hirebuddies Forums

Riggy

i remember on the old forum that there was a posting about a company called Hirebuddies .

has anyone had anything to do with this company and what was the service like.

im thinking of hiring out our motorhome but before i do i want some sort of feedback from anyone who signed up with them.

all the best

Riggy

hymmi

Hi Riggy,

i saw that i don't think anyone had any dealing's with them,they did say you had to put money up front,£90 i think,with no guarantee's.Also you have no control over who hire's it.

I saw them at Peterboro show the stand was empty.

If you want to hire it out, why not do it yourself with local adds,you will soon get known.

Riggy

hello hymmi

i was just testing the water to see what the company was like, because when it was on the old forum, i think there was a couple of people who had signed up with them.

i cant get out in ours every week, so with it being a 6 berth, i would think it would be good rental stock.

but i might have a go at renting it out myself, if hirebuddies looks like a waste of time.

maybe this will re-open the debate and refresh peoples minds

any thoughts welcome

cheers

Neil

johnsandywhite

Hi Riggy. This may not be the one, but it seems quite reasonable:-

http://www.private-leisure-hire.co.uk/index2.html

Riggy

has anyone used such companys, and what service did you get from them.

devonexile

Hi All,
I joined Hirebuddies 2 months ago, the cost up front was £99 for a years membership. They do not give any guarantees but they do supply you with a decent range of literature, stickers, copy ads etc to give a helping hand with local marketing. They have been very helpful so far! I have 1 confirmed booking in June already so personally speaking I am happy so far! I wanted to find a way to make my van more affordable & hiring it out seemed a good idea. Deposits are taken, and they arrange the insurance which I might add is expensive if you wish to hire your van out on your own. I have a Swift Sundance 590RS which is nearly a year old, I am 40 with a clean licence but only 1 years no-claims & was quoted £2500 a year for hiring it out as the insurance people see you as a business, not as an individual who is trying to save some money!
Hope this helps!

Best wishes

Tony

Riggy

thanks for the info devonexile

i now own a CI Riviera 141 its a 6 berth and a good size for a family.

i too am looking for a way to cover some of the running costs that it takes to run a motorhome every year.

can tell me how much you charged the people

if you dont want it public then send me a PM and we will keep it a secret. (thats if you dont mind )

and who sets the price you or Hirebuddies.

cheers

overthehill

I would not do this for a number of reasons although obviously this is a personal opinion.
First of all, do your sums properly. As already stated, insurance for this use is very expensive. The excess may be high too. Who is responsible for ensuring that your van is roadworthy and safe? How much will this cost? And who cleans out the mess when it comes back having had a pet c*** on the seats or vomit in the bathroom..... or petty breakages? You may THINK you are renting out to a nice middle aged couple but how do you know they are not handing it over to their 20 year old son and his mates?
Finally, your income is taxable, if you don't declare it there is always a risk that you will be caught - the Inland Revenue are constantly on the look out for this.
I looked into it briefly, not with the firm mentioned but another, all the risk and expenses (apart from marketing) were mine and their commission was 50% so it simply wasn't viable financially.

overthehill

Detourer

Hi

Firstly I should declare an interest: I am in the Mhome Hire/Tour business (but regulars already know that)

Good idea if you do your sums and are happy with that. BUT, insurance is an issue. You can't just keep ringing up your broker to add and cancel extra drivers. They will soon work out what you are doing. You ARE in the "Hire and Reward" area........very expensive.

Be very aware of damage........interior mostly. I am amazed, and dread to think, what must go on in hire Mhomes. How do tables get stood on/ripped off the wall. Burnt fabric. Doors pulled off. Windows broken (yes!) etc etc etc. Prep/service time is a factor. We allow a min of 4/6 hours turn around just for cleaning..............repairs extra.

Be mindfull of ill-intensions i.e. Theft of vehicles.... You hire it in the UK and it gets wizzed off to some distant land. Client "don't know nothin'". One of ours found its way to Sicily......stolen while the client was tucked up in a hotel in France. Yeh right, hire a Mhome and stay in a hotel......first mistake!

More stories that would make your hair curl but it would look anti-enterprise.......and i'm not........go for it if it's good for you.

Ray

PS......Spell checker????

Riggy

thanks ray for the input

i knew that there would be some scary stories out there,too many to mention here,but there must be a good side to it as well.

insurance has always been an issue ive been aware of, thats why the hire/loan companys for motorhomes sound a good idea.

its something to look into for sure,

not sure if i would get put off by the first scratch on the side...suppose i would have to go through that to see how i would feel.

cheers