Burke's Beach Rentals — Local services in Tybee Island

LITERALLY GO ANYWHERE ELSE! It would be zero starts of possible. I sent an email a little over a week before our trip to reserve 3 chairs and 2 umbrellas for our stay the following week. As I have melanoma, limiting sun exposure is essential. I was told by the lady “ok, but to bring cash because they only accept cash and close at 4:30”. We get down here to Tybee Island and call to get directions go pay in cash like we were told to do so and the lady who answered said “well we usually only take credit cards, we don’t like cash”. Seriously?! Ok fine, we pay with a credit card. The next day we come to get our rentals and the place is closed. WE DID NOT GET A PHONE CALL, TEXT, EMAIL, ANYTHING saying “hey we apologize for the inconvenience but due to the weather we won’t be setting up the chairs and umbrellas today.” WE HAD TO CALL THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON! My friend Sarah calls and the lady COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE RUDE. Sarah said “hey we’re here for our rentals” and the lady said “are you on Tybee Island? “ and Sarah said “Yeah” and she said “Have you even looked at the weather?” And Sarah said “yeah, it’s not doing anything right now” and she replied “well we’re not putting our stuff out today and chasing our umbrellas just because you want to sit on the beach”. WOW. REALLY?! Could she have been anymore rude and unprofessional?!?! All she had to say was well we’re not going to put our rentals out today due to the weather, I’m sorry for the inconvenience, etc. LITERALLY ANYTHING along those lines would have been professional and respectful, but no, she thought being rude and unprofessional to customers was perfectly ok. This place needs some serious education on customer service, respect, phone/ email communications and just how to talk to people in general. We will NEVER rent from these people or ever recommend them to anyone ever; only tell them to AVOID this place. Save yourself the unprofessionalism and disrespect- go literally...

The “kids” running the rental in front of Hotel Tybee are rude, condescending and grossly misinformed.

They presented them having a permit as them practically owning the public beach and asked my husband and myself to relocate (we were not sitting in their chairs nor using their stuff but set our personal belongings up between two sets of their unoccupied rentals).

When asked to see their permit stating we could not set up there and they basically owned that section of the beach - they went back to their umbrellas and made a phone call. When the call was over he returned and said “you want this spot? You got it.. but can I ask what made you think this spot was a good spot for your stuff?”

After he walked away I called the City of Tybee to inquire about the permits, and where visitors were allowed to place personal belongings. I was then transferred to code enforcement and was talk beach visitors can set up anywhere. Permits do not mean the beach is owned by the rental company. That so long as we were not occupying their property we could place our personal property...

Excellent service! We called to make a reservation for the next day. Barney Burkes called us that night to see what time we wanted our chairs the next morning. We noticed there were some bad reviews & told him we would be sure to post a glowing review. They are a family owned & operated business. They set up every day at 14th Street (I think he said the north end). We were at 10th Street & they delivered to us. Thank you for your flexibility & willingness to drive all over the island pleasing customers. Yes their hours say 4pm but honestly after a full day at the beach 4pm is okay. Especially if you’re trying to go eat at any restaurant on the island! Thanks Barney & family!! We hung your magnet on our rental’s fridge!...