Posted by Pak Kece on Thursday, 8. October 1998 at 20:40 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Anyone had their tyres let down? posted by Lonnie on Thursday, 8. October 1998 at 07:34 Bali Time:
Some years ago I was visiting "air sangeh" nearSingaraja on the North Coast. I was swimming for an hour or two and when I returned to our hire car (one of those old type VW no roof) I discovered two nearly flat tyres. I tried to change one but, you guessed it, the spare was bald and flat, so bald you could feel the inner tube. Apart from that the jack didn't work and there was no wheel brace. Some local kids were standing around suspiciously and strongly suggested it was getting late and I would be best staying overnight at a losmen nearby (owned by their parents of course)My friend and I improvised and were able to remove a wheel with a borrowed spanner. There was still a little air in the tyres and we chuffed off. Found a warung and paid for the tyres to be repaired. Halfway back to Denpasar 9.00pm the bald tyre blew out. The spare was useless dead flat, punctured I suppose. We left the car there and hitched a ride back in a bemo.Next day I paid out on the hirer saying it was a piece of junk. He agreed.
Yeah, I'm sure it was a scam.
I often go back to Bali and I love to rent a car and drive it myself. I have learnt to always check before taking delivery of any hire car to check spare, jack and wheel brace. Also whenever I park I look out for a "tukang parkir" or just a local and offer to reward them well if they keep an eye on the car. A small investment for piece of mind, don't you think?