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#121884 02/25/2017 12:42 PM
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Scotty Offline OP
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This gets asked all the time. It has been 3 years since our last trip to St. Maarten. We have no personal favorite but would like to know what car rental is a good one to use. Fair, honest and reasonable. Not too much to ask. And it has been so long since I have used the forum I forgot how to run the ticker. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

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Scotty #121885 02/25/2017 12:49 PM
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I have been using Hertz SXM for the last 18 years without a glitch. Others all have their favorites and will post accordingly.

SXMScubaman #121886 02/25/2017 12:51 PM
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I think I used Hertz last time I was there. I'll have to check back and see.
I finally remembered how to do the ticker.

Last edited by Scotty; 02/25/2017 12:52 PM.
Scotty #121887 02/25/2017 01:02 PM
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I would like to suggest Leisure Car rental- close to the airport and very good rates with great service.,

Scotty #121888 02/25/2017 01:53 PM
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If all else fails, go to the top of the page and click on the sponsors listing. They're all pretty reliable though there can always be glitches. Send emails with the details of your dates and the type/size of car you're wishing to rent and ask for an inclusive quote for the rental and tax and see who and how quickly they get back to you. That's always good for starters. We have a preferred company as do most who return regularly but on a few occasions when he wasn't available we've had success using that approach. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
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pat #121889 02/26/2017 02:33 PM
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Scotty Offline OP
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All seem to be very much the same. I'm sure all are about the same to deal with.??

Scotty #121890 02/26/2017 03:38 PM
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If you mean the sponsors? Yes

Scotty #121891 02/26/2017 06:26 PM
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When it comes to a car rental, I base my decision on price, convenience, condition of vehicle and response to initial customer inquiry and all questions/issues that may arise during rental. I have rented from more than one agency in the past but for the last 5 years have found the one that consistently excels in all categories and it is Leslie at Kenny's Car Rental. Very honorable man and service.

moontide #121892 02/26/2017 06:41 PM
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I second Moontide. Kenny's car rental. Leslie is honest, upfront. Great service. Used several before but last two times...Kenny's was my choice and will continue to be.


Never walk onto a job site with empty hands. - Source Unknown
wabid #121893 02/26/2017 07:13 PM
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Been using Michael & Joseph at Unity since 1998....never disappointed.

wabid #121894 02/26/2017 08:05 PM
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Moti is the Best! Have used him for three years and is cheap and awesome!

Scotty #121895 02/27/2017 07:38 AM
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We've used Automax for years, always gives us a exact quote with no hidden charges, nice cars and drops off and picks up where ever we want, very fair and honest.

Jasperben #121896 02/27/2017 03:05 PM
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I noticed Empress car rental is not a sponsor any longer. I'm not surprised at all. I though I'd like to give them another try after Marvin left. What a mistake, I had a blowout our last day and the spare was flat after that they tried to make me buy a tire. What a joke. Empress is finished for Marvin and us.

sunmantwo #121897 02/28/2017 08:20 AM
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sunmantwo said:
I noticed Empress car rental is not a sponsor any longer. I'm not surprised at all.


I was not aware of the changes. First was eliminating the complimentary liability insurance for longer rental periods. Last time I tried to book with them, I was on the late AA flight from Miami getting in at 11 pm. There site said they closed at 10, so I emailed them to see if they'd wait the extra hour. They said they opened at 7 am the next morning. I then asked if they offered a drop-off service to Oyster Pond and they didn't bother to reply. Finally went with Michael from Unity.


--ChiTownHarry
Scotty #121898 03/09/2017 06:32 PM
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I rented a car for the first time last year, and researched it to death. I read a lot of rental horror stories which scared me. I settled on Automax simply because i could not find a bad word about them. Louis and his wife met us at the airport with no hassles at pick up or drop off. We are using them again this year. Nice people!



SXMbeacher #121899 03/11/2017 08:02 PM
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We rented through 3rd party Argushire with AVIS as provider. Good price and the only issue was a $25 dollar fee added because we picked the car up 2 hours earlier than the contract (flight change). AVIS originally said it was an airport fee. We would still use it again.

SXMbeacher #121900 03/13/2017 12:09 AM
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Scotty Offline OP
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Where can I find a link to Automax? Thanks.

Scotty #121901 03/13/2017 07:01 AM
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SXMbeacher #121902 03/14/2017 07:28 PM
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Nothing easier and/or more reliable than Kenny's.

blackmercedes #121903 03/15/2017 10:10 AM
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I also heard Kenny's was good, and was probably my second choice. Pretty much a coin flip!



blackmercedes #121904 03/15/2017 10:22 AM
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blackmercedes said:
Nothing easier and/or more reliable than Kenny's.


I couldn't agree more but one word of caution - because he and his services are so much in demand, he often books up early for the more popular travel dates.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
SXMbeacher #121905 03/15/2017 10:36 AM
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SXMbeacher said:
I also heard Kenny's was good, and was probably my second choice. Pretty much a coin flip!
Kenny's is one of the best!


