No St. Thomas rental cars allowed on St. John! UPDATE -

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:42 am

I,and especially my wife value highly the hassle removal that an airport rental gives us.. to the point that it will effect future trip planning decisions. I'd like to start a poll to provide weight for letters/emails to the USVI tourism and motor vehicle departments. Anthony?

Beesmom · Post by **Beesmom** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:52 am

What a shame. I just cancelled with a St. Thomas company and was able to get a jeep on St. John. It's no skin off my nose really - either method to get to St John works for me. My husband will be a little grouchy when I finally get around to telling him but he'll get over it.

Still, it's a stupid law.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:52 am

Randy - I have a pick up truck you can rent

I think I need to start to renting it out (unfortunately I believe it is illegal)

Pia

Randy in MD · Post by **Randy in MD** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:55 am

Shhhhh!!! I won't tell anybody, Pia...

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:01 am

I have reservations in June with Amalie...I much prefer the ease of picking up car at airport, loading up all my stuff, cheaper than paying for people ferry for four people.

Will there be jeeps available on St John??

do i need to cancel with Amalie and rebook on St John?

I know the St Thomas car rental agencies are probably flooded with calls. I hate to cancel and then the rules be changed again.

SOonthebeach · Post by **SOonthebeach** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:02 am

Pia- maybe it can be a "trade"- pick up truck for free labor at "On a Whim"- bartering is OK, right?

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:05 am

CBama wrote:I have reservations in June with Amalie...I much prefer the ease of picking up car at airport, loading up all my stuff, cheaper than paying for people ferry for four people.

Will there be jeeps available on St John??

do i need to cancel with Amalie and rebook on St John?

I know the St Thomas car rental agencies are probably flooded with calls. I hate to cancel and then the rules be changed again.

We're in the same boat. I sent an email to Magdalena at Amalie and told her that if there's any way possible to do so, we intend to rent from them in June as planned. In the meantime I'm seeking backup reservations with an agency on STJ - just in case...

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:10 am

thanks Augie....do you lose any deposit for the St John rental? how much if so?

but I hate to take up inventory from St John market if not sure I will use...BUT I would rather do that than be without a jeep! we are staying in Coral Bay...so we need transportation.....

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:14 am

SoOnthebeach - bartering perfectly fine

In exchange for the use of a pick up truck I will be sending 1 x suitcase shopping lists......curtain lining, outdoor pillows, chocolate, towels, salad spinners etc

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:16 am

CBama wrote:thanks Augie....do you lose any deposit for the St John rental? how much if so?

but I hate to take up inventory from St John market if not sure I will use...BUT I would rather do that than be without a jeep! we are staying in Coral Bay...so we need transportation.....

I don't know...yet. I would imagine that it's a very busy morning on the phones and in the email inboxes at a number of rental companies. Between that, the fact that my trip isn't imminent, the likelihood that people in the business are taking a wait and see attitude, and general island time, I may not know for some time yet!

I believe that most places you have a certain window in which to cancel your reservation without forfeiting the deposit, and I'm kind of taking the leap of faith that this will be worked out one way or the other by that time.

SOonthebeach · Post by **SOonthebeach** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:20 am

Pia wrote:SoOnthebeach - bartering perfectly fine In exchange for the use of a pick up truck I will be sending 1 x suitcase shopping lists......curtain lining, outdoor pillows, chocolate, towels, salad spinners etc

You could have something going there! Ha!

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:27 am

Is this law a violation of Federal Interstate Commerce?

Florida Girl · Post by **Florida Girl** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:36 am

I'm sorry for all you folks who rent on STT and stop by Cost-U-Less and do big shopping. What a hassle. Me? I've never rented a car on STT and never go in high season, so it won't affect me.

If you spend the money on a private taxi, won't they stop at Cost-U-Less and stock up? I realize it would be a hassle to lug everything aboard the people ferry, but it could work.

I bet the car ferry business will suffer, though.

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:41 am

We are on a budget, and it was cheaper (and more convenient) to load all four of us and our luggage one time in St Thomas....and then unload at our villa.

coming back we have a late flight out...so we intended to keep the jeep on St Thomas and take our time and enjoy St Thomas some before leaving.

when you add in the cost of four person for taxi, people ferry and luggage costs....plus the hassle of luggage before going back to airport...(I know taxi drivers would hold luggage for you) but so much more convenient to have your own jeep.

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:51 am

I just entered a complaint on this website: under the contact us link at the bottom of page

http://usvibmv.org/index.php

maybe if we bombard them with complaints it will help.

usvi-on-line

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No St. Thomas rental cars allowed on St. John! UPDATE -