After a week of using a Budget Truck, we turned it back in. There were two problems. First they wanted us to lock our vehicle doors to protect the radio. If a thief wants a radio, a little glass will not stop him. We have found after 8 trips to Bonaire that leaving the doors unlocked and no valuables in the car is the best policy. In fact, we even leave the windows down a little bit, so that passersby know that we are not trying to hide anything. The second problem was that Budget wanted to charge us an extra $5.00 a day for a second driver. We were there for five weeks, so that would have amounted to an extra $175.00. We had our resort look for a better deal and settled on Netty's. Not only were they cheaper, but they did not charge for an extra driver. They also requested that we keep the doors unlocked with no valuables inside. I can almost bet that some of the broken glass that we saw at some dive sites was from Budget vehicles.

karen, that is so odd. we rented with budjet last september and they never said anything about rolling the windows up and locking the doors. We of course left the windows down and doors unlocked at all times and never had a problem. I wonder if they have changed their policy.

I have rented from Netty's several times. Great place to rent from and very accomodating.

Karen told me that the truck had a fancy (Pioneer?) CD/Radio installed in it. Which if it was stolen because they left it unlocked ...

Nevermind the big ol' Budget Rent-a-car logo plastered on the side to let everyone know it's a rental.

A little defense for Budget.

I have rented from them several times. Have also rented from others (Have not tried Nettys yet). We have always been pleased with Budget. We have had no problems and I would expect to rent from Budget again.

Interestingly enough, the Jeep type of thing we rented from budget had a sticker on the dashboard which read something similar to "Shore Divers, Do not leave valuables in vehicle, and always leave windows down" This is parapharsed, but in essense its point was in direct contradiction to what Karen was told.

We got quotes in advance from several rental companies and Budget won. We did not pay the list rate and I presume that most rental companies will beat published prices when quoting. Budget also discloses the $5.00 fee up front. Just like the CDW cost. You can deny paying the cost of either if you just sign the form stating that desire.

Anyway, Karen may have had a bad experience, but we have always had a good expereince.

Be very careful about Budget.
My experience is they changed the rental agreement, refused to process a claim although I had signed for CDW and were generally uncooperative except when trying to take my money. When pushed they changed their story and lied to me.

We've used Netty's many times over the past ten years and have been very satisfied with Netty, the owner, and her well-maintained vehicles. We have found her very friendly and helpful.

John and Carol Collins

We've been renting a RAV 4 from Budget for the past 5 years now (6 next week).. so far, so good...

Just an update on my earlier message.
When I got back home someone tried to hit my Amex card for $700 in the name of Economy Rent A Car using a false authorisation code and a date when I was off the island.
The only people on Bonaire who had my Amex details were Budget.
During my visit a half tank of gas was siphoned from a locked gas tank. The thieves seem to have had access to a key. That day I also found Budget have no roadside recovery program, breakdown and you are on your own.
Don't use Budget, you risk a spoiled vacation.

I highly recommend Netty's. I have rented from her several times. Great rates and service.

AB Car rental came out to the Divi to help us out when we could not find our car keys....quickly and all smiles and no charge. We always use AB. Carole

PS We did find the keys eventually and returned the "extra" to them. If we had permanently lost the original keys there would have been a charge ($50, I believe) but they were right there immediately when we needed them and no hassles, etc...and no charge for the road call to give us the "extra" key.