Message for TYRESMOKE
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Hi tyre smoke
Sorry to trouble you but i am in the process of setting up my own private hire company in the Bristol area, have previously worked as a PH driver before but setting up on my own is a whole new experience.I have a number of corporate clients who have stated that the would use my services along with a few Private clients. I know this is a bit cheeky but is there any chance you could give me any pointers as to the potential pitfalls (have read your post about your awkward driver and have taken note) I will be concentrating on corporate accounts and select (affluent areas) areas where i know the residents would like a more upmarket service than is presently offered, is this the right way to go ? I have insurance quotes varying from £1200-2500 for my car, do you know of any good brokers ? I will be working from home initally to keep overheads low but plan to move to office premises in the near future when business has picked up. Also thinking of doing the same as you and employing all my drivers directly rather than a commission basis as i want to stick to one brand of vehicle is this a good idea. Sorry to have gone on for so long but any help you could offer would be grately appreciated, thanks in advance.
Gordon Matthews
P.S wont be coming anywhere near your area if thats of concern
Sorry to trouble you but i am in the process of setting up my own private hire company in the Bristol area, have previously worked as a PH driver before but setting up on my own is a whole new experience.I have a number of corporate clients who have stated that the would use my services along with a few Private clients. I know this is a bit cheeky but is there any chance you could give me any pointers as to the potential pitfalls (have read your post about your awkward driver and have taken note) I will be concentrating on corporate accounts and select (affluent areas) areas where i know the residents would like a more upmarket service than is presently offered, is this the right way to go ? I have insurance quotes varying from £1200-2500 for my car, do you know of any good brokers ? I will be working from home initally to keep overheads low but plan to move to office premises in the near future when business has picked up. Also thinking of doing the same as you and employing all my drivers directly rather than a commission basis as i want to stick to one brand of vehicle is this a good idea. Sorry to have gone on for so long but any help you could offer would be grately appreciated, thanks in advance.
Gordon Matthews
P.S wont be coming anywhere near your area if thats of concern
Happy to give you any info that I can. I insure my cars (4 of them) through Norwich Union via Taxi Direct brokers. £1200 sounds good to me, what car is it? I have 4 different vehicles, all the same colour scheme and signwriting. I don't think having all the same vehicles is necessary, just get the best deal at the time you want to change. Also, all the same model will have all the same niggles - yes you will find them, seat belt rubs your shoulder/neck, clutch foot gets numb,etc.
How many vehicles are you going to start with, and why have an office? If you are PH, then it's advanced bookings only so you don't need an office. Unless of course you go Hackney Carriage - is this dearer than PH in Bristol? If not, go HC so you can do both PH and HC. Got a trusted garage that can do your servicing/fix your cars at VERY short notice? If not, start looking - especially one that works, or will work on your cars on a Saturday morning. Are you planning to accept card payments? Not really necessary at start up, just take you customers via the cashpoint. But good if you want to ensure payment.
Lastly, get some decent cards printed and put them everywhere. Don't fall for the cheap looking cards with a dodgy print of a mid 90's Mondeo on them. Get a card designed (I use Fullphat)that's a bit different - mine are portrait rather than landscape and a bit Art Deco. If you haven't already have a look at my cheaply set up website - www.parkwaytaxis.com which all helps generate revenue. Lastly, find a company local to you that you can trust - then you can pass work between you when you are busy without the fear of them trying to nick your customers.
Anything else I can help you with, email me.
How many vehicles are you going to start with, and why have an office? If you are PH, then it's advanced bookings only so you don't need an office. Unless of course you go Hackney Carriage - is this dearer than PH in Bristol? If not, go HC so you can do both PH and HC. Got a trusted garage that can do your servicing/fix your cars at VERY short notice? If not, start looking - especially one that works, or will work on your cars on a Saturday morning. Are you planning to accept card payments? Not really necessary at start up, just take you customers via the cashpoint. But good if you want to ensure payment.
