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First time car rental (sortof) - 2/12/2013 5:25:12 PM
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debauche
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/12/2013
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I have stayed between Playa and Akumal about 8-9 times since 1999. I rented a car probably the second time and drove down to Akumal for a week AI resort, but no other time. Last year just rented for a day and drove down to Tulum. I have hated the feeling after a week that you want to stay longer, but always felt a second week in an AI would be too much of the same thing (food mainly). So this time I have rented a house on beach in Mahahual for 3 weeks with wife and 4yr old. Since it is remote, a car is pretty well a necessity.
I have read all the horror stories online about renting from this place or that, and take them with a grain of salt since it's not often someone posts a good review vs the need to vent a negative one online. But this is starting to really stress me out and I am not looking forward to it. I have even booked a hotel right by airport first night so I have lots of time in AM to deal with it. However, the owner of the house told me to avoid cancuncarrental, easyway, and places like that and to stick to the big names in case of an issue that needed to be dealt with outside the country later. At that point, I became confused over all of the insurances. Called VISA (I have a platinum Avion) and they faxed me a sheet stating I have full coverage, outside of 3rd liability, and to buy that insurance. So I think by now I am clear on everything i need to do.
However, I am reading on here that everyone recommends easyway, cancunrentalcar and places like that, and say they are cheaper than the big names. However, for my 3 weeks, CCR has an Attitude for $918usd. Others are though (rental and the extra 3rd liability):
Hertz - Chevrolet Chevy - $633
Thrifty - Jetta - $625
Budget - Avea - $687
CCR is almost $300 more. I was wondering why more people don't use their credit card insurance, and then just buy the liability portion?
< Message edited by debauche -- 2/12/2013 5:33:14 PM >
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/12/2013 6:55:06 PM
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Whale
Posts: 5536
Joined: 10/25/2004
From: Littleton, Colorado
Status: offline
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I have rented from a big name rental agency at the airport twice and used the insurance offered by my American Express card, $19 for full coverage on the vehicle during the rental. One experience was good and the next experience from the same company was bad. (nothing to do with the credit card insurance, they jacked the price of the rental up on me on return of the car) However I don't use the credit card insurance anymore for several reasons.
1. The credit card insurance only pays for damage to the rented vehicle, nothing for the other car (or people) involved in any accident. You need to purchase all the liability the rental car agency will sell you for that.
2. If you have an accident, damage the vehicle in any way, even a cracked windshield or a small ding, or if the car is totaled or stolen, you will have to pay the rental car agency (probably using your credit card) for the damage or the entire car before you can leave Mexico. Hopefully you will have enough credit limit to pay, if not, you cannot leave.
3. Some of the name brand rental agencies in Cancun are not directly associated with their US counterparts, they are independent franchisees and if you have a problem the US national companies with the same name will not help you.
4. If you are involved in an accident involving injuries or damage to another person or property no matter who is at fault, you will be required to prove that you can pay for all damages or the police will take you to jail. I had rather have a Mexican company arguing for me in that situation than a credit card company somewhere else in the world. (Thus the need to purchase all the liability the rental car agency will sell you)
5. After approximately 18 rentals, I have found that the cost of the local companies with full coverage and zero deductible on the car including full liability coverage is probably less than $100 more than the big names at the airport. To purchase the same coverage from one of the big names will cost you almost twice as much as what the locals charge. I once got scammed by a big name company and ended up paying over $600 for a week when my average bill from the locals is usually between $250-300 per week.
All that said, insurance is only useful when you need it. Be careful and you probably will have no problem either way. In 19 trips I've never had an insurance claim even though I have always had the coverage if I needed it. What it all boils down to is that you probably have a better chance of getting a newer car from the big names (however my Aveo from Cancunrentacar last week only had 4,000 km on it) but it will cost you more on average, both in dollars and worry, for similar insurance. Just do whatever makes you feel more comfortable, don't sweat a few dollars difference and you will have a great trip.
< Message edited by Whale -- 2/12/2013 7:11:54 PM >
_____________________________
"Don't listen to what they say. Go see." ~ Chinese proverb
"When you see, you will know" ~ Jim Thurman proverb
"I cannot change other people's behavior, only m
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/12/2013 7:18:50 PM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline
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What Whale said!
