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Need Help On Loaner Cars

Joe Marconi
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Randy Apprentice

Randy

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In an effort to compete with the dealers we are considering loaner cars. We already sell used cars, so converting one or two of our cars into loaners would not be any great cost. I would like to know if there are any experiences and tips from those shop owners who have a loaner program or just if anyone has an opinion, I would greatly appreciate it.

I think this is a great tool and not very expensive.I was really thinking about this as well.Do you think it would bring in more clients.And has any one been offering this service.

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  • 2 weeks later...
kellyurl13 Rookie

kellyurl13

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We have seen a lot of new people come to us due the closing of so many new car dealers. Many of them are used to loaner cars. I don't want to loose this customer base.

 

I think for me, it's worth the try.

 

 

 

The shop I left before opening this one has used loaner cars for about 10 years. Customers love it and don't mind paying a small fee for the convience. They were charging a $15 maintainence fee and replace the fuel you use.

 

The down side was the cost of insurance, cost of maintainence, lots of customers did not replace fuel(especially when gas was higher) . We were constantly cleaning and refueling cars. I think it would be important to have someone inspect and clean upon return to avoid any body damage and low fuel.

 

I would do a cost/benefit analysis and see if it would be better to work a deal with a local rental car agency.

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CARMandP Proficient

CARMandP

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I worked at two different new car dealership's before starting my own business. One of them had their own loaner cars that they could offer to a customer if the customer needed one. The other dealership had a deal with Budget Car rental (I think) that they used for their loaner cars. You might want to see if there is any car rental places that would give you a deal that way the car is the responsibility of the customer/rental place and not your expense. You could add a small fee to the customer ticket if they wanted a loaner car and you may have to eat some of the cost. You would have to think about the difference of the cost of owning and maintaining your own cars verses just paying a little each time to a rental company and not having to worry about your own car.

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