Record rent a car

[El Gordo]

Record Discount

Received this morning the email Booking Voucher? (if you can call it that) including the 10% discount so now paying 200.74 E for the berlingo for 14 days.

250.91 less 25 (Record Club points earned previously) less 10% = 200.74

I got charged 53E for 60 litres of diesel in Feb so expect similar this time, but will be able to use it up over the 14 days this time, so not so bothered about the fuel policy!!

Will refuse the additional insurance as I have bought the Insurance4carhire, Use the link on this site to help fund it!!

 

[ryansclan]

Like GL I checked prices again for a week at the beginning of May and they had gone down from when I last looked. Originally 127 euros down to 119. Then I got 12 euros off by virtue of my 'club points' then emailed them for my Puerto Pollensa (Port de Pollenca) Holiday Travel , Majorca Mallorca discount. Vale! An email back today reducing the price for a Fiesta for a week to 95 euros. Well done to Forum Power!

 

[joelise80]

I don't know what to do now after catching up on this thread! I have booked through Do You Spain with Record for 4 days in May and there is no way we will use a full tank of petrol. I have emailed Record just to confirm it will be full/full for 4 days like it states on the voucher. If this is the case I am wondering if it will be cheaper to get a travel to PP by bus or to book a transfer and then hire a car in the port. Or is it worth trying to book another hire car but I would prefer it to be on site? The change in fuel policy is nuts for those who go for short breaks as it will in effect double the price of the car hire Any ideas?

 

[ryansclan]

Hi Joelise, I share your problem next month. I have searched all of the car companies while I was out there last and also on the internet but they all now seem to have the same fuel policy. Record was one of the last to implement it. I'm going out for 4 days at the beginning of April and this takes us JUST into the full tank policy unfortunately. We've decided to book coach transfer up on that occasion through transferstore.com and they're charging £25 per person return for two of us. I could get a car for £65 but then they add £50 of petrol when I would only use about £10 maximum. It seems there's no way around it though, best of luck.

 

[El Gordo]

Hi Joelise

I agree with Ryansclan.

Ive looked and not found any "Budget" hire company offering Full/Full anymore.

Your suggestion of busing there and back adds hassle on such a short break as well!!

I think you have to swallow the pill despite its horrible taste and enjoy your trip.

Several of us have contacted Record about this policy with no success and pointed them to this forum.

We have been successful in getting 10% discount which helps. But this probably does not apply to going via DOYOU as they have to be paid commission! and you got it cheaper than direct.

I think we should start suggesting that we pay actual fill-up charges (they must know how much it has cost to refill a particular car) instead of paying a full tank, then it would be "Win some Lose some" situation, but better than the present.

 

[Gommar Goffer]

Hi all - Autos Roig still operate a full/full policy with all inclusive insurance http://www.autosroig.com/index.php

They are more expensive though so it is 6 of one and half a dozen of the other!!

They also have a VIP account for frequent users where you get 1 day free for every 10 booked - usefull if you arrange car hire for other people.

GG

 

[El Gordo]

Yes Autos Roig are expensive!!

Quote for Fiat Doblo (nearest to Berlingo) was 462 Euros for 14days.

Record was 250 Euros before the points rebate and then the 10% discount to PPforum members.

No competition really just accept that petrol will increase the overall cost.

When I was out for 6 days in Feb, the Berlingo only cost me 53 Euros, petrol 53 Euros (for 60 litres!). We did do a few trips but still took it back 1/4 full, which was worth 14 Euros so not too bad.

The problem really is for short bookings 4 days or more when its difficult to use up the tank or you are only using it to get to/from PP.

Really we should be green thinking and not try to use it up for the sake of it.

(using Air con with windows open!!, going everywhere in third gear, accelerating and braking harshly, going places you didn't want to go!! and other ridiculous tricks, all the things we are trying not to do!)

As I mentioned in an earlier post it would be dangerous to syphon off the excess apart from whats needed to get you back to the airport and donate it to some good cause!!! Being really silly now!!!

Feel better though after seeing the cost through Autos Roig!!!!

