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Trip Reports: Car Rental
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2006-2008: Archives -2007-04-01 to 2007-10-31: Car Rental
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, June 8, 2007 - 5:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I was charged $200 for alleged damage to a rental truck by Island Car Rental. One of my friends was charged $565 for alleged damage to a rental truck at the same time. We were both scammed by island Car Rental because there was no damage to either truck when we returned them.
DO NOT USE ISLAND CAR RENTAL THEY ARE SCAM ARTISTS.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #945) on Friday, June 8, 2007 - 5:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris.. Very sorry this is your first post! I suspect there may be more to this story. At any rate, if you feel you were treated unfairly, why not just deal with issuer of your credit card?
Outside of this incident, why don't you tell us about your trip. Where you stayed, how did you enjoy it etc.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom C. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4495) on Friday, June 8, 2007 - 9:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris, I am saddened to read your report. Having dealt with Patrick and company Island Carrental on three separate occasions, I was always treated fairly and in a professional manner. In fact on my last trip, as they had completely depleted their rental inventory and to honor his commitment to me, Patrick rented a deluxe pick-up from one of his competitors (they were also out of "budget" rentals) and gave it to me at his "budget" rate. I can not understand how his company has changed so much since December 2006.

The $565.00 deductible that Ted paid, is one of the least costly deductibles at car rental companies on the island. Next time may I suggest you document at time of rental every scratch, dent, etc.. visible, whether here in the states or abroad. Doing so eliminates most possibilities of being "scammed".

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3109) on Friday, June 8, 2007 - 10:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris, I am trying to make sense of your posting. Are you saying you were charged for damage that had occurred before you rented? If so, I fail to understand why that damage was not shown on your status report when you rented the car.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #740) on Saturday, June 9, 2007 - 8:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I too have dealt with Patrick at Island Carrental on several occasions and have always been treated fairly and in a professional manner. Last year we had a tail light stolen from the truck (yes, the moderators saw a police report)and Patrick made sure it was taken care of immediately so that we would not be stopped by the police for a missing taillight. As both Tom and Seb said, any damage that was on the truck when you rented should have shown on your original paperwork.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1208) on Saturday, June 9, 2007 - 12:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

chris, you say there was no damage to the truck when you returned it. why did they charge you? what did they say was wrong with the truck? when you pick up a vehicle you go over it with the rental rep and all damage (cracked light lenses, dinged windshields, dents, scratches, etc.) should be noted on the inspection form. then when you return the truck you and the rep go over it again...all previous damage should have already been on the form. why did you let them charge you if you say there was no damage?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Wahlig (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #239) on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 10:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Don't waste your time responding to this thread, we won't hear from Chris again. Just toss a hand grenade and run.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1213) on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 6:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

unfortunately, that's why the board moderators require a police report to substantiate reports of thefts and other crimes. too many people will post something (ficticious or not) just to cause trouble then disappear.

for what it's worth i've used island car rentals in the past before we bought our own truck and found patrick and his crew to be reasonable and fair.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By lisa z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #133) on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 8:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

No Pat, I think most of us are more intelligent than that, and know this is a one hit wonder.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 8:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You people sure do know how to attack a person.

1. I did not toss a hand grenade and run. I have been out of town and just returned today. If I was going to do that would I have given my full name and e-mail to everyone.

2. Quite frankly even if I explained what happened minute by minute you are not going to believe me as you are obviously friends of Patrick and Island rentals and have already made up your minds about me.

3. No need to answer this as I am sure it will only be more attacks.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Julia (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #2) on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 8:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Chris, if you have had problems we really are interested but you have to be able to back up your claims. The moderators have no connections to any of the companies in Bonaire so your posts will be treated with impartiality, we don't want you to feel under attack.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted I (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 9:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Island Car Rentals: one opinion

This post is for the Bonaire newbies, who like my wife Patti and I, have been on many trips around the world but have not yet encountered an unprofessional handling of a situation quite like this one. So before you delete this post as being slanderous, let me elaborate on the circumstances of how our situation was handled. Chris’s situation is completely different and I’ll let her speak to that.

