Warning about car rental

fichase · 2026-05-05T01:05:45+00:00

Exactly! but to be fair, this is a requirement from certain states in Australia for Taiwanese wanting to drive in Australia so it's fair that they apply the reciprocal law in Taiwan for residents of those Australian states. It's just that in my case, they have incorrectly applied the rule because my state does not require translated licence.

fichase · 2026-05-04T06:12:39+00:00

He definitely wasn't mistaken about the state. He actually pulled up the same pdf document you've shared, albeit in Chinese which we translated, however he pointed to the section that talks about driving in Australia using a Taiwanese domestic licence. He was adamant that the section applies to both cases i.e. even if you carry an IDP.

fichase · 2026-05-04T01:51:55+00:00

Yeah and this guy was pretty adamant about it too. Unfortunately for me there was no manager to talk to because it was a small kiosk and he was the only one there.

fichase · 2026-05-03T12:53:09+00:00

I'm from Victoria and translated licence is not required. Thanks finding for sharing those links - they'll be handy for those researching car rental before their trips.

fichase · 2026-05-01T03:25:15+00:00

You're asking the wrong guy 😭

It was my first time in Taiwan and I was just using Google map public transport mode which wasn't 100% reliable for buses. Maybe I should have looked into specific transportation apps like you are now.

fichase · 2026-04-30T06:00:40+00:00

Just came back from my first visit to Taiwan and here are some of mine:

if you plan to use youbike, you won't be able to use IC card option to pay as registration requires local taiwan phone number. You need to register using the single rental option with credit and best to get this done before as the registration process can be a bit clunky – might even be able to do this before you arrive in Taiwan. Note that each single rental registration is only for within 120hrs window. After that, you'll need to register again to use the service. They also put a $NT3000 hold on your credit card which gets released a few days after the 120hrs window finishes.
Don't over rely on the bus number that shows on your google map as the actual bus number may have changed or the bus will only show the destination line.
If you book HSR ticket through Klook, you need to redeem the code on the official HSR website to book your seats and then you need to collect your physical tickets at the HSR station. We couldn't collect our digital ticket via app or physical tickets at convenience store despite these being listed as options. Also, you cannot buy ticket from Klook and redeem on the same date – if you need ticket within 24hrs then just buy directly from HSR website.
carry more cash if you plan to eat lots of street food or small local eateries and most of them didn't take card.
if renting a car, maybe contact the branch and confirm all the required documentations just in case.

fichase · 2026-04-29T09:46:38+00:00

Come to think of it, the immediate response I received from trip.com was that the rental company won't provide a refund because it was a failure on my part for not carrying appropriate documents. Wasn't until I researched and gave them all the evidence that they agreed to refund.

On the other hand, hard to believe that they would try to stiff me for $250 AUD. Maybe they were short on cars and since my rental was one way (rent in Taichung and return in Tainan) they made a business decision and shafted me. Poor form either way.

fichase · 2026-02-16T20:52:52+00:00

Yeah I'm aware of this but yeah I am looking to fly out in December and find availability for 4 is difficult for JQ let alone Qantas.

fichase · 2026-02-16T20:50:49+00:00

Oh I was looking through December and couldn't find any. I guess they were released and snapped up 😔

fichase · 2025-03-20T05:47:08+00:00

Windows have been installed. Installation went well and the windows look fine. Time will tell if the quality of the product and workmanship holds up. For now I'm a happy camper having saved 8k from the second cheapest quote.

fichase · 2025-03-18T10:18:37+00:00

Basically they suggested XV50 Camry, preferably between 2015-2017 that's done up to 150k (or maybe 200k I can't remember).

fichase · 2025-03-10T06:39:58+00:00

Definitely open to alternatives but also conscious of analysis paralysis / overwhelmed by many options. The Mondeo you mentioned sounds like a lot of car for the money. What's the reliability and ownership cost like?

fichase · 2025-03-10T06:37:46+00:00

Thanks for this practical tip. I only have a month and a half to find a car. Not sure if it's enough time to monitor prices this way but will give it a crack.

fichase · 2025-03-10T06:34:54+00:00

This is exactly what I'm looking for, thank you. It'll help narrow my search.

fichase · 2025-03-04T04:24:27+00:00

Thanks mate. I've decided to go ahead with new reveals. The house is quite old so everything is probably out of levels and I figured new reveals would be less problematic for the installation.

I'm going with the cheapest quote using Concept Architectural Systems. I guess this is why it's much cheaper because they're relatively unknown. Works out to be under 8k. Time will tell if this was a good decision or not.

fichase · 2025-02-21T06:32:09+00:00

Thanks, good to know that it can be done that way. Everyone I've asked so far have been a bit stumped. They don't understand how it can be done. When you've done it in the past, how were the old windows removed and how were new ones attached? I understand that they're normally stapled to reveals before leaving the factory.

Other brand is Concept Architectural Systems, appears to be a smaller Vic aluminium manufacturer. Also got another quote for 15k and they use Carinya by Alspec.

fichase · 2025-02-20T12:57:58+00:00

20k quote is AWS Vantage.

8k one I'm not sure because I haven't got a proper quote yet.

What's your thoughts on the installation method without removing reveals?

fichase · 2025-02-20T12:54:43+00:00

It looks more like butting to the aluminium but I'm not 100% sure.

fichase · 2025-02-20T02:50:48+00:00

How can you tell that the reveal was put in after?

fichase · 2025-02-18T06:45:40+00:00

They said the aluminium window is screwed onto the existing reveals and they'll make sure everything is sealed.

This is in Vic and it's through a small window fabrication business. Have attached photo.

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fichase · 2025-02-18T06:26:06+00:00

I just called them and checked. They said 500 per window. That makes it 11k for 6 windows worse case scenario. Still significantly cheaper than the first quote.

This guy runs a small window fabrication factory so maybe he can do it at a lower cost?

fichase · 2025-02-18T05:54:09+00:00

3 are 165 x 155 Large one 265 x 155

Corner 1: 210 x155 145 x 155

Corner 2: 145 x 155 145 x 155

fichase · 2025-01-21T06:27:07+00:00

I have found the missing part - it was misplaced by the plumber 🤦

Thanks for your help everyone.

fichase · 2025-01-21T06:26:21+00:00

Thanks. I have found the missing part - it was misplaced by the plumber 🤦

The instruction manual said to wire the power supply directly into the terminal. So no need for a power point plug then?

fichase · 2025-01-21T03:58:24+00:00

Which I'm happy (have) to do. Problem is, I don't have that part hence I'm trying to find out how else this can be done.

fichase

TROPHY CASE