Lastly, get some decent cards printed and put them everywhere. Don't fall for the cheap looking cards with a dodgy print of a mid 90's Mondeo on them. Get a card designed (I use Fullphat)that's a bit different - mine are portrait rather than landscape and a bit Art Deco. If you haven't already have a look at my cheaply set up website - www.parkwaytaxis.com which all helps generate revenue. Lastly, find a company local to you that you can trust - then you can pass work between you when you are busy without the fear of them trying to nick your customers.
Anything else I can help you with, email me.
Thanks for the reply tyresmoke.some relavent points about getting a prospective partner to pass work to when either of us is busy, actually have a company in mind already for that. As for the car i've managed to do a deal with Audi in bristol to buy a A6 2.7tdi (in silver with reasonable spec)as i have a friend who works for them, and are willing to deal on any future purchases. Initially i'm going to be on my own but as business picks up I will buy other cars, as for drivers not sure wheter to employ them direct or get them to work on a commission basis. Can't go the Hackney route as Bristol CC set limits on the number of HC licences they have at any one time and have checked and they are at their limit and you can only use wheelchair accessable vehicles. Your right about not needing an office I plan to work from the study at home for a while, Just thought it may give a better impression to the corporate clients but i suppose if i provide the service thay require they propably wouldn't care where my offices are. With regards to pricing, most of the PH companies in bristol only provide really tatty cars, my plan and pricing policy is that because we provide a premium car and service we may be able to charge 10-15% more than the others do you think this could work ? used to work for a company thaat did this and the PH side of their business was quite healthy it was the coach side that caused them to fail, and its alot of their former customers that i will be aiming my services at have spoken to a few of the former corporate clients and they tell me they are unhappy with having customers picked up in battered old cars but haven't brouched the question of price with them as I just made inital enquires to the companies
My thoughts are that you don't need a 2.7 Audi. It might be a nice motor, but it will drink like Oliver Reed on a night out. At the end of the day it is the tool of your trade. I have just bought a 55 plate 407SW for £12k. Looks the dogs with it's panoramic roof,etc.
You might get lucky with 10/15% extra for your top notch customers, but are you really going to have enough of them to make a living? With only one car you can only do one job at a time, so you might find yourself turning work down - that is truly heartbreaking.
Your customers will not worry what they are travelling in, as long as it is clean and well presented inside (think clean tidy Mondeo as opposed to 'S' reg Nissan). Unless you have a number of corporate clients that are going to keep you driving all day every day, you will need to do Friday and Saturday nights too - this is where the money is, quick jobs. Remember taking a company director to Heathrow is going to take you out of the frame for at least 4 hours (?) but Saturday night you can do 5 or 6 short jobs around town and earn a bigger hourly rate. You may not want to post it here, but how much would you charge to go from say, Keynsham to Heathrow? Then ring a few local companies and ask them. Your average punter will not pay extra to travel in an Audi over a Mondeo (or Peugeot for that matter!)
You might get lucky with 10/15% extra for your top notch customers, but are you really going to have enough of them to make a living? With only one car you can only do one job at a time, so you might find yourself turning work down - that is truly heartbreaking.
Your customers will not worry what they are travelling in, as long as it is clean and well presented inside (think clean tidy Mondeo as opposed to 'S' reg Nissan). Unless you have a number of corporate clients that are going to keep you driving all day every day, you will need to do Friday and Saturday nights too - this is where the money is, quick jobs. Remember taking a company director to Heathrow is going to take you out of the frame for at least 4 hours (?) but Saturday night you can do 5 or 6 short jobs around town and earn a bigger hourly rate. You may not want to post it here, but how much would you charge to go from say, Keynsham to Heathrow? Then ring a few local companies and ask them. Your average punter will not pay extra to travel in an Audi over a Mondeo (or Peugeot for that matter!)