We use cancun. I've rented for 3-4 weeks every time we go. I have a car reserved for April, 3 weeks Around $600. They've added the airport tax which used to be for on site rentals only at the airport. Cancun is off of airport property but they and everyone else is charging the airport tax. They pick you up at the airport and take you bakc when you return the car. We always get the ins from them. I had a problem with a car in Tulum ( the trunk lock broke) and they brought me another one with in three hours. No problems.
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Heading back, can't get enough
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/13/2013 11:01:39 AM
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debauche
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/12/2013
Status: offline
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Thanks everyone for the replies, appreciate it. The cost is a tough pill to swallow when I won't be driving much after actually getting there other than groceries and a couple excursions. The cash I would certainly rather be using towards diving.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Whale
I have rented from a big name rental agency at the airport twice and used the insurance offered by my American Express card, $19 for full coverage on the vehicle during the rental. One experience was good and the next experience from the same company was bad. (nothing to do with the credit card insurance, they jacked the price of the rental up on me on return of the car) However I don't use the credit card insurance anymore for several reasons.
1. The credit card insurance only pays for damage to the rented vehicle, nothing for the other car (or people) involved in any accident. You need to purchase all the liability the rental car agency will sell you for that.
But that's what I'm saying.. I have 3 bookings, Hertz, Budget and Thrifty. One gives me any hassle and I walk to the next one. All the prices above include buying the extra 3rd person liability.. For example, Thrifty for a Jetta is $373.63 with taxes, airport charge. On top of that their liability is $12/day = approx $252, so total would be $625. The letter VISA gave me states full coverage, but no liability and states to get that as did the agent verbally when I discussed this with them. They also gave me 3 numbers to call, one collect, one toll free for emergency, and one regular toll free based on where I said I would be. My thought is if I had an accident, the procedure would be either way to call the rental company first, then visa second (unless I was with a local car rental company to which I would just call them). Visa guy stated to me they would pay first, deal later with me if there were issues.
I'm curious, has anyone used the credit card insurance and ran into trouble that way?
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2. If you have an accident, damage the vehicle in any way, even a cracked windshield or a small ding, or if the car is totaled or stolen, you will have to pay the rental car agency (probably using your credit card) for the damage or the entire car before you can leave Mexico. Hopefully you will have enough credit limit to pay, if not, you cannot leave.
I have $35,000 limit
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3. Some of the name brand rental agencies in Cancun are not directly associated with their US counterparts, they are independent franchisees and if you have a problem the US national companies with the same name will not help you.
all three I got to through the US site. Hertz I talked to them directly on phone since they include liability, but it is pretty well useless at only 25 grand or whatever it is so you pretty well have to buy supplemental anyways to a mil.
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4. If you are involved in an accident involving injuries or damage to another person or property no matter who is at fault, you will be required to prove that you can pay for all damages or the police will take you to jail. I had rather have a Mexican company arguing for me in that situation than a credit card company somewhere else in the world. (Thus the need to purchase all the liability the rental car agency will sell you)
I agree with this point, however putting my trust in locals that for the most part in that industry want to rip you off doesn't inspire much confidence either that it would be smooth in any reguard.. I guess this is why the owner of the house was pretty adamant on going to a US-based company... I dunno... here it seems pretty much the opposite opinion so has me thinking.
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5. After approximately 18 rentals, I have found that the cost of the local companies with full coverage and zero deductible on the car including full liability coverage is probably less than $100 more than the big names at the airport. To purchase the same coverage from one of the big names will cost you almost twice as much as what the locals charge. I once got scammed by a big name company and ended up paying over $600 for a week when my average bill from the locals is usually between $250-300 per week.
Only if you go to the big name and take all of their insurance.. My consideration though was only taking the liability there.
quote:
All that said, insurance is only useful when you need it. Be careful and you probably will have no problem either way. In 19 trips I've never had an insurance claim even though I have always had the coverage if I needed it. What it all boils down to is that you probably have a better chance of getting a newer car from the big names (however my Aveo from Cancunrentacar last week only had 4,000 km on it) but it will cost you more on average, both in dollars and worry, for similar insurance. Just do whatever makes you feel more comfortable, don't sweat a few dollars difference and you will have a great trip.