Pointed advice: just like not locking your vehicle or leaving anything of value in it, be very careful and critical on the rental vehicle inspection. This is not like renting from Avis at your local US airport. Bring your own dive light and shine it down the side of the body and take the time to make sure everything is noted on the rental form. I suspect Chris would caution to look underneath too.

Initial inspection: The damage in question is alleged to be a crease in the rear tail gate; the outside skin of the tail gate. That crease could have easily been there already. We picked these trucks up at night after being en route to Bonaire for 20 hours straight; The rental guy waved his light at the truck as we quickly walked around it. Given the minor scratches pointed out to us and the fact I was not given the light to make a closer inspection in the dim parking lot, there was no way we could have seen that crease. Also, this walkaround was quicker than the “no sweat” Avis inspection I’m used to back in the States.

Return inspection. The guy walked up to the back of the truck with his powerful dive light and started there. The back gate was the first thing he looked at. He did not pause or make a comment, but continued with his inspection, walking slowly around the truck, rubbing bits of dirt off looking for scratches a little more carefully than the initial inspection. Back at the tailgate again, he began to look much more carefully, shining his light along (parallel) the skin rather than directly (perpendicular) at it.

The crease itself. As noted, the crease was so slight as to not be noticed when it was first looked for. No paint was chipped or cracked. The crease looked like someone leaned up against it. It would be a $100 charge for a "paintless dent repair" in California and consist of removing the rear liner and pushing the skin back out. In Bonaire, I would guess that would be a $50 charge. More than the $565 deductible? There is no way it could be $565 as a "paintless dent repair."

The communication. Now let’s consider the manner in which I was treated. I objected to the full deductible charge based on the fact it was not noticeable to the layperson, could have already been there and would be a simple dentless fix. The guy said he didn't have the final authority but would talk to Patrick when he came in and would send me an Email with his decision. He said: "the Email will be there before you get home." No Email was ever sent until I had my bank notify them the charge was disputed. The charge did not appear on my card until 12 days after we got home, several days after I stopped checking my card account. No repair bill or any proof of even an estimate was ever sent. (How hard can it be to dummy up a cost estimate?)

A convenient scenario. What could be more convenient than a crease that is well hidden until it is looked for carefully? Why would the company want to fix something that they can charge each party the full insurance rider amount? It's difficult to say how may times over they may have collected the full deductilbe with this same crease already, but if it works once, why not again.

You don’t know me at all and can freely speculate that I’m just a trolling troublemaker. But I will say this: Boniare was wonderful and a place we will definitely come back to. Overall, the diving and shore experience was top notch. We’ve been travelling the world for 40 years, and understand when we’re not in the U.S. But we've still had 100% good experiences all over the world, including a recent appendectomy in the Philippines, but this was one time I felt like I was treated poorly.

Everything in paradise is not always perfect.

Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #923) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 7:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You were there on the Initial inspection! If you didn't catch the crease at that time then more then likely it wasn't there. Take the time to do a complete inspection and avoid this problem in the future... Ron

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jan Klos - ( Hamlet Bonaire #10) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #486) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 7:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

This past winter, the vechicle rented had been keyed uptown during the evening. The deep scratch covered the length of the right side of the truck bed. Hubby and I decided that we didn't want to deal with this at the airport, so we went to the agengy and showed it to them. We wanted a written estimate. After a week of no call back, we again went to the agency, and was sent to where they have their damage repaired, and was quoted 200 naf. After a few more days, we went back to the agency to find out of the collision guy, gave them the price. We were then told it would be $500. This is what the deductible was. After going back and forth for awhile, the charge was finally brought down to $200. I doubt that this scratch will even be fixed.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted I (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 10:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

"Take the time to do a complete inspection and avoid this problem in the future"

Exactly. The main reason for the post is a warning to other renters: bring your own light, take your time, deal with the travel fatigue and do a much more thorough inspection and CYA much more than you ever have before.

As I noted above, this ain't your typical Avis/Budget/Hertz US Airport rental operation.