Hi tyre smoke
I understand what you say about the Audi but i have actually tested both the 2.0 and the 2.7 and found that around town there is very little difference when it comes to fuel consumption (4-5mpg) and on the motorway the 2.7 performs better as its not struggling to pull such a heavy car. I have already sourced a local Audi specialist who would be willing to work on my car at short notice and i trust him as he has done work for me on other cars.
As Jamesuk28 has said I will be aiming for specific customers and having carried out a bit of research in the areas i intend to operate in, most would pay a small premium for the service i intend to offer (think one down from a Chauffer rather than full on private hire). Initially i will be working for another company and as my own business picks up will be doing less for them and they have agreed to help cover work for me as long as neither of us approach each others customers.
I understand what you say about most customers not caring what car they travel in but as i said the clients i intend to work with often want or require a better class of taxi than is presently available without the expense of going down the chauffer route. I understand that i will have to work friday and saturday nights as this is the busiest times for our line of work and that a run to a london airport will take me out of circulation for a long period of time and my hourly earnig rate will drop but as busines picks up I aim to take on another driver initally on a commission basis then take on drivers on a paid basis to help cope with what i believe will be a steady increase in business.
I know it will be a struggle to establish my self at first but i'm hoping that the level of service i offer to customers that are already willing to use my services will lead to them recommending me to others and to that extent i am thinking of offering some kind of incentive scheme haven't worked out what yet but have a few ideas. I haven't got all my pricing structure finished yet but have already done what you suggested and there is a very wide disparity between the pricies already (£30-40 in some cases) so i dont think my prices will be that much different from the norm for long distance runs and around £1-1.50 dearer on the shorter runs but again there is quite a bit of differende between companies in the area for instance i get charged anywhere from £8.00 to £10.00 to go into town from where i live according to which company i use. I would aim to go in at around the £9.00 mark and offer a better service.
I understand what you say about the Audi but i have actually tested both the 2.0 and the 2.7 and found that around town there is very little difference when it comes to fuel consumption (4-5mpg) and on the motorway the 2.7 performs better as its not struggling to pull such a heavy car. I have already sourced a local Audi specialist who would be willing to work on my car at short notice and i trust him as he has done work for me on other cars.
As Jamesuk28 has said I will be aiming for specific customers and having carried out a bit of research in the areas i intend to operate in, most would pay a small premium for the service i intend to offer (think one down from a Chauffer rather than full on private hire). Initially i will be working for another company and as my own business picks up will be doing less for them and they have agreed to help cover work for me as long as neither of us approach each others customers.
I understand what you say about most customers not caring what car they travel in but as i said the clients i intend to work with often want or require a better class of taxi than is presently available without the expense of going down the chauffer route. I understand that i will have to work friday and saturday nights as this is the busiest times for our line of work and that a run to a london airport will take me out of circulation for a long period of time and my hourly earnig rate will drop but as busines picks up I aim to take on another driver initally on a commission basis then take on drivers on a paid basis to help cope with what i believe will be a steady increase in business.
I know it will be a struggle to establish my self at first but i'm hoping that the level of service i offer to customers that are already willing to use my services will lead to them recommending me to others and to that extent i am thinking of offering some kind of incentive scheme haven't worked out what yet but have a few ideas. I haven't got all my pricing structure finished yet but have already done what you suggested and there is a very wide disparity between the pricies already (£30-40 in some cases) so i dont think my prices will be that much different from the norm for long distance runs and around £1-1.50 dearer on the shorter runs but again there is quite a bit of differende between companies in the area for instance i get charged anywhere from £8.00 to £10.00 to go into town from where i live according to which company i use. I would aim to go in at around the £9.00 mark and offer a better service.
Sorry forgot to say thanks for the advice its helpfull to get a perspective from someone in the industry who isn't biased. I have run my ideas past my business manager and he seems to think that as long as i stick to my original ethos with regards to service etc i should be reasonably succesful
Not only are you cheaper than a chauffeur but you will be more flexible. Cant ring many chauffer companies up and ask for a car in 30 mins.