Ya.. when I have rented I have not thought twice about it down there and what may or may not happen.. it's only this trip that I have read more on that area and gotten stressed out over it. I'm starting to lean towards your guys ideas.. It is also appealing if they picked me up in front of airport at 9:30pm when I get there and take me to the hotel we have booked for first night instead of me getting up, taking a cab or transfer back to airport in the morning and wasting time dealing with this.
I can't find much info on all the cars they list online. Many they say 3 large pieces of luggage will fit, but I cannot see that they are saying the trunk would do that.. Most luggage is fairly standard for small-medium-large size dimensions though so I don't know how they are thinking it would work. Would a VW Gol or Dodge Attitude fit 2 large suitcases in trunk? We have a 3 yr old that will be in a car seat in back seat and would prefer not to jam a large piece of luggage beside him for safety on a 4.5hr drive south. Since Transat only allows 20Kg per person, we may have 2 large and a medium suitcase to spread the weight as well..
< Message edited by debauche -- 2/13/2013 11:03:01 AM >
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/13/2013 12:11:29 PM
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debauche
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/12/2013
Status: offline
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I read a couple more threads and there are some people recommending Econocarrental. An attitude at cancuncarrental is 950$. It looks like at econo it would be $830. Confusing part on econo website (and this is why I take great pause with these companies) is the insurance of course. It defaults to a PLI for $9 per day for pretty low coverage ($80k usd) that you cannot un-check. The other offerings are for CDW, PAI (accident medical), and TP (theft). There is also an EPC which says is an extended zero deducatible CDW that includes zero deducitable TP. So, I have medical already. I would have PLI by default, and if I added the EPC would be in essence paying $14/day for PLI/CDW/TP at zero deductible. There is however, a choice for "all insurances" for $8. It's description says it includes PLI/TP/PAI/EPC insurances. Throwing in that it "includes" PLI makes it sound like if I chose that one, that the $9/day for the PLI that you cannot change would be included down to $8/day for the package and you would get more for less... Because If you take the PLI out, the EPC is basically a zero deductible CDW/TP combo for $5, the PAI a $2 touch. If you had to take the PLI anyways and it is always there even with the "all insurances", then you should be able to just get PAI and EPC and have basically what they are offering in the "all" for $7 instead of $8/day. It's these little things that make me wary. ANyone use this company?
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/13/2013 12:20:04 PM
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debauche
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/12/2013
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P.S.
Looked around econo's website a bit more on their policy page and found this:
Primary Liability Insurance (PLI) covers up to $85,000 USD. for liabilities caused by accident related expenses and legal assistance, when liability for other vehicles or people have been caused by the driver of the rented vehicle. Does not cover damages made to the rented vehicle nor medical expenses for its passengers.
Collision Damages Waiver (CDW) covers total damages with Zero Deductible for vehicle. Does not cover traffic violations.
Theft Protection (TP) covers total theft with Zero Deductible. Do not cover accessories
Funny thing is, is when you go to the pages with the cars on them and hover your mouse over the different types of insurance, it says that the PLI is $80,000 usd coverage, and that CDW does have a deducitble, and TP also has a deducitble based on the class of car you rent. You need to get EPC to have zero deductible, but the policy page says a completely different thing. You have to wonder if these companies cannot get the policies correct across 2 pages, how they will come through in an actual emergency.
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/13/2013 1:53:51 PM
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juan rojo
Posts: 691
Joined: 12/13/2010
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Wow , I salute you for all this research .
The liablility insurance ALI , PLI , whatever they call it is mandatory and so can not be unchecked or deselected if you prefer . You must accept this everywhere . It can be bundled but is mandatory . The value of this coverage does vary and Easyway does not disclose the total of their liability coverage on their website . Someone posted documents here that suggested that the liability was quite low but I don't know that for a fact .
I have have never dealt with Easyway but let me say that in all the many forums that I waste way too much time reading I have never read a substantial concern with Easyways credibility and many long time users at all the local forums know them as reliable and honest . This knowledge alone can releive concerns .