Thanks for reinforcing the point.

Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 10:58 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Ted. Like Ted & Patti I travel a lot. I am retired and take 6-8 trips a year. I have been all over the world and in the Caribbean many times and I have been on Bonaire several times and have never had an experience like this.

As Ted said we arrived late at night. We were rushed through the rental process. I was hurried around the truck with a dim light. I was told I had to sign a credit card slip for $565 insurance deductible, which I protested and was told "Don't worry you will get this returned when you return the truck". The truck was parked at the resort and only used a couple of times to go to town. We doubled up with the other members of our group when we went diving.

When the truck was returned the guy at the rental co. went around the truck with a bright light and shook everything apparently trying to find something loose. When he could not find anything he proceeded to crawl under the truck and after several very hard tugs on something he dislodged a piece of plastic. He then said "You have damaged the bumper" and refused to return the credit card slip I had signed.

When the charge showed up on my credit card statement I protested to Island Car Rental and was told "Too bad". Since they had a signed credit card slip my credit card co. would not reverse the charges.

I feel that I was scammed and will warn everyone I know that goes to Bonaire to dive to be wary of this company. Of course this is a case of "He said, she said" so I guess it depends on who you believe.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim McPeak (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #814) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 11:08 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Another idea that I have done in the past is to take a cab, if arriving at night. Come back early the next morning in the light and pick up the vehicle. That way, you can really scrutinize the vehicle. I just did this last December. I realize everyone wants to get diving the next morning immediately, but this can save you a lot of heartache. It also saves the waiting in line when you get there. Just make arrangements with them ahead of time to be there in the morning.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 11:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good Idea - Thanks Jim. But, I think in the future I will not rent any vehicle on Bonaire and either ride with the others in my group or take cabs. It would be cheaper.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Wahlig (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #240) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 12:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris my apologies for the hand grenade comment. Thank you so much for coming back and adding to the conversation. We see far too many handgrenades around here, so I guess I let the skeptic in me come thru. Again, I apologize.

Also, I'm sorry to hear about the bad experience. I use Island all the time. I will definatley talk to Patrick in August when I come down to make sure he understands clearly how this kind of a situation can impact his business.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 1:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank You John for the apology. I do not think this will have any effect on Patrick, we have been fighting this since March and he is very hard nosed about it. The travel agent, who I assumed (you know what assumed stands for)had done some research on this company also tried to get somewhere with Patrick and he would not give an inch. He must need the money badly. So I do not think talking to him will do much good, however you are welcome to try.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Wiggins (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 2:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris, dont think that it wont have any effect on Patrick's business.. a lot of people read this forum that dont necessarily post.. I have already made a note to avoid on my trip coming up, this is one of my pet peeves with rental companies. I always am very precise in this, and the other thing you can do during daylight hours is take pictures of the vehicle in question.. gives you at least some ammo in the 'scope' of damages in question.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #925) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 3:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris, Get yourself a AMEX Blue Card and add The Premium Car/Truck Rental Protection Plan. No deductable and they pay off. I just used it for our past May trip. Only $19.95 for up to 42 days of use. I thank Jake for turning us on to this program! What a money saver!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nell Keene (BonaireTalker - Post #75) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 5:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

another option: take alot of photos of the car, or video, when you pick it up. seems to put off any discrepancies on return.


 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 5:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank You for some very good ideas, I will check into the AMEX blue card and will also be sure to take pictures of any vehicle. However, it is very unlikely I will rent a vehicle again in Bonaire. In the future I will go to Bonaire because it is a wonderful place to dive, but I will take cabs around town and only do boat dives and shore dives at the resort.

I cannot afford to be paying for unfair charges as I said before I am retired and have a limited amount to spend on travel and want to get as much diving in as I can before I am forced to quit because of age.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Koehn (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 2:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Before I went on my trip to Bonaire in March,k I happened to read a review in this forum that made a note about rental car difficulties. Because of that comment, I was aware of the inspection on return often being highly critical

I rented with Budget and received a totally serviceable truck. A well used, well worn, well scratched and rusted truck. Just the same, when I returned the truck the inspector went over it like it was a show room model or as if she owned it herself. Because of the warning, I was prepared and had made note of all the flaws first.

