Car Hire -BEWARE

From UK, 3 posts

We rented a car through an online broker which are part of the paradise-promotions group (inc) www.paradise-promotions.com





Some of their car hire websites include



http://www.auto-rental.net/



http://www.uk-carhire.net/



http://www.usa-carrental.com/



http://www.caribbeancar.com/



http://www.spaincarrental.net/





Indeed why they need so many different websites to offer what essentially is the same service god only knows.



But thats not the main issue.



We booked a hire vehicle through www.rentalcargroup.com (another paradise promotion inc car hire website)



We paid 20% deposit of $216 to hire a jeep for our forthcoming holiday in St Lucia the booking was confirmed and in the contract sent via email it says "you only pay a 20% to ENSURE YOU VECHILE IS RESERVED"



We hired a jeep for two reasons a) my partner was on crutches and could not stay in a car for any length of time otherwise she struggled getting out and b) because the villa we had was on a road unsuitable for Cars.



The email confirmed the reservation which had been arranged with AVIS in ST Lucia



When we arrived at Herrowana airport in St Lucia we discovered that the Jeep we had reserved wasnt available.



Instead we were given a car . we had no choice because we had already paid $216 deposit and presumed our vechile would be ready.



IT WASNT



So we had to drag our cases 1/2 mile up a potholed road because the vechile wasnt fit for the purpose.



AVIS told us a Jeep would be ready the next day and we should await their call. Instead I decided to go to the office and arrange to pick the jeep up because I didnt trust whoever might drive the vechile back to the office before an inspection



So two days later we get a jeep. Now on inspection of the Exhange document I realise that I have been charged the Jeep Price for the Car. So I queried it and was offered a refund in the form of a 10% Discount which I accepted. Nothing for the Inconvenience caused By The Way.



So Anyway we continued our holiday after bing stuck in for two days unable to go anywhere.



On our return to Egnland I immediately telephone rentalcargroup and im met with a blank response.



After investigation rentalcargroup decide I have received a "Discount" which was my money stolen by AVIS from me anyway through overcharging and that they are happy and that is the end of the matter.





Avis whom are contacted in the UK are currently dealing with this and I await their response but a Warning for people booking through PARADISE PROMOTIONs or any of its susiduries listed above



IF you dont get what u have paid for basically it seems you have to go and whistle for any refund. And the customer comes last even though the proof is in black and white



My advice look up local car hire companies and book direct not only will you save yourself 20% you may even save yourself a headache as well