I just had a quick look at Hertz for a rental period I'm researching . I would not have bothered except for your post . I got to the page where they wanted my name with no mention whatsoever of insurance . If anything is included they made NO mention of it .
Hertz $491.00
Here's some other figures for the same period with details that I posted elsewhere yesterday .
There seems to have been a change of policy at all of the many Cancun Car rental brands concerning the zero deductable option coverage . It would appear to no longer be available , at least on their many websites .
We always took the zero deductable option and so weren't concerned that the deductable for the smallest car was a whopping $1500.00 .
Fifteen hundred . Yikes
Easyway's is $500.00
They have also increased their PAI medical costs to driver and passengers to five dollars a day from two . This medical coverage doesn't matter to me because we have travel medical coverage as I'm sure you all do as well .
EXCEPT
that at some of their brand's websites , notably America Car Rental , which is what is on the sign on the Boca Paila road , who AUTOMATICALLY add this to your rental . Again , this is on the website and perhaps not in person .
The Tulum brands website leaves this as an option .
I selected the CUN airport with those same two brands and the America included significant airport tax and the Tulum brand DID NOT .
The online price from the Tulum brand was $534.00 for 17 days . The America brand was $644.00 . Easyway was $695 with liability and collision only to be consistent and $733.00 with the bundled package or $818.00 with the bundle and zero deductable . Easyway's bundled package never has included zero deductable and for $500.00 was and still is a reasonable gamble .
For new customers be sure you are dealing with the correct companies
http://www.tulumcarrental.com.mx/ Tulum Car Rental
http://www.tulumcarrental.com/ Easyway
http://tulummexicocarrental.com/ Somebody else
http://www.econocarrental.com/select-car.php In Cancun just today with EPC $627.00 . Their location is listed as Plaza Santa Fe . Very curious . This is the home or former home of a seperate and different Economycarrental . The Econo from that different thread is a stand alone companyand not with these guys many brands .
_____________________________
Please be happy always
PARTLY CLOUDY = MOSTLY SUNNY
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/13/2013 3:01:41 PM
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gary1p
Posts: 389
Joined: 1/5/2011
From: Albany New York
Status: offline
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SO TRUE !!
Thats why i now get all the INS.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Whale
I have rented from a big name rental agency at the airport twice and used the insurance offered by my American Express card, $19 for full coverage on the vehicle during the rental. One experience was good and the next experience from the same company was bad. (nothing to do with the credit card insurance, they jacked the price of the rental up on me on return of the car) However I don't use the credit card insurance anymore for several reasons.
1. The credit card insurance only pays for damage to the rented vehicle, nothing for the other car (or people) involved in any accident. You need to purchase all the liability the rental car agency will sell you for that.
2. If you have an accident, damage the vehicle in any way, even a cracked windshield or a small ding, or if the car is totaled or stolen, you will have to pay the rental car agency (probably using your credit card) for the damage or the entire car before you can leave Mexico. Hopefully you will have enough credit limit to pay, if not, you cannot leave.
3. Some of the name brand rental agencies in Cancun are not directly associated with their US counterparts, they are independent franchisees and if you have a problem the US national companies with the same name will not help you.
4. If you are involved in an accident involving injuries or damage to another person or property no matter who is at fault, you will be required to prove that you can pay for all damages or the police will take you to jail. I had rather have a Mexican company arguing for me in that situation than a credit card company somewhere else in the world. (Thus the need to purchase all the liability the rental car agency will sell you)
5. After approximately 18 rentals, I have found that the cost of the local companies with full coverage and zero deductible on the car including full liability coverage is probably less than $100 more than the big names at the airport. To purchase the same coverage from one of the big names will cost you almost twice as much as what the locals charge. I once got scammed by a big name company and ended up paying over $600 for a week when my average bill from the locals is usually between $250-300 per week.
All that said, insurance is only useful when you need it. Be careful and you probably will have no problem either way. In 19 trips I've never had an insurance claim even though I have always had the coverage if I needed it. What it all boils down to is that you probably have a better chance of getting a newer car from the big names (however my Aveo from Cancunrentacar last week only had 4,000 km on it) but it will cost you more on average, both in dollars and worry, for similar insurance. Just do whatever makes you feel more comfortable, don't sweat a few dollars difference and you will have a great trip.
