Quantcast
Jump to content


Tips on starting a relationship with car rental company?


Recommended Posts

I would call and reserve car in customers name. Make sure they had proof of insurance and credit card. I help get customer to and from rental car but they often get there own ride. Customer pays rental car at "Shop Repair Rate" and I give them rental car rebate off the repair invoice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

does anyone know how the insurance and liability is handled with loaner cars? Worst nightmare is a customer getting into a major accident with your vehicle.

With todays blame game climate, develop an eye to eye,on a first name relationship with a rental car companies personnel. Set things up for customer to pay and have them picked up or dropped off as needed.

I want to service, repair and worry about Customer Pay cars not My Fleet Of Loaners.

 

 

Now if I Sold cars I would have a different answer.

Edited by FROGFINDER
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have a policy that if a repair bill, not counting tires, is $300 or more, then the client is entitled to a rental car free of charge for one day (only if necessary.) We have a deal with the local rental company (Enterprise) where we get cars for $30 per day. We will take our client to Enterprise for the car with the understanding that if they don't return it on time, then they pay the difference. We have a charge account with Enterprise, but we take a $30 check to them for the first day. That way my client sees us pay for it, and sees the benefit to them.

 

I had a lady to come in this past Monday A.M. She had a bad radiator in her 2008 Mini-van. Being on her way on an out-of town business trip, she had no other way but her van. When I told her about my courtesy car policy, she had her problem solved. I sent the $30 check and when she returned Friday she paid the other days. Her bill with me for repairs turned out to be a $788 invoice. The shop supplies charge was $22.88 so the rental car only cost me $7.12 since I charged for anti-freeze on the R-O. Her husband came in with her to personally thank me for providing transportaion to his wife.

 

I thought about having 2 or 3 loaner cars, but with Enterprise the client gets a new car with a full gas tank, and I have no, zero, zilch, liability because it is rented in the client's name. I just pay for it.

 

Sometimes a car comes in at say....2 to 3 in the afternoon, and needs work that will make a pretty good invoice. If we cannot service it the same day, I will offer a free car til the next day. This assures I get the job, and the client knows we care.

 

I have had as many as 6 cars at a time rented. It had proven to be very profitable, popular, and client-retaining!!

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Loaner cars are great to have when you have a problem child vehicle because it can buy you time. We do not have a fleet of loaners but we do have two vehicles that we use.

I just purchased a Toyota as a loaner car. This seems like a good idea to have for problem child cars. But, "nobody" is answering the questions about how to "reduce liability" when we do loan them out. Yes, Enterprise is great in many cases. They come to our store and pickup the customer for us also.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just purchased a Toyota as a loaner car. This seems like a good idea to have for problem child cars. But, "nobody" is answering the questions about how to "reduce liability" when we do loan them out. Yes, Enterprise is great in many cases. They come to our store and pickup the customer for us also.

Again, http://www.ratchetandwrench.com/RatchetWrench/August-2014/Managing-a-Fleet-of-Loaner-Vehicles/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have used a few loaner cars for years. I have to be careful with what insurance companies give us quotes. Yes cars cost about $600 a year for insurance but as a transmission shop paying for rentals become costly. We always use the "borrowed vehicle agreement" from Reynolds & Reynolds. This transfers the liability to the borrower first and my shop second. Without this we would have been on the hook for the one incident we have had lately.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I called my insurance company several months ago to get a quote for insurance for a loaner car. I was told that they could not find anyone who would write a policy. My question to those that have loaner cars is this. When you got insurance, did you tell them exactly what the car was being used for?

 

Scott

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I called my insurance company several months ago to get a quote for insurance for a loaner car. I was told that they could not find anyone who would write a policy. My question to those that have loaner cars is this. When you got insurance, did you tell them exactly what the car was being used for?

