Renting a jeep on STT is tempting... should I??

[EagleRayLover]

We ate big fans of renting on St Thomas.

This got my funny bone. I can't believe you ate people who are big fans of renting on STT!

Some day , may I will learn to type.... But now that I live here.... Who am I kidding. People either love me OT hate me despite me typing challenges. Now saying that- on the last 19 days, I took two different vehicles on the car ferry for the first time. The guys will help you so much!! I promise !!!
Also cost u less saves you a lot. Even if it is just rum - but price smart is actually cheaper!! ( I shopped at all of them
Today Kmart, cost u less, price smart and Home Depot!) the savings is incredible. Dare I say even close to prices In florida. Except rum which is always cheaper here!!

[Pia]

" I'll continue to rent with Budget, but I'll have a back up reservation made with someone else as well just in case."

Please do not do this - the agencies on St John (and St Thomas) rely on honest people to show up for a reservation when they have made a reservation - so yes totally "stiffing" a company who may not be able to rent the car. Having said that I know many companies have a 3 week cancellation policy so it may not be an option anyway.

This is also true for large groups that make reservations for multiple restaurants for the same evening and just cancel one an hour or so before (or even just don't show up) - please it is a "no no"

Thanks

Pia

[smilesfromMN]

Well said!

[Myheart'sinSTJ]

Please don't say that about Budget ! We have 2 jeeps rented for our group starting mid-June.....Don't know where else I could get one this late in the game . Oh...here comes the worries again....noooooo.

Sherry in S.C.

"Sherry's Living in Paradise" ( I wish)

philbetm-Just saying that was my terrible experience with Budget and it was January so maybe you will have better luck since it is not "high season".
Best of luck!

[philbetm]

Going to keep calling Budget each week and reconfirming the reservation !

Sherry

[Myheart'sinSTJ]

Going to keep calling Budget each week and reconfirming the reservation !

Sherry

I reconfirmed the night before I left too..

[pswlrw]

I reserved 2 jeeps one year with either Budget or Avis (can't remember which one). I did it online. When I called a week before to confirm, they only had 1 jeep for us because they "assumed" the second reservation was a duplicate and they had no more jeeps!! . Destination St. John was able to get us a jeep at St. John Car Rental. The trip before that, I reserved a 4 door jeep at Budget and when we arrived they only had a two door which was VERY cramped for the 4 of us. They would have a 4 door the next day but we would have to come back to St. Thomas to exchange the cars - we ended up renting an additional car on St. John instead. After these 2 back to back episodes, we just rent from St. John Car Rental all the time.

[poidog]

I never said I would be "stiffing" anyone. Relax people. Maybe I'm okay paying a cancellation fee to guarantee a car, or maybe their company policies allow last minute reservations. All I'm saying is that I'm protecting myself, the consumer, that I have an honored reservation.

[Pia]

Sorry but holding two reservations when you only intend to honor one, if you do not give sufficient notice (a month or more not a day or two) imo would be "stiffing" them. This is a very small island and people depend on income from renting their vehicles - if they can't re-rent your cancelled vehicle and have turned away business it is not fair to them.

Having said that, if you intend to give plenty of notice (a month or more) then OK (I guess) but should you cancel one a month out how does that protect you - you would only be "protected" (as you say) by holding 2 reservations if you show up at the counter and they say "sorry we do not have a vehicle for you" (such as Budget is known for doing) then you could say "no worries I will go and get my car from my other reservation I am holding with _______ company"

The cancellation fee for canceling with less than 3 weeks notice is payment in full by the way, not just a small cancellation fee (at least with the companies I know - Conrad Sutton on STJ for instance)

Pia

[poidog]

Thanks for the info, it's appreciated, but I didn't say that to entice a debate on car rental ethics. Where is the ethics to take a reservation and then not honor it? Let's agree to disagree and enjoy this lovely day!

[Pia]

Agreed

Have a great one

[vi lover]

I've been a loyal Budget customer for 8 of our 9 trips (including this past April). But no more. Waited in line over 30 minutes to get to the counter. Then, had to wait over 30 minutes after signing the paperwork for a car to be cleaned and delivered and only got it when another customer refused to accept the Ford Escape when he rented a Jeep (we were the ONLY ones in the baggage claim area by the time the car came). AND - I filled my tank at a station that they said was "too far away" from the airport (less than 5 miles I'll add). So they charged me an extra $18 for an 1/8 tank of gas.

I gladly paid it. Smiled and told the lady to "do what she felt was the right thing to do". And now I'll gladly spend an extra $50-$100 to rent from a more local company. I'm done with them.

I'll, frankly, always rent on STT. We normally stay on STT 2 nights then move to STJ for 7. I'll be renting from Dependable, Amalie, or Discount from now on.

[philbetm]

Forumites....I have been all over the Avis site trying to figure out if they let you
take their cars to STJ . I can't find anything that tells me. I found out quickly that Hertz does not allow theirs off STT. Can someone please help ?
I have read so many responses about Budget that I am really scared to depend on having the Jeep available when we get there. We have used them several times in the past with only having a "dud" once...but having a brand new Ford Explorer once as well. I have also received several PM's saying I need to
re-think using Budget this time.

Thank you so much all...for being patient with my questions...you would think we have never been there before...but this is like 10 years we have been coming now.
Just seems to make a person more nervous when they are bringing Newbies with them.

[philbetm]

Smiles....I need to apologize ...I really didn't mean to steal your thread!

Sherry P.

[smilesfromMN]

Sherry-
No apology needed!
I got all of the information I needed on page 1.
Now the thread has a mind of its own!
I hope you get the answers you need.
Happy planning & travels!!