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Estate Concordia and Dependable Car Rental Issues
Estate Concordia and Dependable Car Rental Issues
Let me start by saying that now that we aren't "in the heat of the moment" we actually had a fantastic trip and, really, how bad can it be when you are on St. John?
You can see in my story that we made our own mistakes along the way so I certainly don't blame all of our troubles on others!
Estate Concordia Eco-Tents: We are outdoorsy people for sure but 5 people in a small eco-tent in July was downright miserable. It was obscenely hot and what they call "fans" are two 3 inch fans that can only blow on 2 of the 5 beds. The loft does not get much airflow compared to the rest of the tent so it was stifling. The compost toilet was very smelly and the solar shower (unless we were using it incorrectly) has almost no pressure so you weren't showering as much as you were splashing a little water around. The pool on property was great except that it was often filled with drunk, cursing college kids and that just wasn't appropriate for our kids. Also, the storms coming in at night were very, very loud and scary for my kids.
The other issue we had was a customer service issue that does still bother me. When we made reservations 6 months prior we were quoted $90/night. The second day we were there we were called to the office and told our rate would be $120 because of an error made by one of their employees. I totally understood the error, it made perfect sense but I am also the kind of person that feels a company should honor their mistake. If they had called a week or a month after reservation and told me I would have been okay with it but the 2nd day of our vacation?
Despite this, the staff was very nice and professional. They did give us a refund on the unused nights minus a $10/day early departure fee.
I don't personally think I would stay there again, especially with children, but I wouldn't say it was an awful experience. It just felt like we were on an episode of "Survivor" rather than vacation.
(Car Rental in next post)
You can see in my story that we made our own mistakes along the way so I certainly don't blame all of our troubles on others!
Estate Concordia Eco-Tents: We are outdoorsy people for sure but 5 people in a small eco-tent in July was downright miserable. It was obscenely hot and what they call "fans" are two 3 inch fans that can only blow on 2 of the 5 beds. The loft does not get much airflow compared to the rest of the tent so it was stifling. The compost toilet was very smelly and the solar shower (unless we were using it incorrectly) has almost no pressure so you weren't showering as much as you were splashing a little water around. The pool on property was great except that it was often filled with drunk, cursing college kids and that just wasn't appropriate for our kids. Also, the storms coming in at night were very, very loud and scary for my kids.
The other issue we had was a customer service issue that does still bother me. When we made reservations 6 months prior we were quoted $90/night. The second day we were there we were called to the office and told our rate would be $120 because of an error made by one of their employees. I totally understood the error, it made perfect sense but I am also the kind of person that feels a company should honor their mistake. If they had called a week or a month after reservation and told me I would have been okay with it but the 2nd day of our vacation?
Despite this, the staff was very nice and professional. They did give us a refund on the unused nights minus a $10/day early departure fee.
I don't personally think I would stay there again, especially with children, but I wouldn't say it was an awful experience. It just felt like we were on an episode of "Survivor" rather than vacation.
(Car Rental in next post)
Sadly, I don't have great things to say about Dependable.
When you rent from Dependable they are very clear that you are taking the car to STJ at your own risk. They are not responsible for the car once you are over there and you are responsible for getting the car back to STT no matter what. So we all read this and think nothing will happen on our vacation right?
On Day 3 we were on Centerline Rd. heading to Cruz Bay when the car just stopped. No warning, it just stopped in the middle of the road. This was 4:30 pm on a Saturday. We called Dependable and they told us we were own our own, they close at 5 and they wouldn't do anything for us. They gave us the number of a local tow truck driver and kept repeating "you are own your own." Now I totally understand that we would have to pay for the tow truck and the car barge to send the car back but they wouldn't even send another car over that afternoon for us! They wouldn't even call us a taxi or recommend a place to get an overnight rental while we waited until Sunday morning. They said they would pick my husband up at Red Hook in the morning and he could get another car. It cost us $155 for the tow truck, car barge, and a ride for all 5 of us back to the villa.
