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Car rental scam alert
#42746
03/01/2015 02:47 PM
03/01/2015 02:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764 Quebec
kish
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
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With permission of Debbie Jacobsen Korotkin, I am sharing a post that she made on another site concerning a car rental she made in SXM. I thought it would be good info for everyone on this board. I only know what she posted so cannot answer any questions. This is FYI.
"I feel it is necessary to warn you about a scam/extortion. We went to return our rental car (Budget) and were informed we were involved in a hit and run in Philipsburg the day before. We were not even there. They said witnesses came forward with our license plate. They said they had pictures. We said "fine- show us, because we weren't there." The picture was of a SUV with the side pushed in. We had a tiny Toyota Yaris, and we had not a scratch on it. They said the guy we hit was an important man and he was coming over with his car. Meanwhile, we had to catch our plane. The guy, XXXXXXXXX, came over, and low and behold the dent in the SUV didn't even line up with the bumper of our car. They said they would not call the police if we paid. We told them to call the police. We then googled XXXXXXXX and found XXXXXXXXXXXX (edit as the information was incorrect). We called our attorney who told us to call Budget US Headquarters and the St. Maarten Police. The former is investigating. The latter said this scam is not uncommon, but they would not take a complaint over the phone- we had to come in! We took tons of photos, so we have that. Please watch out and be aware of this!"
The original information was incorrect and has been removed.
Last edited by Eric_Hill; 03/02/2015 10:31 AM.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: Mpant]
#42749
03/01/2015 03:32 PM
03/01/2015 03:32 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,189 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,189
Ohio
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They are not the same as the "major carriers" as in the US. This is why so many long-time visitors use local rental guys.
J.D.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#42750
03/01/2015 05:03 PM
03/01/2015 05:03 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 391 San Antonio
sumbeach
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 391
San Antonio
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We have used Lesley (Kennys) and Michael (Unity) numerous times with nothing but good results. In January I backed over something and ruined a tire (totally my fault). I was expecting a couple of hundred bucks - Michael got the tire for $69. Not sure if I could have gotten it that cheap at home.
Dan
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: Mpant]
#42751
03/01/2015 05:39 PM
03/01/2015 05:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,063 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,063
Auburn, WA
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Mpant said: Why do any of the major carriers allow these scams to go on Bad business They are not really the same. Hertz for instance is locally owned but is called Hertz SXM and is not part pf Hertz in the USA. Budget is probably the same but not really sure.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: mikeandsandy]
#42759
03/01/2015 07:32 PM
03/01/2015 07:32 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597 Sint Maarten
transplantsxm
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
Sint Maarten
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mikeandsandy said: If you cannot rent a vehicle from the Company website, it's probably no affiliated, as in, St Martin Budget is probably simply infringing on Budgets copyright. I call National a number of years ago to rent a car - was told they do not have cars in st Martin - surprised when I walked out of the airport and saw a National booth - not affiliated with the Company. If a business will steal a name, would you expect the run their business honestly? Is totally the norm on Sint Maarten. Kay's Jewelers is not the US Kay's, Starbucks was not Starbucks (closed by litigation from Starbucks), and many similar name rip-offs like "Office World", Seven-Alive (also renamed after litigation from Seven-11), lot's of gray market goods in electronics and the list goes on and on.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: transplantsxm]
#42760
03/01/2015 08:22 PM
03/01/2015 08:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,532 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,532
Brookfield, CT.
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transplantsxm said:mikeandsandy said: If you cannot rent a vehicle from the Company website, it's probably no affiliated, as in, St Martin Budget is probably simply infringing on Budgets copyright. I call National a number of years ago to rent a car - was told they do not have cars in st Martin - surprised when I walked out of the airport and saw a National booth - not affiliated with the Company. If a business will steal a name, would you expect the run their business honestly? Is totally the norm on Sint Maarten. Kay's Jewelers is not the US Kay's, Starbucks was not Starbucks (closed by litigation from Starbucks), and many similar name rip-offs like "Office World", Seven-Alive (also renamed after litigation from Seven-11), lot's of gray market goods in electronics and the list goes on and on. And don't forget the poster child for island name misappropriation - anyone remember Midass Muffler? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: wilsonck]
#42762
03/01/2015 08:52 PM
03/01/2015 08:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,189 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,189
Ohio
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wilsonck said: I'm surprised the major companies allow stuff like this to happen. As Franchisees of these companies, they should do more to protect their brands and reputations. In most cases, they are NOT franchises of what you deal with in the US. You are NOT in the US and sadly, this stuff happens. It doesn't make it right but people need to understand (just like with some of the timeshare mess), you don't have the same protections you do at home.
J.D.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: kish]
#42763
03/01/2015 10:37 PM
03/01/2015 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,118 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,118
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for this info. It is very sad to hear that some car rental agencies are stooping so low.Hopefully there will not be any more businesses pulling scams like that.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#42765
03/02/2015 07:58 AM
03/02/2015 07:58 AM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 888 SXM and NY
ESK
Sponsor
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Sponsor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 888
SXM and NY
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My car rental site lists seven local companies. I've heard nothing but good news about Michael at Unity and Alain at Triple A.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: ESK]
#42766
03/02/2015 08:00 AM
03/02/2015 08:00 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,189 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,189
Ohio
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Correct, deal with local and reputable companies that get mention on here and other good newsletters.
Sometimes what is perceived as the "best" price comes with a high price tag in the end.
J.D.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#42767
03/02/2015 08:15 AM
03/02/2015 08:15 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 993 Pittsburgh PA
plequerre
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 993
Pittsburgh PA
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ruralcarrier said:wilsonck said: I'm surprised the major companies allow stuff like this to happen. As Franchisees of these companies, they should do more to protect their brands and reputations. In most cases, they are NOT franchises of what you deal with in the US. You are NOT in the US and sadly, this stuff happens. It doesn't make it right but people need to understand (just like with some of the timeshare mess), you don't have the same protections you do at home. Exactly! 10 years ago my daughter was victim of a scam pulled by the so-called Budget franchisee in Guatemala and Budget US told her that they had nothing to do with them so they couldn't help. Luckily, her CC Company reversed the charge amounting to close to $3,000 corresponding to the repairs for an accident she never had, and for which the crooks there forged her rental contract by unchecking the boxes and removed her initials where she took all the insurances. To all, make sure you keep a copy of the contract you signed with the rental company. Without it, my daughter had no way of proving that the rental contract she signed had been forged.
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Re: Car rental scam alert
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#42769
03/02/2015 09:41 AM
03/02/2015 09:41 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 837 Florida
wilsonck
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 837
Florida
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ruralcarrier said:wilsonck said: I'm surprised the major companies allow stuff like this to happen. As Franchisees of these companies, they should do more to protect their brands and reputations. In most cases, they are NOT franchises of what you deal with in the US. You are NOT in the US and sadly, this stuff happens. It doesn't make it right but people need to understand (just like with some of the timeshare mess), you don't have the same protections you do at home. If they are not franchisees, then how can one go to (for instance) Hertz.com and book a car in SXM? All the major car rental websites let you book a car in SXM, which tells me they are franchisees and should help you in situations where the locals are trying to rip you off.
Last edited by wilsonck; 03/02/2015 09:43 AM.
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