Cancun, PD Carmen, & Tulum are definitely HUGE tourist traps as many have/are experiencing! The car rental industry uses Americans & Canadian's fear of the traffic & insurance coverage to stick it to the tourist upon the start of a vacation.
Why? Because they can, most will bite the bullet, and pay since the alternatives once you are there, are limited! None of this is really new, it is part of international traveling & vacationing. Been there, done that!
What is new is finding smaller non-corp operations like Easy Way (mom & pop biz I think, not sure) who are competing with corp giants, with extremely well-behaved & professional staff, great service, no hassle or fuss flexibility, equipment, and service! We heard the same car-insurance scams & disaster stories everyone shares.
Here is my story :). We made a reservation for a mid-size SUV, arrived at the airport at 6.30 am, and called to be picked up. Nadir was the on-call agent. He answered & sent a driver! It took a bit, called back & he helped us locate where the driver was waiting!
Got to their lot, definitely nothing big or fancy, the SUV was cleaned, gassed, and ready for its vacation ;). I saw a Jeep renegade being washed, and politely & pleasantly requested it. Nadir was surprised since it was a small-size SUV. He redid the paperwork & sent us on our way with utmost goodness & care.
Their cars are older & their mechanic shop in the yard definitely showed how they're different than the big US corps, e.g., Hertz, Avis, etc., etc. Halfway through the trip, the Jeep warning lights appeared. Nothing major, but since we were actively celebrating my wife's 50th, I preferred to minimize all risks and maximize the fun!
Called back, and this time Danielle answered. We went back to their car yard, returned the Jeep, picked up the original mid-size Mitsubishi SUV, cleaned, gassed, & ready to boogie again. I did make sure the gas was where it was supposed to be, bla, bla, bla.
No fuss, perfect service, older cars BUT well maintained, and all was GREAT. I did prefer the older, a little bodily-dented car because fender-benders happen in any high traffic! It's the same here in San Diego :).
Great service, good equipment, normal makes-sense prices, VERY courteous, polite, & professional staff, and I will use them again. When I treat others with care & respect, I receive the same back, tenfold! When I play, the arrogant, ignorant, demanding I am too-sexy-for-my-butt touristy card, well that works too, but not in the other direction! The trick I used: I ask gently, politely, and with a smile (it works every time :).
WOW, that was long, I really like them I guess :). read more