Tips on how to make sure you aren't ripped off when hiring a motorhome
Facts you should know before renting a motorhome
There have been a number of websites set up entirely to rip off genuine customers like you. It is very important that you have complete comfort with who you are dealing with as these days anyone can build a simple website and start taking booking deposits.
Over the past few years there have been a number of these rip off's and some very high profile customers have been duped into booking via fake booking sites.
We have assembled this guide not only to give confidence that we are exactly who we say we are, but more so to prevent you from being ripped off if you don't choose to hire from us.
So here is the run down on my top ten ways to check you will pick up that dream motorhome and not have a ruined holiday.
This list has been written based on my own experience of hiring motorhomes in the UK. It is why I started Your Motorhome after all the poor experiences I had to shake up this sleepy industry and provide people like you exactly what they and I expect from a hire company.
It gives you a simple way of checking that the company you may be dealing with is actually as real as the money they are asking you for. I was disappointed to see so many people had lost their deposits and had holidays ruined by these con artists.
It is my simple list to help you though the pitfalls of this emerging industry, and give you the perfect luxury holiday that you expect, without any problems or unwelcome surprises.
Thanks for reading this and please do check who you rent from carefully!
Know your supplier!
There have been a number of websites set up entirely to rip off genuine customers like you. It is very important that you have complete comfort with who you are dealing with as these days anyone can build a simple website and start taking booking deposits.
Over the past few years there have been a number of these rip off's and some very high profile customers have been duped into booking via fake booking sites.
We have assembled this guide not only to give confidence that we are exactly who we say we are, but more so to prevent you from being ripped off if you don't choose to hire from us.
So here is the run down on my top ten ways to check you will pick up that dream motorhome and not have a ruined holiday.
Ask: Are the pictures on the website real?
Why? Anyone can copy pictures from other peoples websites, but only a genuine supplier can show you pictures at their location, if the motorhomes are branded you can be confident they own them!Ask: Are their details found on manufacturers websites?
Why? Check out the UK motorhome manufacturers websites, for example;
www.rollerteammotorhomes.co.uk/index.php/rental-company
See if that supplier appears on their website, if it doesn't ask yourself why? Authorised status gives you confidence the supplier has a relationship with the manufacturer.Ask: Check out their address on Google!
Why? Sounds simple really, but take their postcode from the website and put it in Google, take a look at streetmap and see if it looks like somewhere you would rent a motorhome. Are there any motorhomes visible? If it's an urban office car park, ask why they would locate there and would you be happy with this?Ask: Is this website a third party booking website?
Why? Over the past few years a number of websites have sprung up, often claiming to be the biggest at motorhome rentals, however they own just one or two vehicles and rent out other peoples private motorhomes. This has proven disastrous for many renters and worst of all often the insurance is invalid, only finding out when its too late. Consider very carefully if you are going to do this as you have a third party taking a commission from your booking and possibly not telling you about the booking, try and deal with the end supplier.Ask: How many motorhomes do you have?
Why? Many motorhome hire companies have just a handful of vehicles, its almost a part time hobby for them. So if you rent from these people and something goes wrong, who will be there? Rent from a company with a workforce and fleet able to make your holiday go smoothly in luxury.Ask: How old is the vehicle I am renting?
Why? Motorhome hire is like car hire, you wouldn't want to pick up your rental car from the airport on holiday to find out it is 3 years old with 50000 miles and 100 or more hires already completed. Motorhomes have changed dramatically in the last three years, take advantage of the luxury they now offer, rent from a company that guarantees the maximum age and mileage of a vehicle. Renting modern motorhomes will save you money on fuel, which in turn makes that holiday even better!Ask: Is my motorhome properly equipped?
Why? Some European motorhomes are very poorly equipped, check it has your essentials, some rental companies supply vehicles without an oven or grill, would you be happy with that? I certainly wouldn't! Make sure that everything you need is included, some companies charge for everything from a chair to a sat nav, so check these in full and check what quality they use.Ask: If You say the motorhome is luxury or elite, how can I check?
Why? Many motorhome hire companies are calling very basic entry level motorhomes ‘luxury' or equivalent. Check this out, go to the website of the manufacturer and see for yourself. I have seen motorhomes described as luxury when clearly this is totally untrue. Make sure that when you set off they have the creature comforts you expect. A reputable hire company tells you the quality you expect, honestly!Ask: Can I book a week starting on a midweek date in summer?
Why? Why do motorhome hire companies think they can force someone to start their holiday on a Friday? A considerate hire company will let your hire begin when you want it to, not them. Everyone understands that in the peak times in summer the changeover days may be restricted, but why can't you start you hire on a Monday in June??Ask: What are their collection facilities?
Why? This will be a location you will spend some time getting used to the vehicle, I have heard of motorhome handovers happening in self storage yards, even on the road outside a private house. Great hire companies will cater for your handover with facilities that meet your expectations and somewhere for the children to play whilst you sort out the paperwork.Ask: Do you have a live page of some type, facebook, twitter or similar?
Why? These independent websites are impossible to backdate. So have a look at their pictures and write up, as this will be like a history book on the business, obviously this is not always available, but if they are it can be a great way of learning about the business ethos.Ask: Can I come and have a look around?
Why? Above all else, meeting and greeting the people whose hands you put your hard earned holiday time in gives you the ultimate confidence. You can answer all your worries and even have a cup of tea or coffee whilst you look at the various options available. After all you are going to spend your time in, make sure you get the right vehicle. Check out their service before you hire.
This list has been written based on my own experience of hiring motorhomes in the UK. It is why I started Your Motorhome after all the poor experiences I had to shake up this sleepy industry and provide people like you exactly what they and I expect from a hire company.
It gives you a simple way of checking that the company you may be dealing with is actually as real as the money they are asking you for. I was disappointed to see so many people had lost their deposits and had holidays ruined by these con artists.
It is my simple list to help you though the pitfalls of this emerging industry, and give you the perfect luxury holiday that you expect, without any problems or unwelcome surprises.
Thanks for reading this and please do check who you rent from carefully!
