Easy Tour Ireland car rental

timetravel · Member

Easy Tour Ireland car rental

Michele Erdvig · Host

Timetravel,

Welcome to my forum. I am not familiar with that car rental company. Or is it a tour package company that includes car rentals? Do you have a link? I Googled it but come up with so many different options it is hard to decide which one you are referring to.

Once we have the link perhaps someone else on the forum will have some input for you. A bit more info will help us help you.

Michele

timetravel · Member

http://www.easytourireland.com

Thanks Michele. Here is the website link. It's not a tour package - they seem to just provide the Hertz car connection. It was brought up multiple times on the TA forum and several people were interested - but the rates were low enough for them to question was it a real deal.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Timetravel,

I had a look and it does seem to be an excellent price since it includes everything. The reason that veteran Ireland travelers are leery about such deals is that we have been burned in the past by prices that seem too good to be true and did not live up to the hype.

Since I don't know the company and have never used them I really don't know if it is legit or a come-on. You could try calling Tourism Ireland to ask them if they know anything: 1-800-223-6470 (US & Canada #).

If anyone on the forum has used them, please chime in with your info.

Michele

murphy · Guru

I found this sight too, and got a quote; one way from Knock to Dublin for Oct. Their price was similar to Dooley's, but managed to find the best price on: journeythroughireland.com. Both "journey" and "easy tours" have Hertz franchises. It appears that easytours lets you pay for the SuperCDW ahead of time, but "journey" says that we need to do that at the rental desk (18.50 Euros) in Ireland.

I read some good reviews by folks that had used them on Trip Advisor.

I did call and talk to a gentleman with an Irish accent at easytours, as their websight is a little funky for trying to get a one way rental. You have to put in a regular return, and then select the one way option in a later step of the process. I have read some good reviews on both companies....have never read one complaint that there were surprise "extra charges" for either company, or for Dooley for that matter....so that gives me peace of mind...you might want to see which of the 3 has the best quote.

We used "journey" last year...no problems....great car, no hassles or high pressure at the desk, even though we declined SCDW since we had purchased additional insurance with insurance4carhire.com Have rebooked with journey for this Oct. They offered a decent discount for prepaying, and no credit card transaction fees, like you would have if you rented in Ireland.

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

Thanks for you input.

Michele

murphy · Guru

Michele,

You're most welcome!

It seems like I don't stress out as much about the Ireland car rental situation now as I use to...maybe it is getting better, or maybe I'm getting use to it!

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

You're getting used to it! wink

timetravel · Member

Thank you Michele and Dan. I also contacted Dan Dooley and got a very competitive rate.
Michele, I think I saw a post that you personally have rented from them. Do you recommend them overall? Are their cars in good shape? We will be renting an automatic from the Dublin airport and returning the car there also.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Yes, I have personally rented from Dooley the last few times I've been in Ireland. Good cars, fast service, no "hidden extras", good customer service. That was my experience. I rented in Dublin and Shannon so I've checked out both depots.

I have read on other forums about people having problems with Dooley and every other car company out there. I always try to fix any car rental problems that come up immediately, keep paperwork, write down names, etc. It is better to over-document things than not document it. If you are a squeaky wheel you will most likely get what you want.

Dooley many times gives even better rates over the phone. Get your online quote and then phone them. If you call the NJ office they can charge your credit card in US dollars, avoiding a foreign transaction fee (which you might have on your card). Use this code for a 5% discount: dochara. When you are in Ireland have them charge you in euros. Feel free to mention IrelandYes.com. A client of mine just saved over $400 with Dooley by doing that.

timetravel · Member

Thank you so much Michele. I called the NJ office and got a very good quote. Reading about all the car rental nightmares on the forums has been quite intimidating. It's already a challenge to think about driving on the "other side", and to have to worry about expensive insurance, inclusions, ripoffs at the counter, it adds to the trip planning stress. But now I have a much better feeling about my rental. Thanks again - you are very helpful :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

The only good thing about reading about car rental "nightmares" is that you become informed in advance and can do your homework. What is really bad (and I have seen it countless times) is people arriving at the car rental desk in Ireland only to be hit with extra charge after extra charge till they are shell-shocked. They end up paying two and three times the price they originally thought they would pay.

You have navigated the Ireland car rental quicksand, come out unharmed on the other side, and can now concentrate on more fun things with your trip.

timetravel · Member

Exactly! I shudder to think of what my experience might have been had I not found all this good information!

murphy · Guru

And, worse than being shell shocked at the rental desk in Ireland, is to get home and find 4 extra charges on your credit card...been there....done that! It is so tempting to chase the low price that you see on some internet booking sights...but Michele is right...you need to have faith in those who have been there before and have the experience, and then follow their advice. We who have gone thru this mine-field of Irish car rental are glad to help out!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Right you are Dan. There are so many ways the car rental companies can get you. Another thing is never initial or sign anything on the agreement if you don't know what it is. They will try to sneak extras onto you when you are exhausted from an all-night flight. Always ask for an explanation, read it and either sign or not.

JeanneV · Member

The best part about easytourireland.com is that they cover EVERYTHING; the price quoted is guaranteed in Euros; there is no payment until after the rental is completed and no cancellation penalty. I have had excellent service with them! (Note: There is no "S" after "tour" in the website.)

Michele Erdvig · Host

JeanneV,

Welcome to my forum. I hope you will share more info about Ireland with everyone not just the car endorsement. It would be great to hear about what you enjoy there and any other tips that you think will be helpful.

