Car Rentals

From: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Subject: Re: Do you have any information?
Date: Sunday, March 14, 1999 1:42 AM

I have been to Costa Rica 3 times. The very last time, I rented a vehicle, which overheated and we had to nurse to Liberia. Unfortunately we had to leave it there (but had notified the rental company and awaited their call for advise). Ex----- Car Rental Co. (now Tall--- FICA) posted the money we owed for the rental on the credit card (plus one day we didn't use) and very quickly posted the deposit of c330,000 colones ($1229.32) to the account as well, even though the car had been returned and accepted. To make a long story short, if our friends in CR had not been as tenacious as they were and if they had not been assisted by their attorney, we would have been another theft story. I can only imagine how many people have been taken advantage by Mr.Exo---Scum-bag. So there you go . . . Thank you again for a reference on a car rental company. My tendency would be to use an american name. What do you think?

Our Reply:

> to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
> Subject: Re: Do you have any information on car rental companies reputations
>Date: Sunday, March 14, 1999 11:19 AM

We handled over 2700 reservations last year. We only use the 3 rental car companies out of the 100 or so as I explained to you in last message. We give them so much business that they pay attention immediately to any complaints from us. The complaints have been few and far between but the ones I remember best in last 3 years were as follows.

1.Ants in car---I got an adjustment

2.The tercel had only 4 seat belts not five--could not overcome this one

3.One tourist thought he should only pay for a week although he kept the car 7 days and 8 hours-------given policies in other countries this was ridiculous

4.Several complain about the required insurance but gold cards and amex only reduce or eliminate the deductible here. They do not cover liability although they will pay you back in the states I understand. Unlike most countries the government of costa rica owns the only insurance company here and sets the rules

5.We have yet to have an obvious ripoff similar to yours from any of our rentals although the local english language newspaper lists that as number one complaint of tourists who complain of rip offs

6. WE ONLY RESERVE NEW CARS SO WE HAVE NO BREAKDOWN PROBLEMS----IT IS NOT WORTH RUINING VACATION TO SAVE $5 OR $10 AND END UP WITH A 1996
MODEL. RENTAL CARS HERE ARE SUBJECT TO MUCH MORE WEAR AND TEAR SO WE ADVISE ONLY NEW MODEL YEAR RENTAL CARS.

The last question about renting from some company that has an american brand name is a little tricky. Many car rental companies here will use a brand name you are familar with and which may or may not have any connection to the same name american brand name car rental company. Almost without any exception however the rental company here is not a division or branch of any american brand name. One of the companies we use which is absolutely first rate pays for the use of an american brand name but i assure you the ownership is completely separate.

Dr. James Miller
Dept of Physics
Boston University
telephone 617-353-2659
August 17, 2004


Thanks for another great trip. The landcruiser hardtop absolutely had the gear ratio to get up any hill including the terrible dirt road at the farm. I promise to not wait till last minute next time to let you know to have vehicle ready.
Anyone that asks this is my 8th trip with you guys.

Thanks
Jim

From: hugh pettit < This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 1999 10:15 AM
Subject: Re: Car Rental Request

Service was good - no problems. We really didn't need the 4X4 capability, however highly recommend a 4X4 to future customers as the axle clearance allows easier access over the dirt and rock roads. My brother-in-law was with us during part of are visit and had to "crawl" at a very slow speed in a Nissan stationwagon over CR's dirt & rock roads to avoid undercarriage damage
Hugh Pettit
San Francisco

Date: Thursday, March 02, 2000