Vehicle hire: 5 benefits of choosing an independent firm
Are you planning to hire a car? Why choose a local independent firm? Discover the benefits over using a national company.
You have a trip planned and you need to hire a car – but there are many factors to consider. The first: which firm do you choose?
You begin with a general search on the internet and the names at the top of the list will probably be the large national companies. You've heard of them. You've seen their advertisements and sang their jingles – so one of these would seem to be the obvious choice.
Why look any further and even consider a local independent company?
There are loads of good reasons to choose a small firm over a big brand. Here are five of the best.
1. Local knowledge
Getting to know a new area is all part of the fun of a trip. However, this can lead to a lot of time wasted researching the best places to visit, the best places to stay, the best restaurants and even where to park.
How much easier would it be to have a local guide?
This is where your local independent car hire firm really comes into its own.
Indie firms live and breathe the area they live in. The owners and staff will be oracles of local knowledge.
A satnav may plot a route for you – but only a local will know the best roads to take at rush hour and the ones to avoid. Or, if you're not in a hurry, they can tell you the most scenic route to take and the best pubs or coffee shops to visit along the way.
Case in point: browse through our blogs at MVH Rental and you'll find subjects such as…
- 10 of the best tourist attractions in Sunderland
- 11 must-see sites in the North Pennine's AONB
- Historic attractions in the North East
- The 7 best beaches in the North East
- Hidden gems to visit in Gateshead
You will struggle to find this level of information on a national car hire website. How much better it would be to have a knowledgeable local team that will be happy to discuss these and many more options?
2. More flexibility
When you hire a vehicle from a nationwide company, it will be bound by company policy: a set of guidelines and rules applied to every branch to ensure the same level of service and consistency across the country.
A good local firm will still have policies, procedures and safeguards in place, of course. But it doesn't have the keen eye of Corporate watching its every move.
This means independents can be more flexible than their better known competitors. They can bend the rules – just a little – to make sure you get a great service.
They wouldn't do anything unsafe or illegal, of course. But if you need to change your pickup time, for instance, you can bet that a local firm will be more accommodating than a national one.
This flexibility also extends to simple things like conversation and customer service. With national firms, it often feels like employees are reading from a script. Local firms, for the most part, will talk to you in a more honest, direct and affable way.
3. Competitive rates
While you might assume that national companies can offer the best deals, remember that success comes at a price.
Who pays for the advertising campaigns, the jingle writers, the call centre staff, the large fleet of cars, the mechanics, the large premises, the sales staff? These costs are all passed onto the customer.
Conversely, an independent company will have a much smaller advertising budget, a smaller HQ, a smaller fleet of cars and fewer staff, resulting in savings that can be passed on to the customer.
In fact, if smaller companies were not competitively priced, they would never survive in the shadow of the nationals.
4. No hidden costs or aggressive selling
How many times have you gone out to buy something with a set budget, only to leave with a more expensive option?
Often, salespeople are trained and expected to steer you towards what would be "a much better purchase", or "better suited to your needs". Why?
Because larger companies frequently set sales targets. In fact, many employees are paid a basic salary with sales-dependent bonuses. No wonder they want you to have "the best".
Independent companies would soon gain a bad reputation for employing these tactics.
Their contracts are clear, with all costs detailed and out in the open. No hidden charges to hit you with when you return the car.
They want satisfied customers who will recommend them to friends and return again and again.
So, you can be assured that you will get the car you need, at a price you can afford.
If you want to hire a small car then that is what you will leave with – not a top-of-the-range SUV. (Unless you really want one!)
5. Friendly service from local experts
A local business depends on good customer relations to build its reputation.
As efficient and polite as an employee for a national company can be, a local business needs to make a connection and offer a more personal and friendly service. Its employees need to put customers at ease and forge relationships that will bring them return custom and build word of mouth.
An independent company has to stand out from the crowd. It achieves this by connecting with each individual who comes through its doors, listening to their needs and advising accordingly.
Its genuine interest in promoting the local area, historic sites, places of interest and other local businesses will come through in its enthusiastic response and helpful nature.
For an independent business, it's not about just handing over the keys to a vehicle. It's so much more than that.
Visiting the North East and want to make the most of your trip? When you choose Newcastle car rental from MVH, you can expect friendly, professional service and a whole heap of local expertise. And, of course, we're proudly independent – and have been since day one.
Take a look at our fleet of hire vehicles – or get in touch to discuss your requirements. We're always happy to help.