Sunday morning my husband hitches to Cruz Bay to take the passeger ferry over to Red Hook. When he calls Dependable to let him know he will be there in about 20 minutes they yelled at him for not taking the ferry to CA! They told us Red Hook the night before but my husband said it seemed like it was an inconvenience for them to come get him. So he gets a new car and brings it back to STJ. Bliss right?
(This is where we made our own mistake!)
Wednesday my husband forgot to take the car key out of his swim trunks while snorkeling at Maho and when we tried to leave the car wouldn't start. Again, this happened at 4:30pm. Dependable again told us we were on our own but we could send the car back via tow truck and car ferry. Thankfully, they also told us we could try to dry the key with a hair dryer and see if that helped. We spent $40 on a taxi back to the villa...we were able to get the key opened and dried. My husband hitched back to Maho and the car started! Bliss right?
The morning of our departure we were heading to Cruz Bay and the car wouldn't start! My husband finally got it to turn over and he threw it in gear...we never turned it off again until we got to Red Hook! If it stalled there it would be Dependable's problem.
Obviously, we made our own mistake with the key and we totally understood the risk of taking the car to STJ. You just never think it's going to happen to you! Well, it does happen and I was not happy with the customer service. I want to be clear that I am okay with their policies but the cutomer service and car reliability was seriously lacking.
I loved getting a car on STT because you can just get in and go! But the risk involved is too great for us. We were stranded, with 2 kids and no customer service to even call us a taxi or look up a taxi number for us! Maybe there are other STT companies that offer more service? If we can't find anything more reliable in terms of helping customers on STJ then we will always rent once we hit St. John.
When you rent from Dependable they are very clear that you are taking the car to STJ at your own risk. They are not responsible for the car once you are over there and you are responsible for getting the car back to STT no matter what. So we all read this and think nothing will happen on our vacation right?
On Day 3 we were on Centerline Rd. heading to Cruz Bay when the car just stopped. No warning, it just stopped in the middle of the road. This was 4:30 pm on a Saturday. We called Dependable and they told us we were own our own, they close at 5 and they wouldn't do anything for us. They gave us the number of a local tow truck driver and kept repeating "you are own your own." Now I totally understand that we would have to pay for the tow truck and the car barge to send the car back but they wouldn't even send another car over that afternoon for us! They wouldn't even call us a taxi or recommend a place to get an overnight rental while we waited until Sunday morning. They said they would pick my husband up at Red Hook in the morning and he could get another car. It cost us $155 for the tow truck, car barge, and a ride for all 5 of us back to the villa.
Sunday morning my husband hitches to Cruz Bay to take the passeger ferry over to Red Hook. When he calls Dependable to let him know he will be there in about 20 minutes they yelled at him for not taking the ferry to CA! They told us Red Hook the night before but my husband said it seemed like it was an inconvenience for them to come get him. So he gets a new car and brings it back to STJ. Bliss right?
(This is where we made our own mistake!)
Wednesday my husband forgot to take the car key out of his swim trunks while snorkeling at Maho and when we tried to leave the car wouldn't start. Again, this happened at 4:30pm. Dependable again told us we were on our own but we could send the car back via tow truck and car ferry. Thankfully, they also told us we could try to dry the key with a hair dryer and see if that helped. We spent $40 on a taxi back to the villa...we were able to get the key opened and dried. My husband hitched back to Maho and the car started! Bliss right?
The morning of our departure we were heading to Cruz Bay and the car wouldn't start! My husband finally got it to turn over and he threw it in gear...we never turned it off again until we got to Red Hook! If it stalled there it would be Dependable's problem.
Obviously, we made our own mistake with the key and we totally understood the risk of taking the car to STJ. You just never think it's going to happen to you! Well, it does happen and I was not happy with the customer service. I want to be clear that I am okay with their policies but the cutomer service and car reliability was seriously lacking.
I loved getting a car on STT because you can just get in and go! But the risk involved is too great for us. We were stranded, with 2 kids and no customer service to even call us a taxi or look up a taxi number for us! Maybe there are other STT companies that offer more service? If we can't find anything more reliable in terms of helping customers on STJ then we will always rent once we hit St. John.
Last edited by jenxogirl on Fri Aug 05, 2011 3:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
What was fantastic about our trip?
