Proceed with caution! Crikey Campers (WA) Pty Ltd, trading as Crikey Camper Hire, Red Dirt 4WD Rentals, and also known as Red Dirt Rentals, do not have 'force majeure' clauses in their contract Terms and Conditions. You can find their Terms and Conditions on their website, which state that the company asks for a ***% deposit, or other amount (in our case the full hire fee), at the time of booking. They then ask for an $*** payment for bond at the time of vehicle collection. 'Force majeure' clauses deal with what happens to the deposit or any amounts you've already paid when, for example, the hire can't proceed due to factors beyond either side's control.
With this company, your deposit or upfront payment is at risk, particularly in a COVID environment where travel restrictions can easily interfere with the best laid travel plans. Rather than refunding your deposit, their Terms and Conditions state that they will issue you with a 2 year credit note at standard rental rates, with no admin fees and no 'change fees'. If you are happy with that, then that's fine.
But a credit note in the top drawer isn't going to help you much if you are at all uncertain about when you will next be able to use it, and in a pandemic, who isn't? And if you really need a refund for whatever reason, but you've hired the vehicle in WA or the NT, there is no 'force majeure' or 'frustrated contract' legislation in those jurisdictions, to enable you to recover your deposit.
Reputable hire companies ask for a credit card for bond, rather than cash, and they offer a cooling off period after you book the vehicle and pay the deposit. They also have 'force majeure' clauses in their contracts, offering full refunds of deposits or other upfront payments in the event that COVID restrictions interfere with your travel.
If a company can't take your credit card details for bond, and can't adequately insure themselves (to gain the customer's trust that their deposits will be refunded for force majeure), you really have to ask why not? Particularly when that's the industry standard. It's worth checking out. Be well and stay safe out there folks!
