It is important for you all to know that I am not griping, nor am I trying to use this forum in a negative way. I am hoping that most of you if not all might find this to be information rather than a complaint. I will try to keep it informative without showing my anger, so here goes.

I recently went home to conduct some business from October 25th - October 29th and as I usually do in Jamaica and here in The USA, rent my car from Hertz. I usually get the best available, for comfort, because I spend a lot of time driving. As one would imagine, that means I am paying the top price for cars that I rent.

The information part here is, please do not hit any potholes in Jamaica because if you do, the tyre more than likely will get what is called a "Baby Head". This is a small bump on the side of the tyre that according to Hertz, renders the tyre useless and has to be replaced.

The second part of this information is that the replacement cost of one tyre is U$150.00 which they charged to my credit card.

In checking with an auto Parts Store, I found that the same exact tyre sells for approx U$85.00

Like I said I want to keep this as positive as I can, so, I leave it up to all readers of this post to decide if they will rent from Hertz on future trips to Jamaica as I already know what my answer is.

Please be aware that if a tyre gets damaged in anyway while renting, you might be asked to pay for the tyre, even if it hits a pot hole or a small stone, as the rental agent informed me during my trip.

I will still be comming home, and I will still be renting cars, because nothing can keep me away from supporting my country and people that lives there.
Have a great Day all

Maurhar- did you read Hertz's fine print in the rental agreement? It was you wasn't it who hit the pothole? You wreck the tyre, you pay for it and, you pay the price Hertz say you have to pay. That's it my friend. You have to live with it, there's nothing you can do.

UP

Island Car Rentals/MoBay
http://www.islandcarrentals.com
is generally the preferable source for car
rentals, over Hertz.

To avoid spurious charges for bum-tyres and such,
it's really mandatory that one take out cdw/lw
(collision damage waiver and loss waiver) and other insurances that are not covered by any credit card for car rentals in Jamaica). Otherwise, you're at the mercy of the rental agency for any/all charges which are levied off the US$1,000 refundable damage deposit.

That is not necessarily the case. I had a rental car company in Mobay deduct $150 from my debit card for tire damage which I had not signed off on(I had full insurance coverage purchased with the rental). I disputed this charge through my debit card and was granted a full refund. Mauhar you may want to challenge this charge.Best of luck in whatever you choose to do. I understand your position.

We stopped renting from Hertz in MoBay ages ago even though we rent from them all the time in the U.S. We had a guaranteed price for a specific class of car. It was in writing. Upon arriving we were told that it would cost perhaps 40% more for that same car. We showed them the guarantee and were told we could refuse to accept the car but we would then be left with no car as it was holiday time. We took the car but marked "we protest price" on the contract. When we got back to the U.S. and complained to Hertz here we were told that the Jamaican company was not under their control, even though the name was the same.

I really did not want to start a rabble, but Peter- No i did not read the fine print and you are absolutely right, I did hit several potholes and yes you are right, I do not however accept the statement that I cannot do anything about it, because I already did. My purpose for sending out my original post was to make those that are not aware of the potential costs become more aware. I paid the $150.00 and I also tipped the guy that found the baby head and additional J$1000.00 so you see, I did accept and did pay my price. All I am saying is that I will not be paying Hertz again because I will not be using them. There are alternatives and I will find them. Have a great day!

Additionally, full coverage does not cover you fully anymore. There are only certain credit cards used that will get you off teh full coverage. I did purchase full coverage insurance, but with Hertz (Jamaica) there is still a U$1500.00 deductible.

On a more positive note, I did contact the Hertz Corporation and they did apologize for the problem. They also offered me a $50.00 gift certificate and noted my complaints. I suggest to all that encounter this type of activity to not give up but to pursue a resolution. A possible resolution to these obscene charges would be to get enough persons to make reports like these to the corporations, and the corporations will themselves take action. For example, if enough persons were to complain to Hertz and threaten to stop renting not only in Jamaica but also Internationally, then Hertz, might then ammend their franchise agreements to prevent franchises like the ones in Jamaica to cease charging outrageous prices for replacing parts. Just a Thought!

Maurhar, I'm so sorry to hear that there are is no redress for you. Maybe we all should really investigate renting locally in Treasure Beach(i.e., M&D Grocery's Maureen and any other rental car vendors)thereby getting what we want and at the same time bnefitting the community of TB.

The Hertz experience explained by "More Car Rental Advice" was so close to ours that it almost sounds as if we could have written it. We, too, will no longer be renting from Hertz in Jamaica. Hertz's (U.S.) explanation to us was that Hertz Jamaica is a franchisee, and they could not be responsible for what the Jamaican Hertz did.

Since then, we have only rented from a Jamaican car rental company (Champagne being our favorite as they have always honored their promises -- and have even stayed open when they realized our flight was late) or arranged private transportation to and from Treasure Beach.

When renting a vehicle in Jamaica, it is foolhardy not to take the extra CDW (about $15 U.S. per day) because U.S. credit cards will not cover you as they do in most other countries. Car repairs cost a lot more in Jamaica than they do in the U.S.; plus, if you bring a vehicle back damaged, you will also pay the daily rental rate while the car is being repaired. You are, however, on your own for tire damage.

Our overall conclusion is that it is less expensive (and less stressful) to arrange transport to and from the airport, as well as for occasional day trips.

Unfortunately,local services aren't up to snuff with Champagne or Sunbird or Island or Dharma.TB's local jitney/car rental service thru Maureen via Marzoucca out of
Negril nor the cars available thru Waterloo Guest House in Black River, offer the comprehensive insurances necessary.

Maybe we all should really investigate renting locally in Treasure Beach(i.e., M&D Grocery's Maureen and any other rental car vendors)thereby getting what we want and at the same time bnefitting the community of TB.

Regarding this response that was posted:
Is anyone able to provide me with contact name or numbers for the persons mentioned above?

I would like to see if they have any cars available from December 23rd. 2007 - January 4th 2008.

We will be in Treasure Beach starting December 22nd and could pick up the car there. The car would be in Runaway Bay on January 4th though and would have to be picked up there by the rental company. Another solution could be just to rent it in Treasure Beach from December 23rd - 28th if they cannot pick it up in Runaway Bay.

Please let me know if there is anyone locally in Treasure Beach or Surrounding areas that might be able to rent me a car. If so, then I would definately want to support the local economy.