 

[joelise80]

Just had a look on the Autos Roig site and we would still be paying less if we stick with Record and use half a tank of fuel than if we changed our booking to these. Sneaky ways of making money really get me mad - I would sooner they just put up the prices, it is like all the extras on a 'cheap' flight aarghh! Thanks for the info guys - I think I will save myself any more hassle and stick with what we have already booked.

 

[Sharonh]

I have just had a thought on this issue. Would it not be possible to make two separate bookings? So, if you were going for 6 days you could do two bookings of 3 days each, therefore avoiding the full/empty policy. It may not work out cheaper though as it is usually more expensive per day for 1-3 day rentals compared to the daily rate for rentals 4 days and over.

Just a thought if someone wants to investigate!

 

[El Gordo]

I think you would have to return the car to the airport and then pick up another!! 130km of fuel!!

Or if you did one way ie pick up at airport and drop off at PP if it were possible, you are usually charged 30 Euros for the facility!!

You cannot win!!

 

[Lorenzo]

Recordrentacar

I've been a regular customer of Record for the past 10 years or so and have generally been quite happy with them. I'm used to the fact that the cars have become scruffier of late but was happy to put up with that.
On my recent trip to PP (13 - 17 Oct) I found that I still had to return the car 'empty' which is just not feasible on a 4 day stay - unless maybe you want to drive around in first gear the whole time
The car that I was given a Hyundai Getz conked out on day 2 on the road from PP to Pollensa and I had to ring the Record Helpline. It was no fun being stuck in the cycle lane on that busy road I can assure you! The helpline was, at best, unfriendly and certainly no-one spoke English despite there being a key to press for an English speaker. I scraped through in my best Spanish and was told that I had to wait for the tow truck to arrive. I then went to look for the warning triangles and yellow jackets - none to be found. I'm just so glad that the Guardia Civil didn't stop when they came past as I believe that these items are legal requirements.
The tow truck arrived about an hour later and I duly headed back in the tow truck to Palma airport. I was given an upgrade car - a Seat Leon - with no back wiper, grubby, lots of dinks and - guess what - no warning triangles or yellow jackets. When I queried this, the guy at the desk told me that they have a policy on not putting them in their hire cars. So where does this leave the person who has rented the car legally?
This experience has seriously dented my confidence in Record now.

 

[eleanor]

The whole car rental situation seems to be a hornets nest. Judging from the comments on this site, prices have gone crazy and service has disappeared. I always worry when driving when I am in Mallorca alone and the thought of what happened to Lorenzo happening to me is not a good thought. Whatever would happen if you were on the way back to the airport to catch a flight? Dump the thing and try for a taxi I suppose. I would also like to know what the situation is re triangles and yellow jackets. I didn't think to look when out recently.
I remember previously someone coming up with the idea PP cars - sounds like a good idea to me!!

 

[joelise80]

I know when my parents have been to mainland Spain and hired a car they have taken their own hi vi and triangle due to an aquaintance beeing fined in the past, they picked them up in in somewhere like Netto for a couple of quid. Realistically it is not something at the top of my list when sqeezing everything in to my ever decreasing luggage allowance.
We have used Record for several years now and the cars are definately aging badly - our car was filthy inside in September but went back cleaner as I had to sort it out
I just can not agree with the full empty policy and my OH would prefer to syphon off the petrol rather than give it back but never has done yet

 

[pollensa]

Re the triangles & jackets etc. see info from the AA web site:

"Compulsory equipment in Spain:
• Spare tyre – or tyre repair kit and the equipment to change the tyre
• Spare bulb kit – and the tools to fit them
• Warning triangle - one warning triangle compulsory for foreign registered vehicles but carrying two is recommended as, in an accident/breakdown situation; local officials may impose a fine if only one is produced
• Reflective jacket - The wearing of reflectorised jacket/waistcoat compulsory if driver and/or passenger(s) exits vehicle which is immobilised on the carriageway of all motorways and main or busy roads. However, it is not mandatory to carry a reflectorised jacket in the vehicle and Spanish police cannot fine a foreign motorist who does not carry one. Be aware as Car Hire Companies are not under legal obligation to supply them to persons hiring vehicles, so often don’t."

