Just for Fun Boat Rental

05/16/09

Never again!

by JamesZ at Citysearch

We rented a 24' pontoon boat and a wave runner today at Just for fun. Before we got on the boat, we were concerned when we saw it started raining. We asked if we could wait till the rain stopped or come back on another day (we've already paid), and the staff told us we could not change our time since there were other customers lined up after us for our boat. We could not get a refund either. They would only give us a store credit to use on another day. The staff assured us the rain would pass in a few minutes and it would be just fine for us to go out. So when the rain lightened up a bit we got on the boat and went out.

It took us 5 minutes to get out of the marina. After another 5 minutes on the lake, it started raining so hard again we became soaked immediately. In a hurry to get back to the dock we went to the wrong entrance and had to turn the boat around in the shallower water near the marina. Before the boat was barely parked, the staff yelled us that we damaged the propeller. In the heavy rain, we raised the motor and only got a sneak peak at the "damage" to the propeller, which I could hardly tell how it was different from a few minutes before we went out. It puzzled me how they were able to tell it was damaged from hundreds of feet away when the propeller was fully submerged under water. My gut feeling was that they were used to business practices like this. As long as you enter the shallow water, they call for a damage.

They insisted on us paying for the "damage", which was $100+tax, or we wouldn't get the rain check for the 2 hours we'd already paid for renting the boat. We started questioning why they would let us out on weather condition like this and how they could tell the damage before we came ashore. The owner became very rude and refused to talk with us anymore, By this time, everybody was very upset, our day was already ruined. Even if they gave us a rain check to ride their boat on another day, we wouldn't want to come back. We had to negotiate very hard with one of the front desk ladies to take the charge for the "damage" and half an hour of rental fee from what we'd already paid and refund us the remaining amount.

In the end, it came out to be 5 minutes of boat ride on the lake for $190. What a rip-off!

So take my lesson, avoid Just for fun. If you'd like to take a chance, be careful. Take a picture of the propeller before you go out and take a picture after you come back, if weather allows.

• Pros: On the lake
• Cons: Horrible service

08/24/07

EXTREMELY poor service, bad boat conditions

by philipntx4 at Citysearch

I've used Just 4 Fun for years, but lately they've apparently decided that less is more and don't care anymore about what kind of product they put out. I've used them at least once a year over the last 3 years. I used to use them more frequently than that way back in the 90s. On this last trip we rented one of the party barges. They are supposed to supply an ice chest, grill, and driver. One key word missing in front of all three is "working." The ice chest was broken. The grill was absolutely filthy, as if no one had cleaned it in 5 years. I asked the driver for a light for the grill. He said "Duh, it has one of those ignition switches on it." It was broken. Luckily he had a lighter. (I had asked for no smoking onboard, but the driver smoked anyway.)<br>

I needed to mention that the counter staff, in person and on the phone, are some of the rudest people you can find. They couldn't care less about anyone walking through the door. They look at you like you're nothing but a bother to them.<br>

After the trip, our group went to Carlos 'n' Charlie's right there at Emerald Point. The driver of the boat, Thomas, actually had the nerve to follow us in and have some buddy of his come over and start harassing us because we didn't tip him. He certainly didn't deserve it! I had been told before that tipping was not necessary, so since the first time I used them I never have. This guy, though, thought he deserved one and only after his obviously drunk friend bothered us for the third time, we tossed some money at him to make him go away. It was completely disgusting.<br>

The owner, Pete, used to be a nice guy and had a good thing going, but it seems that now he's completely unavailable and doesn't dare lower himself to helping with customers. I encourage people to explore and use other watercraft rental places on the lake with bigger craft that cost the same or less.

• Pros: It's on the lake
• Cons: Service, conditions of equipment, service, staff, service

07/27/06

Fun Times

by texasgal78 at Citysearch

I've done several party cruises on Lake Travis through Just for Fun and have always had a great experience doing business with them. The staff is friendly, helpful, and fair. Anytime, I've been charged extra for anything was my or my party's fault. They have a great service and I will definitely go through them again!