 

Scott

Yes. It was a headache as most insurance agents have no experience in this area. You'll have to exercise some patience in handling this. Your best bet is to call around and see if you can find out if anyone local has any experience with this insurance situation. Obviously, laws will be different state to state so it's difficult to give advice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I advertise free rental cars if the vehicle is scheduled for that morning and it doesn't get finished by 5. I call enterprise, they come pick up the customer. The customer gives them their credit card for incidentals, and the customer is responsible for the gasoline but I pay for the actual car rental. Enterprise just sends me the bill.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I talked with my insurance rep the other day, and brought up this topic again. He told me it is insured as a business opened vehicle, and can be driven by customers as a LOANER, but not a RENTED vehicle. My business insurance is the PRIMARY insurance on the vehicle at all times but there are agreements that can be signed to attempt to have the customers insurance cover it before mine does. However, if anybody calls my insurance to make a claim, it trumps any agreement I may have with the customer.

Edited by Mario
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         13 comments
      Most shop owners would agree that the independent auto repair industry has been too cheap for too long regarding its pricing and labor rates. However, can we keep raising our labor rates and prices until we achieve the profit we desire and need? Is it that simple?
      The first step in achieving your required gross and net profit is understanding your numbers and establishing the correct labor and part margins. The next step is to find your business's inefficiencies that impact high production levels.
      Here are a few things to consider. First, do you have the workflow processes in place that is conducive to high production? What about your shop layout? Do you have all the right tools and equipment? Do you have a continuous training program in place? Are technicians waiting to use a particular scanner or waiting to access information from the shop's workstation computer?
      And lastly, are all the estimates written correctly? Is the labor correct for each job? Are you allowing extra time for rust, older vehicles, labor jobs with no parts included, and the fact that many published labor times are wrong? Let's not forget that perhaps the most significant labor loss is not charging enough labor time for testing, electrical work, and other complicated repairs.  
      Once you have determined the correct labor rate and pricing, review your entire operation. Then, tighten up on all those labor leaks and inefficiencies. Improving production and paying close attention to the labor on each job will add much-needed dollars to your bottom line.
  • Upcoming Events

    • March 24, 2023 01:00 PM Until 09:00 PM
      0  
      Hi all,
      AutoLeap is hosting Amplify 2023, a virtual auto repair conference for shop owners, on March 24. We have 22 incredible speakers, and 13 industry associations and training institutes participating in this virtual event. The conference is free of cost.
      You can book your complimentary, virtual seat today using this link: https://bit.ly/3EXvfWY
      Amplify 2023 speakers include: Joe Marconi, Co-Owner AutoShopOwner and Elite Business Coach @Joe Marconi Aaron Stokes, ShopFix Academy Cecil Bullard, The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence Chris Cotton, AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching Darrin Barney, Elite “G” Jerry Truglia, Automotive Technician Training Services Greg Bunch, Transformers Institute Jeremy O'Neal, AdvisorFix The conference will cover essential topics such as:
      Navigating through the current industry challenges Tackling the technician shortage through employee retention Creating memorable customer experiences Growing & expanding your business in 2023 Financial planning & KPIs to measure And that’s not all.
      The interactive, dynamic conference also offers live networking opportunities, and fun games and prizes.
      You can book your complimentary, virtual seat today using this link: https://bit.ly/3EXvfWY
      #AutoLeapAmplify23
  • Similar Topics

    • By Ruben Van Zenden
      Today, we simply cannot ignore social media, everyone is using it whether you are a fan or not. Personally, I think it has its negative and positive sides. 
      I have been looking at 100+ car repair shops and noticed that only a hand full are using social media marketing, for example, Facebook advertising. 
      Why are so few car repair shops making use of this, in my opinion, great opportunity to increase car count? 
    • By ASOG Podcast
      It's Time To Break Up
    • By Joe Marconi
      When I started my repair shop in 1980, we mainly worked on three car lines: GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Through the decades, technology has dramatically changed the average automobile. Plus, today, we have many more car models to worry about, then add EVs, hybrids, and who knows what else car makers will throw at us.  
      Is it time to rethink our business model?  Can we really be that shop that works on All Makes, All Models?  
    • By Joe Marconi
      When I was in business, each year for 41 years, we experienced a slow down in February. The reasons are many, but by the second week of March, things went back to normal.   
      However, from what I am hearing from some shop owners, they are concerned. They point to riding this wave of business since coming out of COVID, and fear that the wave may become a trickle. 
      What is your opinion?  Good times are still here? Should we be concerned? 


  • By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...