One of my favourite travel blogs, Travel Rants, has this great section called “Introduce Yourself”. Scrolling through the comments I can see that there have been a fair few people who have done just this.
Remarkably this managed to get the wheels turning in my brain (they were a bit rusty) and it got me thinking about trying something similiar on this blog. It would be a great way to get to know our customers a little better and perhaps learn a thing or too about them. So I would love for you to post a comment introducing yourself and, if you like, tell us something about who you are. To add a bit more fun into the mix I would also encourage you to read the following descriptions and tell us which character best describes you (it is all in the name of research!)…
Are you a Lauren Cooper (from the Catherine Tate Show)?
You are a Lauren Cooper if to you a car is just a car. Renting a car is just a means to an end. It makes no difference what you get as long as it gets you from A to B.
So when the Avis rental agent excitedly informs you that they are handing you the keys to a nice new Fiat Bravo, your response is “Am I bovvered?”
Are you a Forrest Gump?
You are a Forrest Gump if you get excited when you pick up your hire car because you know it could be a Renault Megane, Ford Focus, Peugeot 307 or a Fiat Bravo but you do not know which. You don’t care which one because either way you get to try something different to what is currently sitting on your driveway (although you are secretly hoping it is the Fiat Bravo).
For you, “car rental is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get” (of course I am applying this analogy to finding out what specific make/model you get within a pre-selected car category!).
Are you an Andy Pipken (Little Britain)?
You are an Andy Pipken if it is really important that you get specifically what you want, that the make/model is exactly the one you booked in advance. You want to guarantee that the car you drive is a brand, style and performance of a car that you are comfortable with. For you our Select Series is the only way to go!
So when you pick out the Audi A4 on the Select Series you declare “I want that one!”.
Sorry if the characters aren’t a bit more flattering (but hey it’s just a bit of fun!). I am looking forward to hearing from you!
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I am looking to hire a Diesel, preferably Peugeot 407 or at least Golf size. Aside from the prestige section, is there any way I can be guaranteed a Diesel?
I last booked with a competitor and they gave me a Kia! Yes I know I’m a badge snob!
Hi,
I assume you are talking about a UK rental?
If you book a “Large: Standard Plus” group car, while not guaranteed, you will most likely end up with a diesel.
It would be a 407, Passat, or Vectra, and I have never had anything but a diesel in this group.
Robster, it sounds like you’re an Andy Pipken then!
If you are referring to the UK then there is no car category that allows you to 100% guarantee a diesel on our standard fleet. As Robert has pointed out, most of the “Standard Plus” manual cars (e.g. Peugeot 407 2.0), are diesels but there is a small chance you would get a petrol. On the otherhand, there is a greater chance that you will get a petrol with the “Standard” car category (e.g. Ford Mondeo 1.8) so the category you choose will change your chances of getting a diesel. Alternatively you could book one of Audi A4s on our Select Series. They are 100% diesels. Plus you will know exactly what ‘badge’ you will be getting in advance!!
Thanks for all the replies. Sadly, given that no guarantee can be given without paying for an Audi or indeed travelling to Manchester Airport to pick it up; I have opted for a local reputable non high street chain who can guarantee me a Saab Diesel.
I can not do with this ‘wait and see’ mind set that still exists amongst most High street Car Hire Firms!
Besides the fact that I am travelling in excess of 1500 miles, I like the relaxed driving that Diesel Cars of late provide.
So, thanks again. I may indeed return when matters change.
Regards.
Hi Robster,
We’re continuously increasing the number of diesel in our fleet, and I’m sorry we couldn’t offer you the best solution to meet your requirements.
We launched Select Series to stop the “wait and see” mindset on make and models. Many said it was impossible but we did it anyway
Fair enough that you now challenge us on petrol v. diesel!
What happens if you are a non-smoker who wants to rent a car in England? Can you accommodate that person?
Hi Susie, under the new smoking ban all of our cars are non-smoking.
Rob
agree with Robster, being able to at least voice a preference would be great. this gives you the advanced information on a customer’s preference, and with times where you have a range of cars available, it lets you meet those customers’ wishes…would that be too hard to do? for example, your online booking site does not allow you to state preferences, not even a comment box. Hence I always call the booking line, because the staff there seem to be able to enter a comment… for diesel
and Rob – I’m a definite lover of the A4 s-line, 2.0, diesel, what does that make me?
Great feedback again Isabel. Often these kind of developments are not as straightforward to implement as they might sound. I will look into it though as we’ve had lots of similar feedback on this.
Oh and about your car preference… I believe that makes you an Andy Pipken!