I cannot say this is a fact, but I cannot believe they ever use the money taken for insurance claims and ever use it for cosmetic repairs. I also can't prove it, but it seems there is an incentive to find problems that I have never encountered at any other rental station in the world.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 4:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am glad you had prior warning about this. I did not and did not know that the Bonaire Talks website existed. Believe me I will check any website info I can get in the future on every place I travel to go diving. I agree with you about believing that they do not use the money to do the repairs, I think they just take the money and rent the vehicles out as is, then if they get an unsuspecting dummy like me who does not document the damage (assuming that they are like rental agencies in the US, Ha! Ha!) they can charge the next renter for the same damage over & over ad infinitum.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gina Sommerville (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 11:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Dan. When I read a negative experience such as Chris', I take note. We won't be renting from Island--although many of you have had great experiences with the company. Why risk ruining a great vacation?? We are using Budget and I'll have my digital camera charged and ready!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 12:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gina - Be sure and check the bumpers and under the car as that is where they said my damage was. Have fun in Bonaire, it is one of my favorite places to dive and have fun. Another idea, as Jim said above, is that if you arrive at night take a cab to your hotel and return in the morning in the daylight and inspect your vehicle in the light.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail T. (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2150) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 1:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ron Gould - you posted 'You were there on the Initial inspection! If you didn't catch the crease at that time then more then likely it wasn't there. Take the time to do a complete inspection and avoid this problem in the future... Ron'

AFTER Ted had posted 'We picked these trucks up at night after being en route to Bonaire for 20 hours straight; The rental guy waved his light at the truck as we quickly walked around it. Given the minor scratches pointed out to us and the fact I was not given the light to make a closer inspection in the dim parking lot, there was no way we could have seen that crease.'

Why be so harsh to people? They had been traveling 20 hours - wanted to get their vehicle and get to their accommodations. And just trusted the company to treat them fairly....

I have had no dealing with Island Car Rental. I have, however, been a victim of a car rental fiasco here in Orlando so I have more empathy for other victims.... In short, my husband had been in a car accident with his vehicle being totaled. (Not his fault!) A rental company that 'comes to you' brought a car out to the house - and my next door neighbor called me at work laughing to tell me 'they must have heard about John's accident because they brought out a car that was really dirty with a dent in the side!' John asked about the dirt and dent when the girl was going over the car with him at drop off, and she said 'oh I got that here - dings and dents, and they said you were in a hurry so we didn't take time to wash it'.... We all had a good laugh about it. .....until we went to return it. When they did the return inspection, they noted the dent - and when we explained the condition was noted on the drop off form, they countered that they would NEVER bring out a vehicle that was dirty and dented. Our word against theirs.... (and the 2 people that had brought the vehicle out were no longer working for them just 6 days later.....) and we would not pay, and advised our insurance company to not pay. We were willing to go to court, and our neighbor was too, but once we wrote everything up to the collection agency, we never heard from them again. Naturally 'E' Rental will never rent to us again, but we do know that any company is only as good as the people running them, and they are human too.

Long rant - since we've been on the frustrating end of vehicle rental h*ll, I really felt the pain of Chris.... and felt she's been unfairly jumped on.




(Message edited by ski9413 on June 17, 2007)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #929) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 9:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

GAIL, THE TRUTH HURTS! It is our own resposibility to handle rental agreements no matter how tired we are! Chris has already made the statement that she will not rent from anybody on the Island again! She will become a USER and leave the responsibility to someone else! NO I don't feel sorry for you or anyone else who lets people take advantage of them.

RANT OVER!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail T. (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2151) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 9:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Enjoy your day of perfection, Ron.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #930) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 9:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

It is spelled "RESPONSIBILITY" not perfection...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 11:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gail - Some people are sure full of themselves. Because I was tired and did not make a complete bumper to bumper inspection that makes it OK for a company to run a scam on tourists. I THINK NOT!! However I have found that some people on this website seem to go over the edge if you do not completely agree with them.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 11:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ron - I do not think taking cabs where I want to go qualifies me as a "USER".

