Why Rent with the Independents?
Independent Car Rental companies are much more flexible than large corporate, international chains when it comes to renting a cheap rental car. Independent business people who have a vested interest in making your rental happen make the rules in-house.
There are so many rules in the car rental industry. With the big companies, a committee sets the rules. Staff at the service counter who have no real input in the operational policies and are much less flexible then enforce these rules.
There are many reasons why you should choose an independent agency over one of the big names in the car rental business. You are more likely to be satisfied with your rental when you rent from a locally owned and operated company, than from one of the rental giants. This is because with the smaller companies, you will receive better service and better prices; it is their goal to make you happy. They want you to come back. With a major agency, you run the risk of being over-charged, and becoming one of their many 'face-less' customers.
Top 5 Reasons To Rent From An Independent Agency
- Flexible Rates
- Flexible Regulations
- Cash Deposits (In some instances; this is not always the case)
- Better Customer Service
- Better Vehicle Selection
Following is an in-depth look at the many reasons to rent a cheap car rental with an independent agency and here at Car Rental Express we can put you in touch with the best independent agencies out there.
Policies and Rules are not necessarily set in stone
Independent car rental agencies are more flexible than the large chains since the policies and regulations are made by the people you are dealing with, not the 'head' of the company, often located on the other side of the country. Because you are dealing directly with those that set the rules, you are more likely to be able to take advantage of and resolve most issues without any hassle. The independent agency is concerned about making you, the consumer happy so that you will return for future rentals.
The most common problem when renting a cheap rental car from a major company is negotiating a 'deal' if you are planning to use more than the allotted free mileage. With the majors, it will be next to impossible to get a better deal. However, when renting from an independent agency, you are renting from a business person who is interested in making the rental happen, and will therefore do his or her best to meet your mileage expectations.
Another very important problem is the cash versus credit card phenomenon. Almost all large car rental agencies will not allow cash rentals, and require you to have a credit card. The reason for this is because they do not have the 'time' to do a credit check on the customer and instead rely on the credit card company to do so. Some independent rental agencies however will rent you a cheap rental car with a cash deposit.
Customer Service: You deserve the best!
With a major company that has countless locations across the world, you become a faceless person in a sea of countless customers. With an independent agency, however, you are a very important customer since small businesses rely on the word of mouth. So if you are happy with your rental experience, and you spread the word, they get more business. It is because of this that the independents strive to make you as happy as possible. A recent survey by the Travel Industry Association of America determined that 43% of travel information was collected from a friend or from family referrals. If you are happy then the rental company is happy.
When renting from an independent agency, you are more likely to have your concerns addressed. If you rent from a major chain and have a problem or complaint, it is quite common that this will become lost in a huge complaint pile and perhaps never be looked after. Since small business owners, however, have a vested interest in your happiness, they will do their best to assist you personally.
The Car Rentals Business is highly competitive, and sometimes a personal touch can make all the difference. Most large rental corporations do not rely on individual customers, but rather on big corporations and business travel. Also large chains have a larger clientele, as they have many locations in many different areas. On the other side however, the independent agency will strive to please you, the consumer since they are not a big corporate chain and rely on repeat business from local customers. They want to make you happy so that you will return.
Why Rent From An Independent Agency?
To sum it all up, Independent agencies are locally owned and operated; they have a superior selection of vehicles, more adaptable policies, better discounts and flexible rates, their own rules, and have a hands-on approach. They want to make you happy, and give you the most for your money.