car rental

Ginny · Newbie

car rental

tony2phones · Guru

For every one good report there are a bucket full of of bad ones. In 30 years hiring cars in Ireland and the UK I have had maybe half a dozen poor experiences including only one problematic. No secret formula just be prepared, know what you want. what you are getting and how much you will be paying for it. Total price at the Desk.

Ginny · Newbie

Thanks! That reduces at least some anxiety!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ginny,

Like Tony said happy customers rarely post. It is the disgruntled ones that vent online and elsewhere. So take all complaints with a grain of salt. Many people complain when it is really their own fault for not knowing the "rules" or reading the fine print. If you hang around here for a while you will figure out how to rent a car. In fact, go to my Car page and read more. I've not had any problems with Dooley and only one problem with Budget when they changed their rules between the time I booked and the time I picked up the car. They should have informed me of the change and I was not happy about that.

Best advice: Read ALL the fine print, know what you are buying, add up all the "extras" for a final total, know what insurance you want to buy.

Michele

Roy · Guru

I'll try to put some notes together in a trip report soon. Just returned from 18 nights in and out of Shannon. Had good experience renting from Dan Dooley. Quick service, decent car (Ford Fiesta). No problems. Returned the car with a full tank of gas with no issue. No money surprises.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

I saw some of your photos on Facebook. It looked nice on some days. You were even in shirtsleeves once.

Michele

Roy · Guru

Yes, it was 72 that day! We were in Ardmore.

JeanneV · Member

I've had good luck with easytourireland.com, Ginny. They give you a guaranteed price in euros and cover everything.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jeanne,

Have you done the actual rental with them or just the pre-booking?

Michele

JeanneV · Member

Both.....that is, a GOOD FRIEND has traveled to Ireland, having booked her car through them and raved about service, price, etc. I have pre-booked for my tour next May. My friend says everything was as stated beforehand, no surprises at all. When I say "both"--that's how close I am to this friend! Her experiences are mine and vice versa. We have been "joined at the hip" for many, many years! I will try to get her to post here herself but she is not one to resort to posting as she's too busy! She's a Federal Court judge "in her spare time," when not traveling.

Carla · Veteran Member

Since a couple of you say that happy customers rarely post about their experience, I'd like to take the time to say that I've used Avis (Shannon Airport) every time we've traveled to Ireland (5 times) and we've never had a problem. The only issue we've ever had with them was one time the brake fluid warning indicator came on about 2 days into our trip. Hubby popped the hood and discovered we were almost out of brake fluid. We had seen an Opel dealer n the general area the day before, so we went there and bought brake fluid. Avis reimbursed us for that purchase (as they should). This could have been a bigger problem if Tom (hubby) wasn't knowledgeable about what's under the hood of cars and used to topping up fluids, changing oil, etc.

-- Edited by Carla on Thursday 12th of July 2012 08:58:54 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Carla,

Thanks for your input. It is good to find a happy customer and only one glitch.

Michele