Windspree for getting us a villa in no time! We moved in in less than 2 hours!
Our villa, Casa Nita, in St. Quaco and Zimmerman was perfect for our group...spacious and not too fancy that my kids couldn't run free. Air conditioning in the bedrooms was wonderful!
Pia, for stopping to see if we needed help during the Centerline Rd. breakdown!
A local driver who packed us all in his car to drive us home!
My husband had VERY successful hitchhiking adventures! Whoever they were, they were fabulous, kind, and funny!
Maho...awesome for my 3 year old to play free!
My 8 year old was a snorkeling pro by the time we left!
New beaches for us: Francis, Salt Pond, Cinnamon Bay--loved them all!
Aqua Bistro was a new restaurant for us and we went there for our 11 year anniversary dinner--YUMMY!
Shipwreck Landing for a couple of lunches...the fish and chis are drool-worthy!
On our last night I wrote "Hi Forum" in the sand for the Spice Cam....did anyone catch it?
It really was a great trip!
Windspree for getting us a villa in no time! We moved in in less than 2 hours!
Our villa, Casa Nita, in St. Quaco and Zimmerman was perfect for our group...spacious and not too fancy that my kids couldn't run free. Air conditioning in the bedrooms was wonderful!
Pia, for stopping to see if we needed help during the Centerline Rd. breakdown!
A local driver who packed us all in his car to drive us home!
My husband had VERY successful hitchhiking adventures! Whoever they were, they were fabulous, kind, and funny!
Maho...awesome for my 3 year old to play free!
My 8 year old was a snorkeling pro by the time we left!
New beaches for us: Francis, Salt Pond, Cinnamon Bay--loved them all!
Aqua Bistro was a new restaurant for us and we went there for our 11 year anniversary dinner--YUMMY!
Shipwreck Landing for a couple of lunches...the fish and chis are drool-worthy!
On our last night I wrote "Hi Forum" in the sand for the Spice Cam....did anyone catch it?
It really was a great trip!
Last edited by jenxogirl on Fri Aug 05, 2011 7:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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GotToGetAway
- Posts: 396
- Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:55 pm
- Location: FL
Wow.
I can't imagine if I was in your shoes for that trip I'd have such an overall good attitude.
Sorry to hear of your issues with renting on STT. We never rented from Dependable, and now never will. Seems to me, companies wouldn't get repeat business from their customers after leaving them stranded without so much as helping get a phone number for a taxi service.
I can't imagine if I was in your shoes for that trip I'd have such an overall good attitude.
Sorry to hear of your issues with renting on STT. We never rented from Dependable, and now never will. Seems to me, companies wouldn't get repeat business from their customers after leaving them stranded without so much as helping get a phone number for a taxi service.
Tickerless 
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Kentuckygirl
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Kentucky
[/url]Wow,......I'm sorry, but that car experience was so bad it's hilarious! We never rent on STT because we're always freaked about something like this potentially happening, but a lot of people on the forum swear by it, so i suppose your experience is probably an outlier on this chart......like real far out there!
So sorry it happened.....but you know, you really gained some great experience by seeing how helpful some of the locals were when you got in trouble. Especially Windspree, 2 hrs, thats just awesome.....the kind of service you never forget.
You've got a great attitude about this, so look at the bright side, you'll also have some great stories to tell at family get togethers.
So sorry it happened.....but you know, you really gained some great experience by seeing how helpful some of the locals were when you got in trouble. Especially Windspree, 2 hrs, thats just awesome.....the kind of service you never forget.
You've got a great attitude about this, so look at the bright side, you'll also have some great stories to tell at family get togethers.
Windspree is just flat out one of my favorite businesses that I've ever dealt with. We've stayed at Casa Nita the last three trips down there, mainly because of the view and it's very reasonably priced.
I've never rented the car on STT, mainly because I want to be in total stress free mode while on vacation. What you guys went through is grounds for going postal!
I've never rented the car on STT, mainly because I want to be in total stress free mode while on vacation. What you guys went through is grounds for going postal!
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
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Capn Dan and Ruby
- Posts: 1006
- Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:08 pm
- Location: PC Florida
