Is it just me?

[Heather]

Re: Conrad Sutton and other STJ car rental places, I can't imagine what a pain it must be to own a car rental agency on a small island. Buying the vehicles, transporating, maintaining, cleaning, edumacating people about driving on the island, dealing with some of the ruder traveling public (I used to manage a resort - I know!), the issues of ever increasing land prices and how they manage their tiny lots, hurricane insurance and moving cars when storms do hit, etc, etc. Lions and tigers and bears oh my!!!

A little politeness goes a long way.

[HawkeyeChick]

I actually read that thread last night when I couldn't sleep. LOL. To me it seemed a bit over the top. It was clear there was going to be no agreement in the matter so I'm not sure why any parties persisted in trying the other to agree.

That said, I do find this board MUCH more laid back and for that, I'm grateful.

[Genral]

Hey there Bert! We've rented from a few different places, and they all seem to be very close in price. Never used Conrad, so can't say anything about that, We rented from ST John Car Rental the last few times and they were very nice to deal with, amnd have good, low mileage vehicles. As far as how people are treated, I think everyone should remember that anyone can have a bad day, agents as well as customers. Imagine having to sit in the office all day while everyone you deal with is going to the beach! That would be enough to aggravate me. Take care, Genral aka Jenralé

[LysaC]

I'm chiming in here about the tripadvisor forum. It seems that lately there is no innocent exchange of opinions and experiences there- everyone is being attacked and arguments ensue!

I read the Conrad Sutton thread and didn't reply even though hubby and I had a fine experience with them this past December. I just didn't want to step in that insanity.

I actually warned hubby about the potential for badness in dealing with Mr Sutton based on some negative posts I had seen but hubby got along really well with Mr. Sutton and they chatted a bit. Carmen was very polite and professional.

If you have the time, check out the tripadvisor chain on having a passport or not for BVI charters. Talk about aggressive egomaniacs! I put my 2 cents in based on my expriences this past December and was attacked. In fact, every poster who reccomended getting a passort (regardless of the current laws) was cut to shreds! Amazing... there are some real immature "I know what's best no matter what you say" people hanging around there recently. Really off-putting.

[CariBert]

Hey Jenralé, Thanks for the reply. I was thinking I should move this question to a new thread, as it seems to have gotten lost in the "is it just me" controversy.

I may move it anyway......

-Bert

[DCphoto]

Mia, I was not directing my comments to you when I talked about being respectful with saying good morning or afternoon. I would never tell someone how to act. If I had not read the boards before going I would not have known that. Just passing along the advise to people who otherwise would not know. You got very upset with that for some reason. As far as giving my opinion on renting from Conrad Sutton, it was from experiences I have had with him and Gladys. Maybe they are not the warmest people on St. John but just saying I would use them again and if I don't have a good experience next trip I'll let people know. No bad feelings here toward anyone who lends a helping hand in helping people plan their trip to St. John. I would have been lost if it was not for people who share their experiences.

[DonnaC]

I have to agree with the folks at Trip Advisor and would NEVER rent from him again. NEVER..The car we "reserved" was not in..remember that Seinfeld episode???lol, but the car they gave us was a "heap" at best..Full of dents & dings..Car died at the top of the Trunk Bay overlook, after calling for help, someone came up to see what was wrong and acused us of putting dents in tje car..you HAD to see it, and accused us of possibly even being in an accident..he wanted us to return to town so they could look at it before giving us a new car..hubby refused and insisted we just swap cars..The attitude was unreal..I have been in the service business for years..No apologies nothing...Like I said..NEVER again.

[Noreen]

Having once survived a car rental that had roaches (in FL, years ago), I guess we're pretty easy to please. That being said, we've had great experiences with Conrad Sutton, and I've recommended them to others.

[mia]

Bandit wrote:
Well Mia...I suppose one needs to define the word "much" as at least on this particular forum I don't recall one negative post regarding Mr. Suttons business.

Well Bandit,
I guess you didn't read the post right above your's, the one written by wishwewerethere? I'm quite sure I could find several more, however it's not worth my time.
And actually the comparison between Caribbean Villas and Conrad Sutton is not apples and oranges. The remarks on this forum expressed many negatives re CV, which could potentially hurt their business. The same goes for the negatives expressed about Conrad Sutton. Now, which exactly do you consider to be apples or oranges. Why do you take umbrage with legitimate criticism directed towards Mr. Sutton? Does he have immunity from folks speaking out about their grievances ?

Bandit wrote:
specifically people who have traveled from places like Boston or New York , who have had to leave in the wee hours of the morning, without their Starbucks, in cramped airplanes, with crying babies and dirty diapers, wearing clogs and black socks, etc. Those guys are difficult to deal with anywhere/anytime. I've seen it...I want it now, it has to be red, it's what I ordered!!!

Really Bandit?
Was your blatant generalization about Bostonians and New Yorkers meant to be amusing? Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead in black socks and clogs...I'll take a pair of Manolo pumps any old day.
Your remarks directed at people from NY and Boston, implying that we are rude and demanding don't even merit a response...they speak for themselves.

[RickG]

Wow, I'll skip this thread in the future. Almost as bad as the "smoking is evil" thread.

(happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts)

Anger is a gift.

[mia]

You are absolutely right RickG....I regret having gotten into it at all. Now how did that go?

happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts.....

Thanks Rick....I needed that

[jmq]

Now I am sure their are some negative feelings, as no business is perfect, especially one that deals with the general public, and specifically people who have traveled from places like Boston or New York who have had to leave in the wee hours of the morning, without their Starbucks, in cramped airplanes, with crying babies and dirty diapers, wearing clogs and black socks, etc. Those guys are difficult to deal with anywhere/anytime. I've seen it...I want it now, it has to be red, it's what I ordered!!!

How come its still OK rag on New Yorkers in polite company but not on other subsets of society? Just asking...

[wontongirl]

I like using Conrad and am using him again in November. We had to use Courtesy for the May trip because Conrad didnt have a Montero available and we need ir for 5 people. I dont like that board either. Too B%it7c**hy

[California Girl]

Mia, I understand your point exactly, and you are right, everyone has a right to express their opinion. I based my choice of a car rental agency on comments on this forum, both positive and negative. It was good to hear both sides of peoples' impressions and then make my own decision.

It seems that a lot of people have commented in this thread about how bitchin' cool this forum is, and after getting blasted myself on other forums, I am now a devotee to only this forum.

I would ask everyone to please don't turn this forum into what everyone is complaining about regarding other forums... it's like a virus and I don't want "my" forum to catch it. We have a good group here, please, let's don't bicker.

[Xislandgirl]

I think that one of the best things I get from this forum is the diversity. We all come from different places and different backgrounds and, best of all, we all have differing opinions.

I am 2 hours from NY and 2 hours from Boston and I have heard that "uptight" NY or New England comment a hundred times and it doesn't bother me. It is true in many cases. I don't agree with making generalizations, but I am sure all of us up North know someone like that. (Unless you are in Maine, where I think it illegal to be uptight. Where I plan on retiring)

I am hoping that we will not turn this into personal attacks. I really like it here, I spend a lot of time here, and I would hate to see it change.