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/13/2013 4:21:15 PM
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debauche
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/12/2013
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: gary1p
Cancunrentacar or easyway the only way to go!! i pay around $500 for 3 weeks with all ins. 0 delectable..or $175 a week .
I can't get so small a car which you must be looking at.. have to have something that can take 2 adults plus a 3 year old down south 4.5 hours.. with 2 large suitcases and maybe a medium size as well. Would like to get groceries on way down but probably no room. THe pictures of even the Attitude looks very small. I cannot find any info online on the model as far as trunk dimensions. If I could go small car I wouldn't be worrying.. if it was wife and myself.. I would prefer something like an Avenger but no way I am gonna pay what they want.
P.S. If I go to the website, the cheapest/smallest car they have is $228/week... Doesn't matter if I pick up in hotel zone or at airport.. where are you seeing a price like that?
< Message edited by debauche -- 2/13/2013 5:24:57 PM >
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/13/2013 5:19:33 PM
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debauche
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/12/2013
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: juan rojo
I just had a quick look at Hertz for a rental period I'm researching . I would not have bothered except for your post . I got to the page where they wanted my name with no mention whatsoever of insurance . If anything is included they made NO mention of it .
Hertz $491.00
It doesn't add it on in the reservation system. When you get to the "chose extras" page, click on the link for "rental qualifications and Requirements". A popup window will come up. If you look under insurance, you will see
"Hertz provides primary limited liability insurance protection at no additional charge. Protection applies to the customer and additional authorized drivers against liability to third parties in case of an accident."
Now below that it states if you decline this or that they will hold 15% of the valule of the car..etc.. Everything I am talking about above with these companies assumes you WILL decline all of their coverage if you have a credit card that covers it, but you WILL get 3rd party liability. Hertz automatically gives you that, so technically you could decline all of their insurance at the desk and just get the car for the rate on the site (but would it be a different matter standing at their desk?). Hertz default insurance 3rd party, is $35,000 usd. YOu can click on that same popup to the last choice which explains liabilty insurance thru them. If you want more coverage 3rd party, it is $13usd per day for $450,000usd coverage. So my rates above assume the base rate for a car, then $13 usd/day added onto that.
The other companies are similar.. $12-$13 per day for 3rd party liability. All have it somewhere on their US sites if you go there as a gateway to a Mexico reservation.
I only use Hertz as an example.. not as an endorsement in any way. The other insurance if you did chose to add it is brutal.. and no zero deducatable.
quote:
There seems to have been a change of policy at all of the many Cancun Car rental brands concerning the zero deductable option coverage . It would appear to no longer be available , at least on their many websites .
We always took the zero deductable option and so weren't concerned that the deductable for the smallest car was a whopping $1500.00 .
Fifteen hundred . Yikes
Easyway's is $500.00
Not sure how everyone gets so low a quote from easyway. If I pick the same dodge attitude as with Hertz above (Hertz - $396.08 tax in for base, plus the $13/day for 21 days = $669 total),
Easyway is at $955.71 for the car plus their default 3rd LIability (to which value it is worth I cannot find)... Almost $300 more for the same car, same coverage (probably less liabilty actually).. And that is without adding on any other insurance. If I put it all on the cost balloons to $1118.88 for the same period.
Good catch on the no zero deducatble on CCR website.. would have missed that completely. I also cannot find any info on how much the 3rd party covers.. could be $50 grand for all I know. The deductable on a mid size is $1900... so pretty much unless you get in a total wreck, their insurance is useless, which probably means you will be paying for anything out of pocket, which I guess you could do with any rental company...
quote:
For new customers be sure you are dealing with the correct companies
http://www.tulumcarrental.com.mx/ Tulum Car Rental
http://www.tulumcarrental.com/ Easyway
http://tulummexicocarrental.com/ Somebody else
I get the same $955 base at both sites.
< Message edited by debauche -- 2/13/2013 5:35:47 PM >
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RE: First time car rental (sortof) - 2/14/2013 10:32:14 AM
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debauche
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/12/2013
Status: offline
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Just to update, Easyway got back to me via email and the 3rd party liability coverage is for $90,000usd.