I feel the average private hire is a bit like Tescos, good value, good service, clean tidy and it does exactly what it says on the tin. YOU seem to be aiming at the Waitrose end of the market - same basic product but charging more for it. In waitrose they greet you with Good morning Sir or Madam, in Tescos its a cheery Hello. Both accetable but different.
Starting a business is hard, scary and results do not happen overnight. I have started 3 companies and by hard work and outstanding customer service and prices all three are doing well. My advice get your goal and never give up, yes the risks are significant but the rewards, as I know TYRESMOKE can vouch for, are more than worth it.
I feel the average private hire is a bit like Tescos, good value, good service, clean tidy and it does exactly what it says on the tin. YOU seem to be aiming at the Waitrose end of the market - same basic product but charging more for it. In waitrose they greet you with Good morning Sir or Madam, in Tescos its a cheery Hello. Both accetable but different.
Starting a business is hard, scary and results do not happen overnight. I have started 3 companies and by hard work and outstanding customer service and prices all three are doing well. My advice get your goal and never give up, yes the risks are significant but the rewards, as I know TYRESMOKE can vouch for, are more than worth it.
Hi jamesuk28
Didn't realise you ran Gemini as well. Just to let you know have decided to go with your company for the website, I have to wait till the 8th Nov for my car to be delivered and for Audi to give me back the cash on my trade in ( start up capital) so wont be able to go ahead till then also having a photo shoot of car for broucher purposes and would like it to be the same as the website and still waiting for the company doing the write up for me to get back to me. As soon as I get it all together I'll send you what you need and you can get started.
Cheers
Gordon Matthews
Didn't realise you ran Gemini as well. Just to let you know have decided to go with your company for the website, I have to wait till the 8th Nov for my car to be delivered and for Audi to give me back the cash on my trade in ( start up capital) so wont be able to go ahead till then also having a photo shoot of car for broucher purposes and would like it to be the same as the website and still waiting for the company doing the write up for me to get back to me. As soon as I get it all together I'll send you what you need and you can get started.
Cheers
Gordon Matthews
Gordon, Ignore victor, he always pops up on forums whinging about other people its because he has a very small p8nis and is an insignificant little man. Sorry spelt PENIS wrong.
Yes I own and run The Gemini Group which I built up from Scratch thanks for the order and when the brochure is ready please get in touch just realised I typed this whole sentence without a single comma or full stop naughty me
Yes I own and run The Gemini Group which I built up from Scratch thanks for the order and when the brochure is ready please get in touch just realised I typed this whole sentence without a single comma or full stop naughty me
victormeldrew said:
It might be an idea to get any advertising/website copy you are going to use vetted by the PH spelling and punctuaution police - a useful free service from PH? 
Cant, accetable, succesful and broucher in the last three posts!
I can't spell either. Cant, accetable, succesful and broucher in the last three posts!
Since the family business was private hire, I might have actually had some useful input. You'll never know, thanks to the gratuitous abuse. Have a nice day.
Edited by victormeldrew on Tuesday 31st October 17:37
Dinkmatt,
I've been reading this thread with interest. I think it's great to see you heading off on your own. Where are you based?
Good luck with the Audi, sounds like a nice spec of car without being too flash. I think you will do well if you pitch for the right kind of market
Would Audi offer you a good deal on a replacement / additional cars to the fleet in the future?
David
I've been reading this thread with interest. I think it's great to see you heading off on your own. Where are you based?
Good luck with the Audi, sounds like a nice spec of car without being too flash. I think you will do well if you pitch for the right kind of market
Would Audi offer you a good deal on a replacement / additional cars to the fleet in the future?
David
I'm going to agree with TyreSmoke that clients won't really care about the car. My dad's car is a Mondeo and the companies colour scheme is awful (Gold), they're nothing fancy and the interiors are rather average yet the corporate clients, politicians, celebs, etc don't really seem to care. They continue using them.
