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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: bigbobthib]
#36850
01/28/2015 04:30 PM
01/28/2015 04:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,536 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,536
Ohio
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Not every rental agency does the "nickle and dime" dance, although the pictures are not a bad idea. Especially if you are unfamiliar with the rental agency you are dealing with.
I have only had it pulled one time on me and it was an agency with a name familiar here in the states. Never again.
J.D.
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: Dansc]
#36858
01/28/2015 05:52 PM
01/28/2015 05:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515
Eastern Caribbean
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I've long had a habit of photographing rental cars. Not so much with the "broken in" cars in SXM however.
Funny, in LA they have so many cars in their fleets that you could bring a car back with an axe embedded in the hood and they wouldn't even blink.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: Alaskan]
#36866
01/28/2015 11:42 PM
01/28/2015 11:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,648
Brookfield, CT.
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Alaskan said: I have a better idea: find a rental company you are comfortable with, and then build a trust-based relationship with that company over time. Personally, I would never insult the person we deal with by taking such photos in his presence. He trusts me not to beat up his equipment, and I trust him to be fair on his side of the deal. This approach works ... try it. If you don't know who to try, there are several rental companies that get consistently great reviews on this discussion board. Thank you, Alaskan. My sentiments exactly. When the day happens that I feel the need to take these measures, that will be the day I know it's time to fine another agency to do business with. <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: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: cacapasa]
#36868
01/29/2015 02:06 AM
01/29/2015 02:06 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 882 Arizona
marybeth
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 882
Arizona
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We've never been nickeled and dimed by Unity in all the multiple years we've rented from them. In the US where I rent cars frequently, I have an iPhone app for rental car pics and never fail to take the pictures. More than once they have tried to bill me for "damages" - even when they've marked them as damaged before I accepted the car - and a picture stops them in their tracks.
MB
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: boucharda]
#36869
01/29/2015 08:14 AM
01/29/2015 08:14 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 459 Decatur Illinois
astropilot
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Traveler
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Posts: 459
Decatur Illinois
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boucharda said: Alain (TripleA) or Lesley (Kenny's) has never tried to nickle/dime us so pics would not even be in my plans I don't know about Alain, but you are right about Lesley!! I never seen him on a retrun trip, always just parked the vehicle at the airport and headed inside for our flight. Never a problem.
Dave & Diana
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: Alaskan]
#36870
01/29/2015 08:23 AM
01/29/2015 08:23 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,425 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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Posts: 13,425
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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Alaskan said: I have a better idea: find a rental company you are comfortable with, and then build a trust-based relationship with that company over time. Personally, I would never insult the person we deal with by taking such photos in his presence. He trusts me not to beat up his equipment, and I trust him to be fair on his side of the deal. This approach works ... try it. If you don't know who to try, there are several rental companies that get consistently great reviews on this discussion board. Agreed! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: jollymonsrv]
#36875
01/29/2015 02:39 PM
01/29/2015 02:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 993 Pittsburgh PA
plequerre
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 993
Pittsburgh PA
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jollymonsrv said: AAA/Alain is the best re: small dents and scratches. First hand experienced MANY times Same here. Alain and Myra are great people.
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: plequerre]
#36876
01/29/2015 07:26 PM
01/29/2015 07:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176 Nebraska
joyonthebeach
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Nebraska
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I see taking photos of the car as protection for both the renter and rental agency. We don't all have a personal relationship with the agencies.
Don't Postpone JOY
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: joyonthebeach]
#36877
01/29/2015 07:51 PM
01/29/2015 07:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613 originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613
originally Long Island, NY/now...
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Personally, we have never done so, but can't see why any reputable rental person would mind you taking pictures of the car.
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: marybeth]
#36878
01/29/2015 08:05 PM
01/29/2015 08:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,955 NH
SandyandBill
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,955
NH
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marybeth said: We've never been nickeled and dimed by Unity in all the multiple years we've rented from them. In the US where I rent cars frequently, I have an iPhone app for rental car pics and never fail to take the pictures. More than once they have tried to bill me for "damages" - even when they've marked them as damaged before I accepted the car - and a picture stops them in their tracks. Same here Marybeth. We also have used Unity for years and as a result, trust him enough to bypass the damage inspection stuff. That being said, having spent over 30 years traveling across the US renting cars mostly job related, it was my number one priority making sure every ding and dent is documented prior to taking the car.
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: Bob10kat]
#36880
01/29/2015 10:36 PM
01/29/2015 10:36 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,311 Vancouver, WA
Todd
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Posts: 4,311
Vancouver, WA
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I have never had an issue with anybody on SXM, zero. I would note that I have rented from Sens Unique, Route 66, Valley, one I do not remember the name but they closed, and mostly Unity over the years. I trust Unity more than the others and yes I am a regular there. I was not always a regular with them, but did not have any issues while building that relationship.
I have been in an accident, not my fault, was not an issue and wish it was that little hassle when I am with my own car in the US. I have had a couple other small issues, again, no problem.
So I am kind of surprised by this thread. I would also note that I have status with a couple US Based major rental companies and I would not consider ever renting from one of them in the Carib where it is not really the same.
I like the local small companies that do not jump under the umbrella of some giant just to gain name recognition at a cost.
Cheers, Todd
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: joyonthebeach]
#36882
01/30/2015 11:00 AM
01/30/2015 11:00 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,194 Virginia
Snorkeller
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Traveler
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Posts: 1,194
Virginia
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joyonthebeach said: I see taking photos of the car as protection for both the renter and rental agency. We don't all have a personal relationship with the agencies. Hard to argue with the common sense of taking the pictures. I would comment on your reference to "personal relationship," however, that (just my experience and sense of things) that with guys like Alain, Lesley, and Michael (just names I know), you can get the benefit of that "personal relationship" on your first rental if you approach it in that way. I have said it before and continue to believe that you can get a rental car on SXM at cheaper prices with better service that anywhere else in the world - I really do not know how some of these guys do it.
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: kcm]
#36885
01/30/2015 03:55 PM
01/30/2015 03:55 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 913 N CENT COMMONWEALTH OF MA
SXMSAMMY
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 913
N CENT COMMONWEALTH OF MA
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Liability is a must, as US insurance companies do not provide coverage on SXM. The $5 day charge is piece of mind coverage......
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Re: Idea! Always Do This When Renting A Car In SXM.
[Re: SXMSAMMY]
#36886
01/30/2015 03:58 PM
01/30/2015 03:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613 originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613
originally Long Island, NY/now...
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We always take the liability and decline the CDW, which is covered by our credit card. The liability is not expensive and very important.
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
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