< Message edited by debauche -- 2/14/2013 10:36:57 AM >
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First time car rental (sortof) - UPDATE - 3/11/2013 1:52:34 PM
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debauche
Posts: 9
Joined: 2/12/2013
Status: offline
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Well, returned from a great 3 weeks in Mahahual. I stressed FAR too much over the car. It's not like you drive down the highway and there are accidents going off every 5 minutes down there. After returning, I wouldn't hesitate to just go with one of the well known brands and use credit card insurance (while paying for 3rd party liability as you have to) if it was cheaper, which it was when I did extensive checking.
But, I found a page on Easyway's website that said if you liked them on Facebook, Twitter and Google that you would get 15% off, a free upgrade, and a free tank of gas. This put the rental within 100$ of any of the big names, while I ended up having full Mexican insurance zero deducatble, free upgrade and tank of gas. I could lower the car I was going to get, end up with the one I wanted for a cheaper rate and the 15% off. So I emailed Easyway with ALL of my specifics including flight number..etc.. and asked to confirm that I would get all of those items. They had been very responsive to me previously when emailing, but all of a sudden when I asked for a confirmation of those.. they clammed up. I got a little worried, but they finally responded after about the third email that they would include all of those things. So I was set... or so I thought.
The flight out of Calgary was delayed an hour (It always seems to be for me every year). I remembered people said even though their flight was delayed, Easyway was still there waiting, so I crossed my fingers. I had also emailed them all my info so they could see the delay if they wished to check. We landed around 10:30pm. Well upon arrival we loaded up out luggage cart to be able to wheel your luggage 100' before you are jumped on and told the luggage could go no further (forgot about this ridiculousness), and navigated the hoards of people trying to grab your luggage and headed for the doors expecting to see the Easyway guy with a sign with my name on it.. Only no-one was there.. we searched all over the parking strip. A guy came up to us that was not dressed in the usual fake uniforms (he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, had a backpack on and a walkie-talkie) and asked us if we needed help. I decided against saying no like I usually do to everyone there and told him we were looking for Easyway. He said there was a guy there a while ago, but didn't think he was there now. He brought us over to a different area of the parking area while all the other passengers off the flight got on their rides and left. I was feeleing quite nervous standing in a dark area of the terminal with hardly anyone around anymore by this time with wife, a 3 year old who was very tired, and a pile of luggage with 3600 pesos in my pocket. BUT, this guy was a godsend and VERY helpfull.. he stuck by us and called all the other terminals asking if anyone saw the guy for a good half hour. At the end he took us to the payphone and then just went on his way... not standing around looking for a tip.. was a really nice change from the usual Cancun gauntlet.
I called up Easyway (thank goodness I had printed off the email with their statement of what was included that had their phone number on it) and just got recorded messages. On about the third choice as I was fuming, someone actually answered. The call went something like this.
- them - Hello Easyway.
- me - Yes, this is xxxxxxxxx and I am standing at the airport right now. I have booked a car and there is no-one here to pick us up.
- them - who?
- me - xxxxxxxxxx!
- them - when did the flight get in?
- me - about a half hour ago. We are standing here waiting and have a car reserved.
- them- (english starting to get worse) We have no cars for rent
- me - Look, I booked online, I have a printed confirmation, and there should be someone here to set us up with our car
- them - Who is this? What was the airline?
- me - XXXXXXXX! Air Transat!
- them - Well we have no more cars.
- me - Well I am standing here with my family, and I have booked and reserved a car with you guys.
