usvi-on-line
I Got Lost......
I Got Lost......
I posted this on the "Is it just me" thread, but I think it got lost in the controversy.....so I'll just start a new thread and ask my question here.
By the way, Jenrale answered me over on the other thread.....he's a good guy....
As long as we are discussing car rentals, I have a question. I have no experience renting cars on St. John, so for those who have done it often, are the prices pretty much the same at all rental places? In other words, is Conrad Sutton about the same price as, say, St. John Car Rental for the same type of car?
Is the main reason you choose one over another the service, or the price? We are going to be there in June, and are looking for two cars (for 3 couples). I don’t want to find a dirt cheap place and have the cars fall apart, but I don’t want to pay PREMIUM prices either.
Any opinions on this? I realize that opinions are just what they are. One of the problems with a chat board, or any conversation on a computer is the lack of inflection for stress and/or humor. Lord knows I have gotten in trouble because what I typed was taken the wrong way……however, having said that, I am open to all of your opinions about this subject.
Thanks,
-Bert
By the way, Jenrale answered me over on the other thread.....he's a good guy....
As long as we are discussing car rentals, I have a question. I have no experience renting cars on St. John, so for those who have done it often, are the prices pretty much the same at all rental places? In other words, is Conrad Sutton about the same price as, say, St. John Car Rental for the same type of car?
Is the main reason you choose one over another the service, or the price? We are going to be there in June, and are looking for two cars (for 3 couples). I don’t want to find a dirt cheap place and have the cars fall apart, but I don’t want to pay PREMIUM prices either.
Any opinions on this? I realize that opinions are just what they are. One of the problems with a chat board, or any conversation on a computer is the lack of inflection for stress and/or humor. Lord knows I have gotten in trouble because what I typed was taken the wrong way……however, having said that, I am open to all of your opinions about this subject.
Thanks,
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
-
Pete (Mr. Marcia)
- Posts: 1471
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:48 pm
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Bert,
I think the prices of the various agencies are pretty similar. We like renting from Suttons for three, main reasons. First, we always have gotten great service. Second, the cars are in good shape. Third, they let you park in their lot at night and the lot is located in the heart of town.
Hope that helps.
Pete
I think the prices of the various agencies are pretty similar. We like renting from Suttons for three, main reasons. First, we always have gotten great service. Second, the cars are in good shape. Third, they let you park in their lot at night and the lot is located in the heart of town.
Hope that helps.
Pete
Wisconsin, smell the dairy air
The prices seem generally pretty close. St. John Car Rental has a Jeep Liberty for $510 per week in season with collision insurance $12 per day. Conrad Sutton has the same for $480 with insurance with a $1500 deductible included.
Insurance seems to be the big $ difference. If you have coverage with your own car insurance policy and credit card provided covereage then the prices are pretty much the same.
A bigger decision point is parking. Penns seems to be a favorite for their large parking area. Conrad's has good parking at night, but daytime is tough.
Cheers, RickG
Insurance seems to be the big $ difference. If you have coverage with your own car insurance policy and credit card provided covereage then the prices are pretty much the same.
A bigger decision point is parking. Penns seems to be a favorite for their large parking area. Conrad's has good parking at night, but daytime is tough.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Greetings! We have rented from STJ Car rental for nearly 10 years and love them. They are always super nice and we've always gotten great cars from them.
We usually book and pay with our Amex which offers plenty of insurance coverage.
Always been able to find a space on their lot as well. And it's very convenient to town.
One of the things that I don't do is rent on STT and take the car ferry over. I know some folks swear by this approach, but if I rent on STJ and I have a problem I can get it taken care of pretty easily. However, if you rent on STT and are on STJ with your vehicle you're going to waste a whole day and extra ferry fees to get that situation resolved. Besides I prefer to hunt down a cabbie, pile into a van with strangers, drag my luggage across the busy street in CA a la Frogger, and get a start on my tan by waiting for the ferry in the hot sun, thankyouverymuch! It's all part of the initiation to my vacation
My other big issue is that I want to support the LOCAL companies on STJ, not some national chain. Some of these folks came to STJ and started these companies decades ago to build what they have today--I love STJ Car rentals story on their web site.
Lonnie and her staff are absolutely delightful and I wouldn't consider renting from anyone else.
That being said, I find that all of the prices are similar and I NEVER rent thru the rental co which only accepts MC/Visa and from past experience seem to charge a bit extra to do so (aforementioned rental co shall remain nameless). I just prefer to make those requests myself and use Amex.
We usually book and pay with our Amex which offers plenty of insurance coverage.
