Saturday, November 5, 2016

The "Scooter Bob's: A Carefree Car Rental Company" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just got an email from Amos who runs Scooter Bob's Island Rentals on the island of Providen- ciales (Provo) in the Turks and Caicos Islands telling me he would be glad to send someone to pick me up at my resort and bring me to Scooter Bob's to pick up a car for my vacation on the island.
Amos from Scooter Bob's Island Rentals
Amos has been helping to run his dad's business for years when his dad takes off for his native Canada during the off-season in the Caribbean.  It was quite a few years ago that my wife and I, along with our traveling friends Jerry and Just Sue made our first trip to Provo.  During one of the first days on the island we knew we were going to have to have a rental car to tour the island.  While eating our evening meal, our waitress overheard us talking about needed a rental car and told us she could help up find one if we wished.  Her boyfriend had a business who rented from Scooter Bob's and she would be glad to talk with him about helping us with the rental.  We arrived to rent the car and were given a small car with a name hand-painted on the hood.  While leaving Scooter Bob's we passed another car and I told Jerry I just had to have that car.  Had "Larry" painted on the hood and I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn't rent a car with my name on it.  
Photo from Scooter Bob's Facebook Page showing some
of the rental items they offer for rent.
On our second trip we rented a car named "Mosquito" which had a starter problem and a few minutes after calling Scooter Bob's we had another car named "Otter."  Well, today Amos sent us on our way with "Ash".  When we knew we needed a car we didn't think twice about who to call, since the service we receive when renting at Scooter Bob's is tremendous.  Scooter Bob's began years ago with the rental of scooters.  Today they still rent scooters along with bikes, cars, vans, SUVs, Jeeps and stand-up paddleboards along with snorkel gear, bait and tackle.  
Hats for sell at Scooter Bob's. I had one just like the yellow
one on the bottom shelf, but later gave it to my son.
At one time I had purchased one of his hats from his fishing business known as "Master Baits."  After wearing it a few times my wife suggested I give it to one of my kids since it wasn't an appropriate had for a high school teacher.  Well, today we arrived at Scooter Bob's and met Amos once again.  Noticed his tattoos and told him about my son who also was about his age and had quite a few tattoos.  Found out Amos is a big ice hockey fan and played at one time as did my son.  The four of us eventually drove off in "Ash" and headed to the nearby supermarket for groceries.  I should tell you that you drive on the left side of the road on Provo and "Ash" has the steering wheel on the right side.  Lucky for me it is an automatic even though I can drive stick.  While pulling into the supermarket parking lot I cut a corner too close and hit the curb.  I heard the hubcap crunch immediately.  I pulled into a parking space and checked the hubcap and tire.  Tire looked flat and the hubcap was missing a piece.  Called Amos immediately and within ten minutes he was pulling in behind me.  Looked at the tire and said there was nothing wrong with it .... it was a low-profile tire.  It was slightly low on air so he added some air and told me the hubcap was no big deal and after another hand-shake, he hopped in his truck and left.  If we ever return to Provo in the future we will make sure we call ahead and reserve our car, since I have never rented from anyone who is as considerate and helpful as Amos and Scooter Bob's.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.


PS - It's been five days since we rented "Ash" and while shopping along the main drag in Provo, I noticed the tire on the driver's side looked low.  An hour later it was flat!  Once again I got out my phone and called Amos.  "I'll be there in 15 minutes!" he told me.  Wasn't even that long until he arrived, parked next to the car and discovered a slight hole in the sidewall of the tire.  He inflated the tire, told us to take the car he arrived in, and headed back to the shop. Just as quick as that the problem was fixed for us and we are now driving "GET A LOT".  Rather embarassing for the girls, but works for Jerry and Me. Only hope he made it back to his business before the tire went flat again!

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