- Them - we will be over in 5 minutes
This actually was at least 3 times as long of me trying to get things straight with this guy going in circles, but I have forgotten all of it.. I didn't expect someone to be showing up and we went back outside of the terminal to try and assess the situation and what we were going to do. I had booked a night at the Marriot just a couple km's away so had a place to stay, but this was turning from simple into a big hassle. We decided to wait for a few minutes but the place was really clearing out, was only half lit and we were feeling more than a little uneasy being the only people standing there. About 15 minutes later we were going to pack it in when we see this little russian-looking car driving up.. I joked with my wife saying that our rental was here being dropped off... actually I didn't know how close I was. The car stopped, and 2 guys from Easyway get out. The one guy who speaks english comes over and and asks me my name again..etc.. He opens up his name signs in his pocket to see if I am one of them and none of them match my name... great.. so much for the airport service. It is then he tells me they have no cars for rent. He also says that they "may" have a car tomorrow for us, but he is not sure. At this point I go off a bit on the guy and pull out what I have printed off and ask him if they are going to refund us for the days we miss on our vacation.. thank god we are going for 3 weeks.. I could imagine only having a week vacation and having it cut short by 2 days because of this outfit.
So he tells us to get into the car and we will go back to their office. We load up the luggage and get in. As we are driving back to the Easyway lot, the guy makes a few phonecalls. About halfway there he turns around and tells us the car we are in is our rental.. It is a Tsiru standard. I chuckle to myself.. but I guess it "is" what I ordered, however I expected and upgrade. I just resign myself and sit there until we get to their office. As we pull up, I remember the descriptions other have given of a junk yard.. and my wife grabs my leg as we drive up a washed out ramp into what looks like a Velociraptor pen from Jurassic Park. If it wasn't for the lit "Easyway" sign on the building at the far end I would have thought this was the place our luggage and money parts ways from us. When we get out of the car in the well-lit area they have for inspecting vehicles, I see the car isn't actually that bad. It is almost brand new, just extremely basic. HE starts to write up a contract and I mention the 15% off and he acts confused, and again I pull out the email and show it to him.. he gets on cellphone, says he will do the 15%. But there is still the other items.. I ask on the upgrade and what they are going to do for that. Again the guy got on the phone and talked back and forth with someone. There was ONE other car in the lot. A Nissan Altus or something like that. EVentually they said we could take that. This was the next up from the Tsiru as well. Then I asked on the tank of gas. These guys are right behind a Pemex station, but it only had a quarter tank. So he offered me 50$ off for the tank of gas which I took just to get going. This all took about a half hour trying to sort things out. They were not going to part with any of the 3 items without me pressing them on them. The car had a lot of mileage on it, and the temp plate on the back window did not belong to Easywaay, but some person. I would assume it belonged to someone there and they gave it out? If so it is commendable, but does not make up for the fiasco.
We used the car, it worked well and we had no issues. It did have a lot of scrapes/dents and things like that.. and the rear bumper panel always seemed to start to come off and had to take a good knee to snap it back in place.. same with the front bumper moulding. All else in it worked well and it served us well. However on our way back on March 10th I was loading the trunk with luggage and noticed the dates on the rear licence plate (paper temp one). It had a large dat of Feb 25 2013. There was a smaller date of Dec 25 2012 above that so I assumed that was the registration, and the expirey date of the plate. When I got back I pointed that out to the guy at Easyway and he said it had expired. So we were driving around for a couple weeks with an expired plate.
Returning it seemed to go well.. they didn't really check much just did a walk around. THey gave me back the deposit credit card slip. However, when I first paid, they looked to run it through on a machine, then take an imprint of the card twice. The second imprint was the blank for deposit, the first had the rental value on it. I tried to ask and figure out why they had that imprint while also running the card electronically and the guy couldn't explain it in a way I understood. I let that go on signup, and didn't get the first imprint back. At home I have a visa statement that is a day after the rental date, and no charge so I assume the electronic one didn't go through, therefore he took an imprint. We cleaned out as much sand as we could, wiped down the dust so hopefully no other charges. When we returned the car, the lot was FULL of cars.
If the pickup at the start had gone smoothly, I would recommend Easyway while still saying the next time I would probably just go on credit card insurance with a US company as it is cheaper. If people want peace of mind then to go that way. BUT, after the near disasterous fiasco ath the airport at the start, would hessitate to use them again. You could always just go to a different company if they didn't have a car, but it's the point you book and they don't have anything when you get there, don't email you to tell you that, or have anyone there waiting to tell you that and maybe assist in solving the issue.. You just arrive and are left standing there wondering what is going on.
Anyways, just my experience with them. I will post more if I have any other charges..etc.
< Message edited by debauche -- 3/11/2013 1:54:14 PM >
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