express rather than the offered insurance. Despite the sales pitch I still declined the insurance. When we returned the truck 2 weeks later the agent, Jeannie, found a dent about the size of a quarter in the lower part of one of the doors. I honestly believe this dent was there when I picked up the truck but went unnoticed because of the size and the fact that the paint wasn't even scratched. Regardless of where the actual fault lay I have a complaint regarding the consequences. For what I think most agencies would consider normal wear I was charged $120.00. I consider the amount completely out of line with the severity of the damage. When I attempted to dispute the amount Jeannie elected to deal with me a preemptory and quite frankly rude manner. I have used Budget countless times, both domestically and international, for business and pleasure and will continue to do so. I will not however use this branch ever again.
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By Lloyd Haskell (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #237) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 1:33 pm: |
Its the worst thing about Bonaire , Budget were very difficult to deal with when I used them . Its hit and miss . I too , will not go near them again .
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By Brian* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3910) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 2:03 pm: |
You have to check the vehicle carefully especially a newish one. Any damage not noted is the renters problem. Maybe take pictures before you accept it. This is not a Bonaire problem as it happens globally. I have similar issues in the UK with minor paint scratches. We had full insurance with AB this year which was good as a Donkey kicked our door.
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5600) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 3:19 pm: |
Bruce, welcome to BT I have found that when I rent the vehicle now on Bon (have used budget a few times, netty's, and AB), I go around the vehicle VERY carefully, and last time took pics. It is sad it has come to that, but I just don't want to get dinged. The bad part, is that money will NOT go to getting the ding fixed, it will just go into a pocket.
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1529) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 4:43 pm: |
I don't want to be cynical but..., if the next renter of that vehicle doesn't notice the small dent in the lower part of the door, and it's not noted on the vehicle checkout, what's to stop them from claiming it again?
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By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6774) on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 12:15 am: |
The CON flight from Newark/EWR into Bonaire arrives at 4:40 a.m. in the pitch dark. It was almost impossible to inspect the vehicle with the flashlight only as the light source. I wanted to take pics but was too exhausted to even think about it in the dark in the a.m. upon arrival.
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By Brian* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3913) on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 3:45 am: |
Cynde I don't know we got mobbed by Donkeys by the feeding station as it was just before 4pm. I have some funny pictures, I had to climb onto the truck as the mob of Donks (100s) was way too much.
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5609) on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 10:22 am: |
Brian, pictures please! I've been mobbed by those donks as well, and have pictures to prove it...but that's another story...glad I didn't get kicked by El Donk though...lol!
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By lisa z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #187) on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 2:29 pm: |
My cynical side tells me that the dent you describe is a great money maker for Budget. You KNOW that won't get it fixed, and they can keep charging the next customer the same 120 big ones. Wonder where the money goes.............hmmmmmmm
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By Jan Klos - ( Hamlet Bonaire #10) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #653) on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 2:59 pm: |
Just remember, even with full insurance there is a deductable. Back in 2007, an unamed rental company tried to charge us $500 ( the full amount of the deductable) for a rear panel where someone decided to key it. We had already got a verbal quote from the person the rental company sent us to for $150. After going back and forth we settled for $200.
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By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #789) on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 9:03 am: |
What if every BT'er who had to pay for a dent posted the company and license plate number for the vehicle in a separate forum?
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By Kevin W. Williams (Bella Vista Estates) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #563) on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 6:34 pm: |
A story told to me by one of my guests when I ran the hotel. I won't swear to it's truth, but it is funny.
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By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2806) on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:37 pm: |
Kevin,
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1535) on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 6:03 am: |
The donkey story is funny although I suspect not unusual. However, if my memory on the terms & conditions in an auto policy is correct (at least in the US), if a deer (or donkey) runs into the vehicle it is NOT considered collision damage but is covered under the comprehensive (glass breakage, theft etc) portion of the policy..So therefore a collision deductible might not have been applicable. The rental agent may have been honest or more knowledgeable then the renter thought.
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By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2807) on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 9:09 am: |
Wouldn't one expect some comment from the rental agent???
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5642) on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 10:27 am: |
Well, our car wasn't damaged by a donkey, but my knees were, and it wasn't covered in the rental agreement lol!
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By YucatanPat (Sand$ A3) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #186) on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 2:43 pm: |
Bruce - not the way to end a Bonaire or any vacation.
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By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2808) on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 2:57 pm: |
Cynde,
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By Bruce Sommerville (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 3:38 pm: |
Carole – I arrived on that same Continental flight at 4 something in the morning and had preceded that flight with two others in order to get from Denver to Newark. Even with the excuse of darkness and a twenty hour travel day I understand that it was my responsibility to perform the inspection and I probably made the wrong election with regard to the insurance. So I’m willing to claim mea culpa here but there are still several points of contention that decidedly chap my a**:
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5646) on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 4:18 pm: |
Glen...lol ;-)
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1538) on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 6:13 pm: |
>>>Vince, interesting. Dang, I wish I had a rental agreement in front of me to see. fine print>>>
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3193) on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - 4:41 pm: |
most of the car rental agencies are self insured for damage...
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By Ted Norton (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Thursday, July 3, 2008 - 10:07 pm: |
I have rented in from budget in the usa, OR. I had broken windows both times. I was never charged anything at the time of return I was told it would be assesed and that I would be notified. Both times no charges were assesed. The first time I had a broken windshield due to a rock on the road. The second time someone broke in by smashing a side window. In the end I was never charged but intended to use the credit card ins.
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By Bruce Sommerville (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 7:11 pm: |
Just a quick update. Just received the American Express bill today. The $120.00 damage charge magically increased to $280.00. Just further deepening my conviction that this operation has some dishonest employees.
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By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #612) on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 8:22 pm: |
Bruce
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By Bruce Sommerville (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 9:54 am: |
Mick
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