07/09/2014 00:00
TW
0

Car Hire Insurance
Dear Sir,
I have recently hired a car from a rental company in Palma airport and was bullied into taking extra insurance which was not needed. The guy told me if I did not pay, no car. I had my five-month-old grandson with me and had pre-booked and pre-paid for the car. I feel these bullying tactics should be looked into as a tourist, it will put people off. I have since spoken to 3 other families who were told the same thing all from the same rental company.
Yours
M Green

Dear Sir,
People ask me why I sign off my letters Playa de Palma. I am proud to have selected Spain as my adopted country, Majorca as my island and the Playa de Palma for my home. I also do so because I feel the area is put down often unfairly possibly again in Friday’s Daily B (News in Focus).
The Chief of Police of Calvia has been arrested on suspicion of intimidation/extortion of some tourist businesses in Magalluf. Now police asking “cash for favours” are being asserted for my beach. Looking for direct information I decided to ask around for other local peoples’ opinions of these claims. I have now talked to owners with long term (10 - 30+ years) experience in bar, bar-restaurant, laundrette and holiday rentals - 9 in total. None of my fellow owners are the type to mince their words but ALL have had no problems with the local police. If their music was too loud or their tables to far out on the pavement the police have rightly called for correction often with a fine for repeated abuse – all of which the owners accepted. I asked specifically (and in confidence) about extortion and to a man they emphasised that this has never occurred nor been hinted at. The only tickle I got was that one policeman had suggested the bar take out an advert in the Police Gazette but accepted the rejection as the owner’s British clients were unlikely to buy it as a holiday guide book.
Mike Lillico
Playa de Palma