I Visited Jamaica In April

by Nigel Rickerby
(Brooklyn, New York, USA)

My most recent visit to Jamaica was in April of this year, and one thing that I found common among the business class is a seemingly pervasive attempt to overcharge.

For instance, during a stop-over at an average hotel I asked the front desk clerk if coffee was included in my room charge. She said it was not, and would be JMD$250.00 per cup if I wanted it.

During the same trip I was charged US$80.00 for a car tire because a car which I rented got a flat, which I fixed at a reputable service station.

One of the bright spots in this visit however was when I stopped at a roadside business to buy coconuts. As I drank one of my coconuts, I asked a lady, who may have been the wife of the man who sold me the coconuts, to sell me the ackees that she had on hand.

As she was taking them from the pods, she stopped and said that she miscounted and that she was going to do a recount.

Her husband scolded her, saying that passers-by were the life of his little business, and that a miscount of a few seeds of ackees was not going to bring his business down. His words warmed my heart.

The seventies was the only period when traditional tourists rented cars and stayed in small hotels on a large scale. Nowadays most tourists buy all-inclusive packages that, for the most part see them staying in high-end hotels.

So these business people can continue on their path to driving the faithful few to the all-inclusives or other destinations.

Wellesley's Response:

Hi Nigel, thanks for your feedback on our website.

I've read it a few times over just to make sure that I didn't miss anything.

I think I understand where you are coming from, but I don't see anything unusual about your transactions - I stand corrected though.

Relative to the coffee, I actually never expected that they'd provide free coffee for an average hotel, as you put it.

My suggestion to you, is just be be clear on what you are getting when you make a reservation, and even better, ask any questions or any special requests that you might have prior.

In relation to the car, was there a contract between you and the rental company?

If so, did it mention damage to the car or its parts during use, and the expected costs?

My humble suggestion would be make sure that (like anywhere else visited) you get those fundamentals established before you go on your adventures.

I will solicit feedback from my site visitors and those who came here before as well.

You can find the comment link here

Regards,
Wellesley