myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 01 March 2003

Hi Steve, hope you got back safely. Not wanting to get overly involved in car hire as yo are doing your review i know but......... We hired cars on both islands, on Tobago we arranged it as a last minute thing through our rep/agent Ava Julien(639-4443) who I think works for Destination Tobago on behalf of Thompsons. We got a 4 door air-con Suzuki car(only got up the big hills-Charlotteville! if you turned the air-con off) for TT$250 per day including damage waiver. car was no better and certainly no worse that others I have driven there. However Trinidad(with my in-laws in tow). Arranged well before Xmas to book a "fully loaded" Lancer with Econo-car(I should have known) In looking at all the possibilities on the web, they impressed both with the content of the site and the speed and apparent proffessionalism of the responses. Got to Trinidad full of the joys as everything to that point had gone perfectly. Went to pick up this "New Fully Loaded Lancer". I was offered a 4 year old Lancer, every panel damaged, upholstery ripped, one tyre appeared to have a bolt missing and all tyres were past being bald. I declined!! I hired a perfectly good Mazda 323 from Sues Auto Rentals. The reason for the note is that I discovered from 2 other sources that they are quite well known for over selling the number of cars they actually have available(airline industry execs. running it?) particularly at carnival etc. They also operate on Tobago I believe Thought it might be of interest.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 01 March 2003

Hi Tim

Good to hear from you again. I take it that you too are back. Sorry that our meeting was so brief, but I'm holding you to that promise of a beer. Yes, visitors who have had your experiences will understand why I take the line I do on car hire. A firm that is good one year may not always be as good the next. Using a brokerage firm who keep their fingers on the pulse gives me comfort. I know several good small firms, but I can only say that they USED to be good - not that they are today. In fairness, they may even be BETTER today - but I just don't know.

In making recommendations that are going to be read and possibly be acted on by thousands of people, I have to take a responsible attitude and as such I feel that its wisest to make SAFE recommendations that stand the highest chance of guaranteeing satisfactory sevice. Your post has just reminded me of something I forgot to publish. I had an update from Yes Tourism the other day, saying that they have added both Sheppy and Shermans to their list of approved car rental agencies in view of good feedback. Apparently they will add the Sheppy and Sherman fleet to their online reservation service over the coming week or two. However, I understand that the online list only represents the most common and popular vehicles they handle. You simply need to contact YT and tell them what you are looking for and they will do their best to find a suitable, reliable and economic solution.

Anyway, Tim, hope your holiday was as good as mine. Any other stories, impressions or views you wish to share?