J.D.
SXMbeacher #121906 03/15/2017 10:41 AM
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Scotty Offline OP
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I know I shouldn't base it on price alone but has anyone used value car rental? Tricia sent me an estimate much cheaper than anyone else. We're talking several hundred dollars cheaper.

Scotty #121907 03/15/2017 10:47 AM
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While I can't speak for Value Car rental, a friend who is on the island now had booked a REALLY cheap rate with someone. I am not sure who they bookled with but upon arrival the rate was "not available" and they had to scramble for another rental. They even had their email conformation but the company would not honor the quote. They were still able to get a decent price with another company but that is the last thing you want to deal with after arrival.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true!


J.D.
Scotty #121908 03/15/2017 10:50 AM
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We have used AAA for the last 25 years and have many of our friends he is always there for you , any trouble just a call absolutely great service . Would recommend his company in a heart beat !

Scotty #121909 03/15/2017 10:50 AM
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How long are you renting for? Car rentals in general on SXM are not that high by comparison to so many other destinations, and to be several hundred dollars cheaper on an apple to apple comparison, personally speaking, I'd recheck with her on her figures. A hundred dollar variance maybe, but several?


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pat



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pat #121910 03/15/2017 10:55 AM
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Scotty Offline OP
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We'll be there almost 3 weeks.

Scotty #121911 03/15/2017 11:03 AM
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I just got my confirmation today from Hertz for a Corolla for four weeks for $700.53 which included Liability and all taxes and fees. Same as last year.

Scotty #121912 03/15/2017 11:10 AM
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What i found in my research, was some of the cheaper companies use older cars, and have had breakdowns, tire issues with no spare tire and jacks, etc. Also there seemed to be a game of claims you damaged the car and they want compensation. I found no issues with companies like Automax, Kenny's, AAA and some others that where mentioned here. I love a great deal as much as the next guy, but piece of mind swayed me on this deal! Word of mouth is the best advertisement!



SXMScubaman #121913 03/15/2017 11:12 AM
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That sounds like a great deal!



SXMScubaman #121914 03/15/2017 11:12 AM
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I have used both Kenny's and Empress (when they were a sponsor) no bad experiences with either. But I prefer Kenny's.

SXMbeacher #121915 03/15/2017 11:19 AM
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Scotty Offline OP
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I understand cheapest is not always the best. They are a sponsor on TTL. I just was wondering if anyone on here had ever used them (Prestige Value Car Rental)? It doesn't mean I'll use them, it just means I'm checking on them first before anything is being finalized is all.

wiseone #121916 03/15/2017 11:27 AM
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We have used Francine's ( used to be Budget) since 1999. Good prices & the cars are worn in just enough to suit us-we don't want to worry about minor dings, etc.
We have had 2 major things happen to the cars over the years, and Francine's has always been fair & honest.
In 1999, during a hurricane, a retaining wall where we were staying, collapsed & totaled our car. Our credit card insurance covered the cost of replacing the car & we left the island without having to pay any money.
A few years ago, we had our windshield shot by a BB gun while we were driving to dinner one night. We made a full report to the gendarmes. We returned our car to Francine's and she had us pay for a replacement windshield, with the promise of refunding our $$$ when our insurance paid the bill. True to her word, every penny we paid her was promptly returned to us.
It's a nice family business, run by some nice island people!


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If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Scotty #121917 03/15/2017 12:18 PM
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Quote
Scotty said:
I understand cheapest is not always the best. They are a sponsor on TTL. I just was wondering if anyone on here had ever used them (Prestige Value Car Rental)? It doesn't mean I'll use them, it just means I'm checking on them first before anything is being finalized is all.


Just because they are a sponsor doesn't necessarily give them an endorsement. I don't believe there is a criteria they have to meet. They just pay to be a sponsor.

Scotty #121918 03/15/2017 01:03 PM
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I understand. I used some sites like Trip Adviser for help. Sometimes, you have to wade through the BS and take it for what its worth. A site like this is probably more reliable with lots of island regulars to lean on. Good Luck and let us know how your experience was. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />



SXMbeacher #121919 03/15/2017 02:38 PM
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So, I take it that no one has used them that frequents this forum. I'll keep checking as I still have time before my arrival.

Scotty #121920 03/16/2017 07:05 AM
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Although I would be hesitant to recommend a car rental, I can tell the one I will not use again. It is Progressive due to high price and poor customer service.

deirdre1 #121921 03/16/2017 07:38 AM
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Just got back from a 3 week holiday. Another seamless rental from Lesley Bruce. Out of the airport in 5 minutes. Thanks again Lesley.

cabokid #121922 03/16/2017 12:58 PM
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I got some info back from Michael at Unity. One of the best prices next to Value Car Rental. Has anyone dealt with Michael? Thanks.

Scotty #121923 03/16/2017 01:02 PM
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Michael is excellent. Great to do business with. I usually request a 'beater' and never had a problem and it always has cold A/C.


--ChiTownHarry
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