Would You Use This Service

[Mwebb]

I have been a member here for a few years now, and am looking at the possibility of launching a new business. It's something I have been considering for a while now, and have been planning out. [This is partly due to the fact my main employment is as a mortgage broker....which is fun?]

I am in the process of evaluating whether to set the following business up. As part of the market research for this, I have in effect established a company profile, including website, and are looking to get feed back from potential clients on whether they would buy the service, and whether the pricing is acceptable.

www.troublefreetransfers.co.uk is the website.

We are interested to have feedback on the business model only. On whether you think the product is a good idea, and whether as a consumer, or business user, you would use this service. As long as it is constructive, and honest, I am willing to listen.

[it is also important to note some of the partnerships with certain businesses that are mentioned on the site, are to be confirmed...by this I refer to the golf days-they may end up being at different locations, but for this purpose, I have used the course I play at]


[[Please note we are not reinventing the wheel here guys, it is a basic service, that we have added some USP's to]]

Please do not give us any feedback on the website [Or logo, which is still being worked on]. It is not 100% finished by any stretch of the imagination, and we are more than aware it is a joomla template.
[We are keeping costs to an absolute minimum, because at present we are not sure if this will go ahead-It is still in the research stage]

The copy writing is a work in progress, as is the layout, seo, and everything else website related. Before we put this "live" to the public there is still a lot of work to do.

Many thanks

Michael

NB: particularly interested in feedback from people in the North Essex, South Suffolk region

 

[stevon]

Don't know if it's just me but if I wanted to pay money for a chauffeur rather than a taxi I wouldn't want driven around in a Ford...

Depends on your location but taxi's in Aberdeen range from BMW 5 series to Mercedes C/E class to Bentleys... Of course you get your 406s and Vectras - but a Ford Galaxy isn't exactly luxuary is it? Perhaps Range Rovers (maybe not with that road tax), or Merc A Classes, or... X5s? Or... Porsche 4x4s? I dunno, but personally I would just get in a taxi as opposed to booking a Ford in advance.

 

[Mwebb]

We looked at several options for prestige cars. The costs are far more expensive, and then you have to increase the prices to cover increased expenditure. Also, there are limited options when looking at MPV's. Mercedes Viano being about the only prestige 7 seater.

Our costs would be similar to an ordinary taxi. That is where we have pitched them, just with added USP's and service levels.

We are looking only at long distance transfers, so not your 10 min drive into town. We are also looking into days out etc.

If that isn't coming accross in the copy, then it is something we need to assess. thank you.

Michael

 

[StarFly]

As my brother has a Private Hire Taxi firm, I know that airport runs in a taxi can be pricey, with a seven or nine seater being similar prices to yours, so I don't question the price. Ford - ehm, not so sure. I can see your point about the Galaxy being a nice car, they are indeed, but it's not luxury and anyone hiring a driver for the day for corporate or pleasure, would perhaps expect 'luxury'. Perhaps the Chrysler Voyager (Grande Voyager) would be abit more upmarket without pushing the costs much higher?

EDIT: I know you didn't want comments about your website, but, when you do get round to it; rather than a static photo of a Ford Galaxy, how about some photos of happy customers (business people etc.,) inside the vehicle, around it, loading shopping into it, thanking the driver (who looks very smart in his/her suit and tie), and generally using the Service.

 

[Mwebb]

I did look at the Voyager first. Hence the image still on the site. Only issue is that the affordable ones are old models. The new shape ones look terrible, and are £10k more than a galaxy.

The Galaxy will be fully kitted out with leather interior, DVD's, and Sat Nav. And be top of the range. I fully understand that doesn't remove the fact it is a Ford!

As I will at first be the only driver, it comes down to sacrificing some clients to start with, and then moving into having prestige 4X4's as options, and S class Mercs etc [The latter being more likely to be requested for corporate travel]

If you look at airportcarz.com I think they only use low spec Galaxy's; as do several other airport transfer companies accross the UK. Just an observation really, that clients don't seem to shy away from these successful brands due to their use of Ford vehicles.

Thanks for the comments. Will be bearing it all in mind over the coming weeks.

Michael

Edit: Correspondance with Ling from the forum has also put me off of the Chrysler...

 

[StarFly]

I did look at the Voyager first... The new shape ones look terrible, and are £10k more than a galaxy.... Correspondance with Ling from the forum has also put me off of the Chrysler...

What a silly idea I had - whoever thought the Chrysler was a good idea. What a silly baffoon I am, tut tut, shame on me.



But seriously, a friend of mine has a new Galaxy and they are quite nice, and he has had Voyagers in the past but this time preferred the Galaxy...

 

[thedesigntailor]

No - Only because I don't understand how your cars are different to a normal taxi.

Can you explain?

 

[thedesigntailor]

Actually - Just read it better.
Some great ideas.

Did you say that the prices are similar to a normal taxi?

If so I would sell it as a normal airport taxi with extras rather than a premium service. The reason for this is I would expect the costs to be wildy different. If they aren't may be just a few quid difference then of course I would use you!

I would suggest selling the deals as packages - IE -

Transfer to Gatwick
*Wireless Internet
(and laptop if you need!)
*DVD player on board
*PSP on board
Just £***
(thats only £10 more than a standard cab)

Add on...
Champagne £45
Welcome home basket £45
(Bread milk...etc)
A Subway Meal £*

 

[Mwebb]

Yes I have worked out my profit margins on the prices very similar to prices of the local taxi firms.

The idea is that basically, it doesn't cost much extra to provide wireless mobile internet [£35 per month, with free laptop from carphonewarehouse], or plug a PS2 into the DVD system.

