Local opinion sought...

[NSFW]

Guys and gals,

Quick strange question for you...

What do you like/dislike about renting a van?

From your experiences what were good or bad and what would you have done differently if you were the leaser?

I'm trying to find out for a friend that has the task of reforming a van rental firm, and I'm gauging genuine comments for him.

[danyeates]

I would like to be told where the spare wheel is and where to jack it up! We rented a 7.5 tonne jobby, filled it up and then heard air hissing from the tyre. Would have been much easier to change the wheel if we has known where the wheel was hidden and where/how to jack it up.

[NSFW]

So basically a decent handover?

[Jonboy_t]

Definitely a good handover.

Also, I've always thought that a rental company should capitalise on the space and the fact that very few people actually use it all, and run their whole fleet on natural gas/LPG/electric. HUGE selling point being the only company to offer a 'greener alternative'. They could also charge the same as everyone else, but include a full tank for free - it would cost them a considerable amount less, but they would gain enough business from this fact alone (if marketed properly) that it would more than offset the extra spend.

Not sure if this has been done before, but I certainly couldn't find anything like this when I last rented one 2-3 years ago!

(I want 50%....)

[NSFW]

Cool, that's helpful info... Thanks, I'm going to copy and print this topic off for him so he can base new marketing/promotions on some suggestions and if need be make cost efficient changes.

All vans are within 12 months old too.

[M3Charlie]

Full tank of fuel on pick up then you take the van back with a full tank, nothing worse than picking up a hired car/van and having to fill it up with fuel as soon as you get in it.

Complimentary sat nav to use

A decent handover of controls etc

I'm sure we will all think of some more.

[miln0039]

[quote=M3Charlie]Full tank of fuel on pick up then you take the van back with a full tank, nothing worse than picking up a hired car/van and having to fill it up with fuel as soon as you get in it.
quote]
This for sure.

Plus make sure they're clean! And put an air freshener in there. All the ones I've rented recently have been very smelly.

[NSFW]

So handover and already full with fuel seem to be the most important. (I'm not sure if there is an insurance issue if they are all full of fuel incase of theft?)

[Isimmo]

Ratchet straps available on deposit/hire maybe... Bloomin' infuriating trying to anchor stuff for a one off move.

[GT03ROB]

Full tank of fuel is a good one.

Decent mileage included in daily rate is another. 100 miles is not enough.

Clean vehicle, flexible drop off pickup times

[P101]

Why would one want to hire a van?

[Mark.]

By the hour or half day - at decent rates please - not a couple of quid less than a full day.

[miln0039]

Flexible pick up is fine, as long as the paperwork can be done at these flexible times.

On a previous hire I had to take my documents down before the weekend as those guys didn't work then...

[andye30m3]

What about having tow bars fitted?

I really struggled to find a local place that could supply a van with tow bar

[Jonboy_t]

andye30m3 said:

What about having tow bars fitted?

I really struggled to find a local place that could supply a van with tow bar

I think there is a load of legal implications with this as you have to have a certain type of licence to tow practically everything now. If they could do licence checks and provide a trailer (if needed) with it though, that would be a great idea.

[CHIEF]

There is a guy on here who frequents the Porsche forum and owns a very nice GT3 who owns this place.

http://www.cheepervanhire.co.uk

You could do with asking him.

The vans aren't brand new but you know what i couldn't have give a stuff, Clean enough, no mileage limits and straight forward pricing and wafle free on the website.

He got my business and it saved me a fair bit over other van rental firms.

I'll try and find his profile and report back.

• *edited****

Here we go....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...

Edited by CHIEF on Tuesday 21st February 13:17

[FUBAR]

P101 said:

Why would one want to hire a van?

Exactly. One would expect one's man to have such things.

[NSFW]

That website is great thanks, I'll forward it on...

[NSFW]

Does anyone else have anything to add, positive or negative as I'm compiling this today for him.

[Marko Le Rosso]

Flexible decent rate on 1/2 day use.
Decent hand over, and laminated easy to use user guide for jack points.
Decent check of van, so you can't blame me for previous damage. Something I have to insist happens, rather than it should just happen.
Ratchet attachment points, and hire of straps (got my own now)
Vans less than 2 yrs old
Cleaned inside!
Not so covered in so many graphics! I've paid enough money as it is without getting me to advertise your company, real hate of mine!
Front wheel van option, as they tend to be lower at the rear.

I'll send you my fee in the post!