Just returned from two great weeks with my family. When I arrived I was "lucky" enough to get a brand spanking new truck at Budget. I was told to take care of it(nice). Having been to Bonaire for over 50 times, I am aware of the perils that can befall your vehicle and was indeed careful. I did not go to Cai or Washington Park and was extremely careful not to scrape any of the sides with the branches of plants. No door dings either. I even washed the truck twice. I checked the truck back in at 5:30 am and was examined by the attendant with a flashlight. I had just wiped my legs down with a mosquito repellant towelette. She kept pointing out scratches and I kept wiping them off with the towelette.Finally I said that there were no scratches and that I had brought the truck back in A-1 shape. We both agreed that she was only doing her job. I pointed out that the "scratches" that she had found just did not exist, that they were merely deposits of dirt or sand and salt. What I was wondering was what if someone was not as diligent or careful as I, would they "pay" for those superficial scratches or dings that we all eventually get on our cars. I think next time I will get a slightly used car and defuse a potential problem.

I thought you might be interested in another Budget Car Rental story. We just returned from an 18 day trip to Bonaire over the holidays. About six months before our trip we had reserved a truck through Netty’s, and unfortunately, found out about two weeks before our departure that Netty’s was no longer in business. Because there were five in our group who we diving and wanted to explore the park, we really needed a truck. So, I spent considerable time attempting to locate one, and with the help of a business with whom we rented our villa we were able to rent a truck from Budget. Budget told us it was their “last truck” (due to the holiday season) and charged us a huge amount of money (over what we would have paid if we had had one reserved in advance). Feeling like we had no other options we took it, despite feeling ripped off by Budget. Upon picking up the truck at the airport office we noticed immediately how trashed it was. The seatbelts were all broken (yes, we like to use them), the seat adjustment in the front was broken, the car was full of rust, scrapes, and dents, the tires were low on air (which we filled), and the shocks were completely worn out. Of course, we noted all of these concerns before leaving. For the entire 18 days while driving around the island we kept laughing at the condition of the truck and remarked often, “this is the most trashed rental on the island” (occasionally we lapsed into “truck envy”). After spending 18 days diving and driving around the island the truck was pretty messy inside (it was full of sand on the floor and littered with tissues and candy wrappers). We too, delivered the truck back to the airport at 5:30 am and noticed two young men standing outside with a woman from Budget. The men had just gotten in on a KLM flight and were at Budget to pick up their truck. Much to our surprise, they were given our truck “on the spot.” We did not have time to clean up our litter, and Budget did not clean out any of the sand. We informed the young men of the problems with the truck so that they would know. There was no talk about scratches or dents from the woman at Budget—so maybe it was worthwhile after all, having the most trashed car on the island. If anyone is interested it is the red, 4-door, Toyota truck full of rust!! It comes with its own beach at double the price.

Now that's funny. A moving beach how lucky! I hope ya'll had a good time.

Wow! Garrison D. Ipock Jr. good thing you were extra careful with that car.
I hope you had an excellent trip regardless of this incident

There is a green one in similar condition at Budget that we had over December so they degenerate very rapidly when filled with sand, wet children and windsurfing equipment. Unfortunately for us Tourists, and fortunately for the economy of the local businesses, there was not one spare rental car available on the island around Christmas and the odd cancellation was snapped up by those with the contacts. The old trucks that are normally left in the back of the lot were all pressed in to service and unfortunately someone ends up with one !!! The brakes worked. The belts did not. The seat adjusters did not. Truck envy was indeed high especially considering the previous visit had seen a brand new HiLux which was returned with no scratches but I am afraid did contain the famous moving beach.....

Garrison,
We rented a jeep from Budget. It was the most beat up, filthy, piece of scrap metal you can imagine. I've laughed at people who have said they don't wear seat belts cuz it gets their clothes dirty - well, guess what, it did (but I wore it anyhow). But... it got us where we wanted to go. After hearing your story, guess I am sorta glad. At least we did not have to worry about pampering it!