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 1:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am a 69 year old woman still diving and carry my own gear and never ask anyone for help. I am very proud of being totally independent and do not appreciate some of Ron's comments.

This posting was not to justify what I did or did not do or mistakes I made when renting the vehicle, but just to warn others to be careful when renting vehicles in Bonaire.

Also, in order to see the alleged damage I caused I would have had to crawl under the vehicle in the middle of the night to document it. I don't think so!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5440) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 1:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

HI Chris, I am just getting to reading this thread and want to say how sorry to hear what happened to you with Island Rental. Thank you for posting your experience and hopefully Patrick will realize he might be wrong on this one. I do not use Island Rentals, I have my own truck on island when I go there, so no affiliation with them.

Gail, I'm with you with your thoughts as well.

Ron, Geez, loosen up! Your posts are not like you and I was quite surprised at your "attacks" I call it and continued being mean... Not very BT like.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #931) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 1:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie, I don't want to sound mean. We all have to pay for our mistakes(in some ways)and it bothers me when people try to blame things on others. It is what it is and sobbing won't change anything...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail T. (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2153) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 2:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ron, I held you up in prayer this morning at the 10:30 service, to lighten your heart a bit. I have never met you, but you appear on line to be a very hard, unhappy, unforgiving person. I hope you felt some peace earlier today.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 2:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ron - I do not think trying to warn others of a problem business can be classified as sobbing or blaming others. Why are you so angry?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5442) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 4:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

O.K., I know I am coming in on this one a little late in this thread, but it is obviously a "she said, he said" issue and no one really knows exactly what really happened except all those involved.

Chris: I again thank you for posting your experience and from some of the other postings here, I am sure you got some excellent advice on how to avoid something of this occurring again.

Personally, I don't like to see older folks get taken advantage of and things like this happen in the US and yes, I have seen it on Bonaire too. I also want to make a point that I have never heard anything like this in regards to Island Rental, known lots of folks who have used them with good experiences, to be fair to Island as well.

However, I really can't imagine my dad, age 80, looking under the car/truck to make sure to take pics to assure he doesn't get charged for damage that was there prior. Older folks can and do get taken advantage of in business, I truly hope this is not the case here.

Ron, I still think you are a little off on this, but differences are what makes the world go around or you can just say I have rose colored glasses on. Whatever works for you. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 4:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie - Thank you for your message. I was just trying to warn people to be careful when renting a vehicle in Bonaire. I did not expect to start World War III with anyone. I hope this will be the end of all this rancor and anger as I do not think that is what this website is about.

I will say that Bonaire is one of my favorite places to dive and a beautiful island. I have been there many times and plan to come back and dive there as long as I can continue diving, which I hope will be a few more years.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5443) on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 4:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Chris, I don't think there is any WW III going on here, just differences of interpretation of things, that's all. I am glad to hear you will return to Bonaire and I wish you many more years of diving. :-) Ron really is a sweet guy, he has a right to say his opinion as I do mine and you do yours. We don't always agree here on BT, but that's o.k., if we did, then we would be oh, so boring. :-)
Variety is the spice of life.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted I (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 1:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

"No repair bill or any proof of even an estimate was ever sent. (How hard can it be to dummy up a cost estimate?)"

So, no one wants to comment on this aspect of unprofessionalism? Does everyone think this is just fine? That Patrick, as the boss of Island Car Rentals can just decide himself to keep the full deductible without so much as a polite explanation? His response to me (and the trip travel agent, who Maybe he should try to keep happy? Ya think???? ) was something to the effect that "the damage was done, I have the money, have a nice day." I'd be happy to copy anyone with the actual message if you would send a PM.

I spoke to my State Farm insurance agent about how this situation would be handled in the US. She was amazed, said that if they were handling this on my behalf they would not do anything until they got a shop cost estimate and yes, I was definitely owed a body shop estimate if not the actual repair invoice.

Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted I (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 2:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

"I rented with Budget and received a totally serviceable truck. A well used, well worn, well scratched and rusted truck. Just the same, when I returned the truck the inspector went over it like it was a show room model or as if she owned it herself. Because of the warning, I was prepared and had made note of all the flaws first.

I cannot say this is a fact, but I cannot believe they ever use the money taken for insurance claims and ever use it for cosmetic repairs. I also can't prove it, but it seems there is an incentive to find problems that I have never encountered at any other rental station in the world."

Well, until I read your experience with Budget, I was wondering if they were connected with the company we know here in the US and maybe things would be more like what I've come to expect. But your point about the individual people running that particular shop is probably true and the main key point I'll remember in the future; IOW, it probably doesn't matter what the company name is, if certain employees there can personally improve their situation at the expense of "rich tourists who can afford it" they're going to do it.

This is upsetting to us, because up til now, the dive destination locals have treated us really well. We do think that most of these other dive destination locals know they'll all collectively do better if they present a culture and image of taking care of us gringos. Hopefully this thread is the exception, thanks to one or 2 bad apples and is not the rule.

Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5446) on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 10:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Ted I, Didn't mean to neglect your post, actually I only was commenting on Chris's posting as that was what I read. I have now read yours too, yes, it is a bit alarming reading about two bad incidents with above said company in the same thread. That said, I can say that even though I have my own truck on island, I have dealt with "other" rental agencies for many years and have not had any bad experiences with them. I do not believe that this is a normal happening with rental agencies on island. I know that does not make you feel any better and I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. After reading this whole thread now, I have these visions of folks taking cam corders and cameras for inspections when picking up their rentals. Certainly not an ideal visual for sure. Thanks for posting your experience here, have you emailed Patrick or your contacted your credit card company for a detailed invoice of damages from Island? If you were charged, and paid for it, you have a right to the bill. Your credit card company would not pay for something without a bill of said damage. I do believe that since you were not on island physcially, that the bill would have been sent to your credit card company, not you.

I agree with Jim McPeak's advice on picking your rental up in daylight hours to avoid such incidents in the future. Good advice. It will also save you a days rental in most cases. :-)

I am by no means making light of your situation, very disturbing to hear and I would not like it to happen to me. I am sure your posts and Chris's will help folks who read this thread be aware to do a thorough inspection when picking up their rental. Shame when something like this happens on vacation, and I feel your frustration in regards to having to deal with a situation such as what happened. Glad you still enjoyed your vacation on Bonaire, but I really don't look at myself as a Gringo. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 11:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Debbie - When we rented the vehicles Island Rental made us sign credit card slips for the $565 deductible and said we would get them back when the vehicles were returned (of course they refused to return them). Our credit card companies said as long as Island has a signed credit card slip there is nothing they can do about it. I requested an invoice from Island and got a piece of paper with hand written "Damage to truck $200" which of course is easy for anyone to fake. In the end the final word we got from Patrick was "Too bad, sh*t happens".

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5452) on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 1:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris, It is standard procedure for all rental companies to have you sign a credit card slip when you pick up your rental and it is "normally" returned to you when you return the truck/car and is used only if the vehicle is not returned with the same amount of gas it was given to you or damage to vehicle. That much is on the up and up. However, Chris, if you really feel you were taken advantage of, then please, put it in writing to your credit card company and contest the charges. I am a stickler for the principle of things, and if you, yourself know that this is bogus charge, then don't believe a voice on the phone from the credit card company, you have rights and I know many people who have had a problem with a purchase or rental and even with a signed credit slip on file, they have contested the charges and won. Time consuming, sure, but since you say you have been fighting this since March, seems you have the stamia for such a thing. Every credit card company has policies for such a thing and if you kept all your paperwork updated in that regard, then read through it and see what you have to do to dispute it. Talking to a person on the phone is not considered letting the credit card company know officially, so it may be, in fact, too late from the date it happened to officially dispute. They all have rules as to how long after you receive a bill and have a problem with the charge to dispute, doing so in writing, certified mail leaves no doubt as if they received it, or time frame either. You are off island now, the only way to get your money back is through your credit card company. Posting here on a public forum is good to let people know what happened to you, but I wouldn't waste anymore of your time with Patrick. He has already decided there was damage and billed you. Your next step would be to dispute it through your credit card company officially. A phone call is not good enough. The person on the other end of the line is not always the best one to discuss theses things with as you can call the same company with the same question and get three different answers to that same question. Had it happen to me. Some people just blow you off with can't do anything as they are too lazy to investigate your question further or don't really care. Good luck with your credit card company.