Michele

JeanneV · Member

Will do! I have traveled to Ireland before but this next trip is my first rental with easytourireland.com and I am just so pleased with what I have experienced so far. I love Ireland and go as often as I can. My favorite places, to date, have been the Burren, the "usual" shopping meccas (Avoca Woolen Mills, Blarney, little shops in Spiddal, Waterford Crystal, Connamara Marble, etc.), Giant's Causeway, the Walls of Derry, the Black Taxi tour in Belfast, cruising about Dublin, and also staying at Bushmills, the Europa in Belfast, the Sandhouse Hotel on the ocean, and just generally enjoying the scenery and the lovely Irish folk.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jeanne,

When is your next trip? Do you have an itinerary set yet? We will look forward to your review of easytourireland upon your return after using their services. I hope it is easy and painless.

Michele

JeanneV · Member

Next trip is planned for May, and yes, my itinerary is set. I have traveled to Ireland several times and am taking my sister on this trip (who has never been to Ireland) and seeing some of the same sites and staying in some of the same places I have before. I can never get too much of Ireland, even going back to the same places! I have a picture taken of a Connemara pony last year that I have displayed in my home--a lovely 14x16 framed print--and my sister has admired it and now wants to see "that pony" in real life! I have told her about staying at the Lough Inagh Lodge and that's another place she remembers me telling her about where we will be staying. I am really looking forward to the trip and will report upon our return--and about our experience with easytourireland!

AKLR · Veteran Member

We, too have booked our Hertze rental with Easy Tour. We will be coming to Ireland in October. They are a US based company (strange name, huh) and are located in Salt Lake City Utah. Here's a local (from US) phone number (385)282-5265. I have spoken with JOHN, and he has been most helpful. However, we have not yet had our trip, so can't speak for what may happen when we get to Ireland. But he does have an aggrement with Hertz, so feel comfortable with that. And we don't pay until we pick up the car. I have re-checked directly with Hertz and all seems in order at this time. But, would appreciate hearing any problems people might have had with them if any.

Sue

JeanneV · Member

Sue, you will be traveling before I so please give us the benefit of your experience with Easy Tour. I have been most pleased with everything so far and glad to hear you have been also.

AKLR · Veteran Member

Jeanne,

I will certainly post our experience with Easy tour. John really has been most helpful with us in giving us a name of a person that will even meet us at the airport, transport us to our hotel in Dublin, then pick us up to go to the car rental and finally the BEST - for just a small amount will "drive ahead of us to the outskirts of Dublin. My husband is quite concerned about having his first minutes of driving in Ireland be getting out of Dublin. I've talked with this gentleman often and he too has been very helpful.

SUe

JeanneV · Member

Sounds great! Can you "share" the name of the person who will be transporting you to the hotel, etc., and his contact information? That sounds like a great deal!

Roy · Guru

JeanneV wrote:
The best part about easytourireland.com is that they cover EVERYTHING; the price quoted is guaranteed in Euros; there is no payment until after the rental is completed and no cancellation penalty. I have had excellent service with them! (Note: There is no "S" after "tour" in the website.)

I'm curious of everyone's opinion of what advanatege there would be in paying at the end of the rental. Since I would be paying in euros, would I not be at the mercy of the exchange rate at the time, as opposed to locking in a good rate now?

Michele Erdvig · Host

The exchange fluctuates all the time. It is always a gamble. It could be favorable or unfavorable. I think you should do what makes you comfortable.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Easy Tour Ireland is the new venture by the individual who once ran Journey through Ireland. Both utilize Hertz. Both offer two quotes, a low rate with out inclusions and an all inclusive rate. That is where the similarities end.

Easy tour has you pay at the end of the trip and in euros. With Journey through Ireland, you have the capability of paying ahead of time and in US dollars. I find this beneficial because it takes away the hassle and worry usually associated with Irish car rental.

AKLR · Veteran Member

We rented with Easy Tour Ireland last year and would hightly rate them. We were able to actaully talk with a man in the US, who was very familiar with Ireland and aswered all my questions. He works with Hertz, but we found this company much more helpful than actually visiting with representatives with Hertz. We were also recommended a wonderful gentleman who met us at the airport, as well as picked us up to go the the car rental (as we didn't get the car until after we left Dublin), and the best part of his service, was he piloted us out of downtown Dublin to the motoway in the direction of where we were heading. As this was our first time of driving a vehicle "on the wrong side of the road", we were a little nervous driving in Dublin. I hope you consider them and if you have any more questions, please let me know.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I was actually able to secure a better vehicle selection and deal working through the Hertz website, THIS year, after having used Dooley almost exclusively for the past 3-4 trips. They offer a Pre-Pay option, too -- and it provides a decent discount, for paying in advance. I used Budget semi-recently, with good results -- though they DO require a HEFTY Deposit when waiving the Insurance. Hertz advises that they require a 3000 Euro 'Hold' (not a Charge, like Budget).

I've used a number of different Car Hire companies (and Agents) over the years -- MOSTLY without too much hassle. Dooley has always been the most Transparent, though -- so they tend to be my 'Go To' Company of Choice.

Sadly, THIS trip (June-July 2013) their vehicle options that best suited my needs (There will be 6 of us for the first 10 days) was cost-prohibitive. Dooley offered a Ford Galaxy mini-van (7 passenger, manual trans) for $1400. Hertz let me book a 5/7 (2 rear 'Jump Seats') Passenger MPV -- Peugot 5800 AUTOMATIC, for $710 (Pre-pay, waving Insurances). We'll see how it all turns out ...

I requested a quote from Journey Through Ireland a few trips back and found their price NOTICABLY higher than Dooley, so I've NOT used them. When vehicle selection is critical, though, I tend to think that you are better off working directly with the company, rather than through Agents confuse confuse

Bob

Roy · Guru

I've used several companies in the past too, including Dooley. This year, Dooley is higher on my dates of travel. I'll give the Hertz site a look.