The only extra cost is the vehicle, which is slightly more expensive to buy than say 2/3 year old vectra/mondeo etc Or even a basic 2/3 year old Galaxy Zetec.

I'm liking the idea of pitching it against the lower end stuff to start with. IE Same price, but so much more!

I have also been debating the issue of having the car sign written. It will be a massive advert, but then lowers the value for corporate clients, as they will not want their business associates to know they are using a taxi.

The decision on this is that I will have it sign written, and then initially partner with a couple of local firms. I can then sub contract out the business to them, and they can provide, S classes, Jaguars etc. They can then pass over business to myself in return, and we each take a "booking" fee for referring the business. [Say 10%]

Once we are more established, I can decide whether to expand the fleet of Galaxy's or purchase different vehicles to provide a different level of service.

Michael

 

[willitbe]

Is the pic on the website not a Voyager?....

Sorry read the post fully....

 

[Mister B]

I like the sound of it myself but I think that you are in danger of falling in between two camps: The posh taxi and the corporate chauffeur. IMHO you need to target one.

That being said, only other observations that I would have are as follows:

1. Subway snacks don't exactly float my boat and thinking about the market that you are potentially going for, I don't think that your clients will either.
2. Note your comments about good drivers, but why not go one step further and ensure that all of your drivers are AIM trained. Sure, it's a hassle to do but it's quite a unique selling point. Vaild as well.
3. Why stop at the airports? Look at the cruise market...people going off for a month at a time are more likely to use your service. Your not a million miles from Southampton or Dover and could generate some good business from affluent customers.

Just my thoughts!

Mister B

 

[willitbe]

One thing that troubles me though, you are at the mercy of traffic congestion as much as everyone else, how could you avoid that?

 

[Mwebb]

3. Why stop at the airports? Look at the cruise market...people going off for a month at a time are more likely to use your service. Your not a million miles from Southampton or Dover and could generate some good business from affluent customers.

Just my thoughts!

Mister B

Although at present there isn't anything in the copy regarding this-A glaring error, thank you for pointing that out; it is well within our thoughts. Please check the prices page for details.

You are right, that those going away for longer, will not want to leave their car in the car park that long.

It is also important to note that when pricing our services for the airport, we have taken into account how much it would cost to drive from the destinations, and park the car based on a 2 week holiday. We are only about £10 more than that option.

 

[Mwebb]

One thing that troubles me though, you are at the mercy of traffic congestion as much as everyone else, how could you avoid that?

You can't other than to plan, and use Sat Nav with traffic master etc. Obviously when we get round to T and C's they will state we are at the mercy of this, and hold no liability for loss incurred from events outside of our control.

 

[thedesigntailor]

I think it would work but will need very careful positioning.

A campaign aiming at secretaries that plan trips for their bosses would be an idea - perhaps offering a box of chocolates for them when booking?
"Treat you boss to the best transport and we'll treat you with some yummy chocolates!"

Whaddya think?

 

[Mwebb]

I think it would work but will need very careful positioning.

A campaign aiming at secretaries that plan trips for their bosses would be an idea - perhaps offering a box of chocolates for them when booking?
"Treat you boss to the best transport and we'll treat you with some yummy chocolates!"

Whaddya think?

I think some form of referral system will work well. Recommendations are always powerful, so being able to give incentive to recommend, is a good thing.

I'm not sure after todays developments, that corporate business is going to be where my major business is going to come from.

I think I will be looking at the "private" sector majoritively to start with.

I think partnering with some hotels will be positive, and getting them to book in our services when they take a booking form abroad. Looking at cost per acquisition on business, paying them a commission for a booking will probably work out better than random advertising in yellow pages, flyers etc.

I have started another thread regarding the marketing of this business, as I am creating the marketing plan over the next few days. So feel free to head over to the marketing section and help me out a bit.

michael

 

[thekitchendesigner]

Just a thought about the wireless internet bit if its a USP- these can be very tempromental when on the move, i.e. being driven in a car.

If you're static, they can be good, but on the move can be just as fickle as a phone signal!

 

[Fuzzy]

I used an airport transfer company when I went to Gatwick, great service and would use again

 

[templarmc]

Hey there

Sorry missed your post - been off forums for a while - but feel free to PM to discuss this in more detail.

Forgive me if any of this has been covered before.

1) Why does your front pic show a Voyager two models previous, if you're using a Galaxy? The new G is a nice vehicle, and the new facelift Voyager isn't as good as it's predecessor, but they're the puppies's parts if you're going after the group transport solution.

2) It's one thing to offer a range of services, but what exactly is your core market/service? For the purpose of the question, let's say some local gangster turns up at your door and warns you off work, but you can either take one demographic or do one service. Which would it be?

Would it be the executive chauffeur service?

Would you aim for one type of client?

Would you stick with the airports?

Would you do the nights out?

I think on the whole, you've clearly thought all this through and impressed with your scope and concept. However, my biggest warning would be you could diversify too much. Airports per se - corporate or not - are not lucrative in the long run given you're not in control of the job, plus you tend to have a 'pinch point' in only having one vehicle.

Anyways, drop me a PM and would be happy to discuss further and help all I can - constructive criticism a speciality!

 

[Mwebb]

Just a thought about the wireless internet bit if its a USP- these can be very tempromental when on the move, i.e. being driven in a car.

If you're static, they can be good, but on the move can be just as fickle as a phone signal!

Yeah I did have this thought. I would be looking at making it clear that the service is on offer subject to network coverage. I think most phone signals in our area have good coverage nowadays however.