Warning - Golf cart rental - Belize

http://www.channel5belize.com/archiv...story_id=19357

This is just the latest incidence with this company. Others have reported
similar problems though not to this extent. Some have just felt they had no
choice but to pay for what appears to be extortion and then return home as
planned with a bad taste in their mouths.

I applaud the Warrens for "sticking to their guns" and congratulate the San
Pedro Business Association for coming to their assistance.

"chilly" wrote:
http://www.channel5belize.com/archiv...story_id=19357

This is just the latest incidence with this company. Others have reported
similar problems though not to this extent. Some have just felt they had no
choice but to pay for what appears to be extortion and then return home as
planned with a bad taste in their mouths.

I applaud the Warrens for "sticking to their guns" and congratulate the San
Pedro Business Association for coming to their assistance.

$12,000 worth of damage to a Golf Cart that only costs $4,000 to buy?

IMO, the couple should simply bring a brand new Golf Cart with them
when they go back for their court date, and with that expense thus
documented, file a counter-suit for fraud.


-hh

On Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:30:14 GMT, chilly wrote:

I applaud the Warrens for "sticking to their guns"

Warren and Brian got married?
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I agree with you in that respect, but this also emphasizes the point that in
other countries, we have to abide by their rules - right or wrong to our way
of thinking. That is also why, at least on cruises, if one even opts for
information on available shore excursions, they are usually warned to stay
way from things like this, and for this very type of reason. Of course, the
Warrens were apparently not on an cruise, yet admittedly did not read the
contract and/or fine print either - or possibly thinks it doesn't count to
Americans. Now they are up Belize creek, sort-of-speak, without a paddle.

Vacations can indeed be a risky business at times, with all types of things
that can and do go wrong. Why not invoke as much layer of protect as one can
to begin with? Insurance would be one layer. If on a cruise, sponsored shore
excursions would be another (to a degree).

The bottom line is, don't let an uninformed decision be an expensive
mistake.

Happy sailing,
John Sisker, SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY®
(714) 536-3850 or toll free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency No. 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com

On Oct 3, 11:32 am, "John Sisker" wrote:
I agree with you in that respect,

Who are you agreeing with? And, in what respect?



Happy sailing,
John Sisker, SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY®
(714) 536-3850 or toll free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency No. 714.536.3850)www.shiptoshorecruise.com

"John Sisker" wrote:
I agree with you in that respect, but this also emphasizes the point that in
other countries, we have to abide by their rules - right or wrong to our way
of thinking.

You missed the point, John:


To put what happened with this golf cart into "normal rental car"
terms, it would be like Hertz claiming that you owed them $75,000 for
damaging a Ford Taurus.

Since a Taurus only costs $25K brand new, how can you seriously
consider any damage claim that was significantly higher than the car's
brand new purchase price to be even remotely legitimate?

No, there wasn't any liability claim from hitting another vehicle (or
building). As per the local police's assessment of the damage, the
damage claim by the rental agency is SIX TIMES higher, and are roughly
3x the cost of an entirely brand new vehicle.



Why not invoke as much layer of protect as one can
to begin with? Insurance would be one layer.

But of course. The problem is that sometimes, simply having
insurance isn't good enough to protect you from simple corruption.
This isn't the first time for Belize, as the ~20 deaths on the
infamous 2001 Wave Dancer cruise comes quickly to mind.


-hh

John Sisker wrote:
I agree with you in that respect, but this also emphasizes the point that in
other countries, we have to abide by their rules - right or wrong to our way
of thinking. That is also why, at least on cruises, if one even opts for
information on available shore excursions, they are usually warned to stay
way from things like this, and for this very type of reason. Of course, the
Warrens were apparently not on an cruise, yet admittedly did not read the
contract and/or fine print either - or possibly thinks it doesn't count to
Americans. Now they are up Belize creek, sort-of-speak, without a paddle.

Vacations can indeed be a risky business at times, with all types of things
that can and do go wrong. Why not invoke as much layer of protect as one can
to begin with? Insurance would be one layer. If on a cruise, sponsored shore
excursions would be another (to a degree).

Agreed, doing something stupid is supposed to be expensive.


The bottom line is, don't let an uninformed decision be an expensive
mistake.


Insurance scams also pollute the tourist landscape - sometimes they're
in league with the rental agency.

Bottom line, don't do anything that would presumably be safer with
insurance. Hire a driver with their own vehicle and pay them to drive
around. Agree to a flat rate up front and let them take the dings.


--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

"Ron T" wrote in message
news
I think the $12,000 was in Belizean Dollars, not US dollars. That makes
the actual original amount around $6,250 US Dollars. The article does
not make this clear, but given it is a Belize TV station, it would make
sense. Then to compound the confusion, I think the Warren's seem to
responding in US Dollar amounts.

That is still out of line and I'm guessing is essentially the cost of a
replacement cart in Belize.

Correct.