I have heard on this thread and from a lot of people the Blue AMEX is a good thing to have and indeed would be ideal for you to use on your next trip as it sounds like to me that the credit card company you have is not too good either.

Or: You and Ted I could be so tired of what you went through and say to yourselves, "Life is short, learned a lesson from this vacation, warned who we could" and continue on to enjoy life as it really takes a lot of time to dispute these things. I'm not sure what is the right thing for you to do, only you can answer that.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5453) on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 1:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

One more thing to add, and I will address this one to Ted I: As Julia, our BT pointed out way earlier in this thread, "if you have had problems we really are interested but you have to be able to back up your claims. The moderators have no connections to any of the companies in Bonaire so your posts will be treated with impartiality, we don't want you to feel under attack."

When nothing can be provided to the mods, or it is a "he said, she said" type of thing, you will notice that it is not that people don't care about what happened to you, it is just very hard for BT folks here to "assume" what you say is true and factual and tend to avoid posting here. Especially from first time posters.

I, for one, do not believe this has fallen on deaf ears.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted I (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 6:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie, thanks for your response. I contested the charge with my credit card company immediately, on the basis that Island owes me substantiation for the loss being at least $565. As I believe your post above agreed, I deserve something more than Patrick's word. When I get a response from the credit card company, I will copy the mods and anyone else that sends me a PM request. Hmmm.....I wonder how much more there is to learn from all this.

Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack van Vliet (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 6:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Island Rentals IS a scam! I live in Bonaire, and our company frequently rents cars for visitors. We agreed a corporate rate with Island rentals, established an account, arranged speedy collect and drop-off procedures.

All went fine for a few months. never any problems. Then one of our visitors had a small mishap, and caused a long dent in one of the fenders. We were charged the full $565 for the damage, although real costs would not even been half.

But we didn't fight about it, we held to the terms we agreed upon, although it was a bit harsh.

The next time we turned in a car the gas tank was half full, just the same as we collected the car. We dropped off the car ar 3:30 AM unattended. But still Island rentals insisted that the tank was only a quarter full and charged us for refilling 1/4 tank.

The next time again, we turned in the car unattended and Patrick found some scratches again and charged us again for $565.

In both cases, the driver had no reason to lie about tank contents or scratches. If there were damage, the company would pay for that anyway, no questions asked.

However I assume that based on the first event with the real dent when we payed without asking questions, Patrick must have thought that he discovered a get-rich-quick scheme.

Please don't say that we should have inspected the car etc. The part of the agreement was that we did not have to. After all there is something like mutual confidence. It went OK for some time. But then it was clear that Patrick is not worth such a relationship.

Now we are renting at Budget.



 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Greb (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 10:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank You Jack! I was beginning to get the feeling that just because I cannot produce paper work (which Patrick refused to give me) that the others do not believe that this happened. I am really upset that I could not get anywhere with this with my credit card company or Patrick and because I was a first time contributor to this site that I was automatically disbelieved. I am sorry to hear that you had a bad experience but, grateful that there is someone who agrees with me.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted I (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 3:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, wonders never cease, U.S. Bank just refunded the full $565 deposit against Island Car Rentals. No details as to how that all went down; whether they asked nicely, or whether they broke Patrick's knees or whether the gave up and paid me just to drop the whole thing and keep me satisfied. I just might ask, but I'd guess they want that to be their business secret.

Ted

 


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