Always been able to find a space on their lot as well. And it's very convenient to town.
One of the things that I don't do is rent on STT and take the car ferry over. I know some folks swear by this approach, but if I rent on STJ and I have a problem I can get it taken care of pretty easily. However, if you rent on STT and are on STJ with your vehicle you're going to waste a whole day and extra ferry fees to get that situation resolved. Besides I prefer to hunt down a cabbie, pile into a van with strangers, drag my luggage across the busy street in CA a la Frogger, and get a start on my tan by waiting for the ferry in the hot sun, thankyouverymuch! It's all part of the initiation to my vacation
My other big issue is that I want to support the LOCAL companies on STJ, not some national chain. Some of these folks came to STJ and started these companies decades ago to build what they have today--I love STJ Car rentals story on their web site.
Lonnie and her staff are absolutely delightful and I wouldn't consider renting from anyone else.
That being said, I find that all of the prices are similar and I NEVER rent thru the rental co which only accepts MC/Visa and from past experience seem to charge a bit extra to do so (aforementioned rental co shall remain nameless). I just prefer to make those requests myself and use Amex.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
I have a jeep liberty lined up for an off-season trip through Conrad and the ladies Sutton & its $450 for the week (+$75 for my extra day). The only extra fee is the $2/day tax which they all include.
I have a feeling they are all pretty comparable. I actually have only gotten a crappy (not just scratched up but dangerous tires) when allowing the villa rental agency (one I will no longer use) to arrange the rental.
I have a feeling they are all pretty comparable. I actually have only gotten a crappy (not just scratched up but dangerous tires) when allowing the villa rental agency (one I will no longer use) to arrange the rental.
Slipping the topic a bit, but AmEx CC was mentioned for covering car insurance. Anyone else see the Conde Nast Traveler article where somebody totalled their rental car in NM and AmEx wouldn't pay for it? According to the police it wasn't the driver's fault, and they were on a county road, but since the road was unpaved(and many roads are in NM)it was a breach of the rental contract and so the claim was denied. So I guess it pays to read all the contract fine print.
Just adding my 2 cents. Last year I booked C&C because they advertised on their website that they have a hurricane season special/discount. I think aside from this most rental places charge very similar prices. C&C offers 4 and 6 cylinder Jeeps. I don't know that the rest do. I just saw too that they will be renting cigarette boats 
Anyway-last year we were delayed for 8 hours in Miami airport and we arrived on St John around 11:45pm at the small ferry dock. There was a guy waiting for us either from C&C or a friend of them. We did not realize this at the time. C&C personnel was waiting in Coral Bay with our keys at that hour. I thought that was extra nice. Too bad we were too tired to understand that this guy was trying to help us. Our Jeep was newer too. The only complaint I could have is that C&C is located at the top of the hill, near the Texaco so if you wanted to use their lot( I am assuming they would let you) it would be a hike back up after drinks (not good). Also- this was off-season so... take this as you will. We thought they were nice to deal with.
Anyway-last year we were delayed for 8 hours in Miami airport and we arrived on St John around 11:45pm at the small ferry dock. There was a guy waiting for us either from C&C or a friend of them. We did not realize this at the time. C&C personnel was waiting in Coral Bay with our keys at that hour. I thought that was extra nice. Too bad we were too tired to understand that this guy was trying to help us. Our Jeep was newer too. The only complaint I could have is that C&C is located at the top of the hill, near the Texaco so if you wanted to use their lot( I am assuming they would let you) it would be a hike back up after drinks (not good). Also- this was off-season so... take this as you will. We thought they were nice to deal with.
When will I see St John again?
Car rental
Since I am arriving at STT I decided to rent my jeep there and take the car barge over. Figured it would be best so I wouldnt have to be at the mercy of the taxis..
Note also that lotsa trip insurance policies also provide some sort of rental car coverage, so between that, extra coverage from your credit card, and your personal MV policy, there may be no need at all to buy the coverage from the rental company.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
The prices are similar. We are getting a Jeep Liberty through L&L this year because they give a 5% discount if you're renting through Viva. So that's $22.50 from the $450.00 weekly rate. I just don't know where I'm going to spend it all. The only truly bad experience we've had (and it was bad) was Hertz on St. John. Would never ever rent from them again.
Car Rental
I used L&L rental this past March and had a less than desirable experience. I will not use them again for future trips - I will use one of the other companies recommended on the Board.
Re: Car Rental
jdubb wrote:I used L&L rental this past March and had a less than desirable experience. I will not use them again for future trips - I will use one of the other companies recommended on the Board.
What happened?