Oakey said:
I'm going to agree with TyreSmoke that clients won't really care about the car. My dad's car is a Mondeo and the companies colour scheme is awful (Gold), they're nothing fancy and the interiors are rather average yet the corporate clients, politicians, celebs, etc don't really seem to care. They continue using them.
I agree. As long as the car isn't a beat up Datsun Cherry most people would be happy with any reasonable car as a cab. If a journey in a Diseasal Skoda Octavia costs say £1.50 a mile, and you wanted £2 for the Audi I would use the Skoda.
mcflurry said:
Oakey said:
I'm going to agree with TyreSmoke that clients won't really care about the car. My dad's car is a Mondeo and the companies colour scheme is awful (Gold), they're nothing fancy and the interiors are rather average yet the corporate clients, politicians, celebs, etc don't really seem to care. They continue using them.
I agree. As long as the car isn't a beat up Datsun Cherry most people would be happy with any reasonable car as a cab. If a journey in a Diseasal Skoda Octavia costs say £1.50 a mile, and you wanted £2 for the Audi I would use the Skoda.
Don't forget it's also Dinkmatt's personal car... I think its a nice balance. I agree on the front that normal fare payers won't be arsed what it is
Most will appreciate it, but I think few would pay a premium for it. Dave
Hi Gordon,
As someone who has spent the last 20 odd years in the Chauffeur business I have read what you have written with interest. I think you are going about it the correct way, by having a slightly smarter than average car and offering a high level of service you will be successful. I started my first business with a Volvo, a diary, and a telephone number, spent very little on marketing or brochures ( no websites then !!) and went out and worked mt ar5e off trying to find clients who wanted to pay for service first.
Today I run a fleet of BMW 7 series, all less than 3 years old and have 2 offices in the south of England. All through hard work, seven days a week 24 hours a day.
Stick with your ethos, and if you need any help or guidance PM me, I'll be glad to point you in the right direction.
Nigel
As someone who has spent the last 20 odd years in the Chauffeur business I have read what you have written with interest. I think you are going about it the correct way, by having a slightly smarter than average car and offering a high level of service you will be successful. I started my first business with a Volvo, a diary, and a telephone number, spent very little on marketing or brochures ( no websites then !!) and went out and worked mt ar5e off trying to find clients who wanted to pay for service first.
Today I run a fleet of BMW 7 series, all less than 3 years old and have 2 offices in the south of England. All through hard work, seven days a week 24 hours a day.
Stick with your ethos, and if you need any help or guidance PM me, I'll be glad to point you in the right direction.
Nigel
bmwdrivernigel said:
Hi Gordon,
As someone who has spent the last 20 odd years in the Chauffeur business I have read what you have written with interest. I think you are going about it the correct way, by having a slightly smarter than average car and offering a high level of service you will be successful. I started my first business with a Volvo, a diary, and a telephone number, spent very little on marketing or brochures ( no websites then !!) and went out and worked mt ar5e off trying to find clients who wanted to pay for service first.
Today I run a fleet of BMW 7 series, all less than 3 years old and have 2 offices in the south of England. All through hard work, seven days a week 24 hours a day.
Stick with your ethos, and if you need any help or guidance PM me, I'll be glad to point you in the right direction.
Nigel
As someone who has spent the last 20 odd years in the Chauffeur business I have read what you have written with interest. I think you are going about it the correct way, by having a slightly smarter than average car and offering a high level of service you will be successful. I started my first business with a Volvo, a diary, and a telephone number, spent very little on marketing or brochures ( no websites then !!) and went out and worked mt ar5e off trying to find clients who wanted to pay for service first.
Today I run a fleet of BMW 7 series, all less than 3 years old and have 2 offices in the south of England. All through hard work, seven days a week 24 hours a day.
Stick with your ethos, and if you need any help or guidance PM me, I'll be glad to point you in the right direction.
Nigel
There speaketh a wise man.
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