The lowdown on ‘Specials’
Smoke and Mirrors …
Now, everyone likes to present themselves as being competitive when advertising their wares and Applewood Vehicle Finance are no different. But one thing you won’t find Applewood marketing are vehicles that don’t actually exist at the rentals advertised. For example:
- not including metallic paint in the advertised rate when the only vehicles available at that rate are finished in metallic paint
- the vehicles that are available have a list of options as long as your arm which is going to add considerably to the rental
- you find out that you’ll be waiting 6 months for the vehicle and there is no price protection being offered
- We’ve come across some of our competitors charging extra for Metallic Paint even when it is provided as standard on some models!
If it looks too good to be true …
- We don’t know about you, but we believe it’s underhand to take a deposit in addition to Advance Rentals
- The stock of vehicles at the advertised rate have all sold out - amazingly there are some others, or something else, at a bit more money
- How many of us really only drive 5,000 miles per annum? Very few is surely the truth
- Q: What is the purpose of Admin and Doc Fees? A: Hidden profit. There is no excuse for a Contract Hire Agreement to be subject to these
- ‘No mileage limit’ is being advertised as a feature? Ask who’s taking the risk on the Residual Value. We’ll save you the time; the answer is you. Do your homework and find out if the risk is too high. If this is the case then walk away - if you don’t you’ll be putting your hand very deeply into your pocket somewhere down the line.
All of the above doesn’t cover everything, but it might illustrate that it’s still worth asking “where’s the catch?”
No matter where you go the vehicle you order should be the same - any significant difference in rental is nearly always because of the terms in the contract you are being asked to sign and the level of support, or lack of it, when you need it.