Charles can you run down the per min rates for me? Trying to figure out how many to purchase up front!

Thanks again, I rented from you last year too, it was clear as a bell to the States, GREAT SERVICE! I have a reservation with you already for pick up 2nd week in May.

Thanks,
L@@king forward to getting back to Paradise!!!
Sandra

Sandra,
Super glad you asked that. DIGICEL has raised the rates with .05¢ per minute. This makes the ad currently on this board incorrect. The rate of .19¢ is no longer valid (with any one - if it were, I would be the first to stick with it) The new rate is .24¢ per minute.

I always recommend that you purchase a minimal amount. For example, if you are absolutely sure you will need 60 minutes, then get 30 or 45 minutes. It's amazing how we can regulate ourselves when we know there are restrictions.

While I appreciate the business, I just had a family of three (one teen-aged daughter) rent a phone and use over 1,000 minutes in one week. Perhaps we should re-define the wuard "vacation" fir that young lady. By the way, I said the same to her parents and to her.

Be well and - unless it is an emergency - think "minimal" .

charles
arubafastphones.com

Hi Charles

We are from England and going to Aruba in a weeks time. We have always vacationed in Europe before, this is our first time "long haul". In Europe; although it is quite expensive we've always used my own cell phone just to let those at home know we were there and check they were ok etc. What I was wondering is will my own cell phone not work in Aruba, will I not be able to use it at all? Will my people at home be able to contact me on my cell phone?

Although we don't phone home a lot we do like to check in on occasion and don't want to be completely out of touch for 2 whole weeks.

Having read a lot of your reports I value your advice as I get a really good feeling about your honesty and good old common sense.

Thank you.

Sue

Charles you sure are a Knowledgable person.

Charles, I am returning Saturday and intend to try to meet you while in the airport, (if you are working that day). You have always provided great stories about the beautiful country of Aruba and I just want to thank you. Your stories and descriptions give me a pleasant daydream until I can return to your wonderful country.

Thank you.

Sue,
I appreciate your comments. Thank you.

If you are not going to be on the phone much and only need to do the two critical calls ....

1) got here and all is fine
2) on the way home and wish I weren't

....then I do not recommend you rent a phone at all. I also do not recommend you use your home cell phone. Why?

Once the gang back home knows your cell is open, they will call. PERIOD!! They will run up your bill asking you to tell them about the weather. Another thing is that the call times will be inconvenient since there is a difference in time zones.

If it is important for you to do business at 3AM (Aruba time) then so be it. Rent a phone and go to it. However knowing most Europeans, you probably vacation to get away. Enjoy your vacation and only rent when it is needed.

LAST NOTE
We were all cought up in how to increase rentals and while I was in Miami, I went to an advertising guy to give me ideas. He took me into his home office and we started to talk. He showed me this large chainsaw that he had hanging on the wall in his office. Massive piece of machinery. Then he asked me what a fair price would be for me to pay to rent it. I said I did not know since I did not need it.

He looked at me and said - Exactly!

Moral of his message to me? Unlike buying,
people rent what they need when they need it and for good perceived reasons.

And.... while there are others on the market, if you need a cell phone, I hope you will give our company a thought.

charles
arubafastphones.com


Charles
arubafastphones.com

Thank you Charles

I just KNEW you would be fair and honest in your response to me. Do the Aruban "powers that be" know what a wonderful ambassador for the country you are? I certainly hope so!

You are quite right my husband and I do vacation to get away from it all and only like my phone in case there is an emergency, my family probably would not ring unless this was the case.

I can't wait to visit your island, everything I read about it sounds so wonderful.

Thank you again.

Sue

Hi Charles,
My husband and I are also arriving this Sat. the 13th from Boston. "Direct Flight Thank Gawd" The sooner the better. We just ordered our cell on the internet to pick up at the Airport. I also hope your working that day to finally meet and put a face to the man who writes those wonderful stories. We both, so much enjoy . As well as giving such helpful suggestions to us folks on the board. Keeps us going all year. Our tenth visit. Great Job and many thanks.
Deb C. in Ma.

Hi Deb and others,
Thanks so much for your kind words. Nice to read them. I try to work only on week-ends at the airport and then not the whole day. Sundays are crucial to us as a family and it is my time to connect with my son.

Charles
arubafastphones.com