More at European Driving Advice : AA touring tips. Local rules and advice for European countries - The AA

 

[med777]

hohum... wish I hadn't looked now !
Picking up my 'space for the wheelchair' regular hire berlingo ( I hope) from Record on sunday... and had NO IDEA about hi vis vest & triangle. Does anyone know if Carrefour is open Sundays... I know Alcampo is closed, but I should be able to pick the kit up in Carrefour....yes ?

Miriam

 

[clinkham]

I booked with Record and ended up with a shed when out at the end of August. It was actually builders white van - VW Caddy with (thankfully) dried spilt paint in the luggage area. 97k kilos on the speedo. However, having read the tales of doom on here I was (almost) happy to get under way to PP. One thing about driving a bent and battered shed is that there was no stress when the kids started putting feet on the seats and buckets of sand on the floor. Big plus point was that I had ordered early before the prices went up, so was 'only' paying £250 + fuel + tyre insurance for the fortnight.
However! Just been checking prices for 14 days at the end of August next year. Record quoting around £550 for a Berlingo, Europcar an eyewatering £1969 for a VW Touran incl max insurance (£206) additional driver (£77) and 2 carseats (£150). Avis were looking for £916 for a Zafira - I didn't bother with the extras!
We have booked our digs with a £600 deposit. The airfares and car hire have yet to be sorted.
All sorts of things to consider: Stop in UK and cancel accomodation and lose deposit then do day trips to Blackpool. Taxi transfers up to PP but 2 return trips needed - split party arriving/departing different days. And so it goes on. And in the background, our friends involved in an accident in a.n.other rentacar, where brakes failed in an emergency and serious injury sustained.Poor/non existant maintainance blamed. They will now deal only with Hertz/Avis.
Booking your arrangements for a holiday in PP should not be this depressing - how long can these rip offs continue? I note in Daily Telegraph there is talk the Euro is way above what it should be and there is a correction coming. Will it make any difference, I wonder?

 

[eleanor]

Hi Clinkham, They got away with it this year so they will try again next. Until the majority say enough is enough it will continue to be a rip off. I will use the Hoppa and then public transport for my summer visit. I know for some this isn't possible but these companies that rip off need to be hit in the pocket. I'm extremely worried about the stories told regarding the slap dash attitude of some of the rental companies. I just hope they are not charging over the odds, ripping us off AND putting our lives in danger by poor maintenance.
The need to have yellow vests and triangles is a worry too as I would expect them to be part of the rental. It came as a shock to find out that it is the renters responsibility to provide such items and not the rental company. I wonder how long it will be before the police target rental cars knowing these items are generally absent from the boot - excellent revenue provider for them in terms of fines!!
This is all getting just a little bit silly now and so off putting for the visitor to Mallorca. enough just has to be enough!

 

[ragdollabbi]

Sorry to sound depressing, but these rip-offs are going to continue for as long as we (and I'm guilty too!) allow them to, and pay the exaggerated rates for car hire, flights, accommodation and restaurants. I hate to have to say it but if things don't improve quickly the average person will not be able to afford to holiday any more.....even in UK. We are being ripped off in this country as well. More and more places are closing and if what they are saying about more hotels becoming all inclusive things will get worse for the small business (restaurants and bars) One thing we Brits do not like is to be ripped off!!!!!!

 

[pansy potter]

Hi Miriam

Sorry to bring more bad news Carrefour is shut on a Sundays I always hope the 2 ( Alcampo and Carrefour) be open as we nearly always travel on a Sunday

Good Luck with the car we had problems with the standard of Record cars too this year. Got no joy with customer service and the staff at the airport did nt want to know either. Be sure to check car over and start engine to make sure air con works that was one of our problems this year !


Pansy

 

[clinkham]

Further to my earlier post this evening, been looking at Villa Parade as they advertise 'free car hire'. We had an excellent 'out of season' April 7 days with them in 2007. However, having had a quick skim of their website, their prices for 2010 seem to be somewhat higher than previous years with prices starting at £2500 for 2 people for 14 days, accomodation only. And the free car hire seems to be only for bookings made up to March - "For all reservations taken after the 31st March 2010 an additional charge for a car will be levied." Humm!