Another business idea!

[WHARTY]

Hi guys and girls some of you may know i have lot's of little ideas for businesses and thought i would share this one to see what people think.

I am not planning on doing it i just want your thoughts.

It's to do with self drive, hiring a van/truck.

I notice that a lot of companies and one man bands have vehicles sitting in yards or driveways at weekends etc.

It's a bit of a waste if those vehicles cant be used, so why don't they hire them out to people moving house etc etc?

Could you build a website that introduced people who want a van for the day to companies that have them available?

Obviously you would need to look at insurance etc but i think it may be a good idea.

In this climate companies are looking for ways to make a little extra so businesses that can offer this service may find it usefull.

As long as the insurance is ok and the vehicle is re fueled it should be a good earner?

I know some vans and trucks are sign written but you could maybe provide magnetic signs to put on the van while on hire?

Could call it we hire any van.com!

Anyways just some fun and something to think about so what you think?

Cheers

Lee

 

I worked in a small Enterprise Agency a number of years ago (pre Smartphones, etc) and there was a guy there who operated a 'manual' version of what you are talking about.

Anytime I ever needed to speak to him, I had to go and stand until he came off the phone (he had 5 sitting lined up on his desk).

He had a list of lorry/van drivers beside him on the wall, and he filled space in empty trailers coming back to NI from the mainland.

I never saw a man so busy every day, and with his cut (his prices were very reasonable btw), he made a small fortune. We used him regularly as our consignments were large but very spurious as far as where they came from or went to.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Known as "backloading" in the trade.As you say quite lucrative.I do know of one company that relies on backloads to stay in business.

 

[sirob]

There is a similar company already called Whipcar. May want to have a look at their FAQ's

 

[WHARTY]

Actually i haven't explained myself properly, i dont mean backloads etc.

Lets just say i am moving house at the weekend and i need a van to do it, i would use a companies van that is listed on the website rather than a self drive company.

For example if DPD or Interlink have listed a couple of vans on the site that are not in use over the weekend then they can hire them out for the day at £30 or £40 for example. (i would drive the van)

Would also work in cases of trucks. A company at christmas or the weekend is really busy and rather than using somebody like "Salford Van Hire" they would go on the site and see what available trucks there are in the area, this would be a company with a truck that isn't using it at the weekend.

Of course you would need to put the magnetic stickers on the sides to cover up details of the company hiring you the vehicle.

Yes it is the same principle as "Whipcar"

So what do you think?

 

[businessfunding]

I can see mileage in the idea, however, like all web-based ideas the challenge is in getting your message out there.

Whipcar got some press coverage, but is still not conceptualy well known.

The key would lie in a big marketing budget!

 

[Malchy Dorris]

Seems a good enough idea on the face of it.

But a few things to think about. Firstly if i needed a van i'd just go to our local sefl drive hire company who are specilists in hiring vans out and have all the experience, back-up and insurance etc. So you'd need to be very well priced to compete.

Secondly you'd need to think about all the common problems that hire compaines have to deal with i.e. break downs, accidents, late returns etc. For example if the company needed their van back Monday morning to go do a job and it was still sitting 200 miles away in an M6 traffic jam or was laying on it's side in some field somewhere it could seriously disrupt their regular business.

 

[WHARTY]

Thinking i could offer my own insurance. If the vehicle is in an accident we would supply the owner with a courtesy vehicle equal to their own.

You could also charge an hourly late fee?

Actually think this could work if insurance and I.D checks can be done properly.

In this climate i think busineses would consider the extra income.

I think it would be cheap for the customer too as they can negotiate the price. Even if you hired it for £20 after share to website if you did it 4 times a month it's an extra £80 a month in your pocket or on your bottom line!

If you took depreciation into consideration too on the vehicle the income could possibly wipe that out.

Just think if it was done properly and marketed right it could be a big contender in the self-drive/hire market?

 

[Malchy Dorris]

So does the van owner only get £20? How long would that hire be for?

 

[MakeMoneyHard com]

I think it's a nice idea, but I really don't think it would work in Denmark, where I live - there are too many rules about insurance and these things.

On the other hand - cars are very expensive here, which is also the reason why quite few bands have a van. Maybe more would be able to have one, if this was possible. Probably worth checking...

 

[WHARTY]

So does the van owner only get £20? How long would that hire be for?

That was just an example but i have a van that i only use 3 times a week and if i could hire it out and get say £30 per day twice a week i would be very happy. It would pay my finance!

Probably would set a limit on mileage but if it's local people moving house it shouldn't be too much miles on the clock unless they are going to the other end of the country!

I would pay £30 for a days rental and i would be happy to recieve £30 for the day too.

 

[WHARTY]

Been looking on the internet and can't find anything remotely close that does what i am suggesting with vans and trucks.

I think it would work and £30 in my pocket a few days a week would be very nice!

Thanks

 

I think insurance would be an issue, plus who would lend/hire their van out to someone else who may not look after it as meticulously as they might themselves?

I know someone locally who used to rent out vans/trucks on a daily/weekly basis, and he got them back in some really shocking states.

Ex-rentals are notoriously in bad condition because people just don't care enough about other people's property.

The idea is sound though, but the killer will be in the detail.

 

[JamieM]

You can't offer your own insurance without setting up an insurance company. Did you think about what would happen if an at fault driver wrote off a Ferrari? Or killed someone?

I don't think it will work. If the insurance was even achievable the cost would be far greater than a self drive hire company so you wouldn't be able to compete. And that's not to mention the cut you would need to make on top.

There is also the issue that many vans will have equipment in them so availability may not be as widespread as you think. Plus they might not be well looked after.

In my opinion there is too much lack of control. It's a bit different to cars.

 

[WHARTY]

From the sounds of it most of you think it's a good idea however the big stumbling block is the insurance issue and people damaging vehicles.

I know Whipcars use Lloyds of London so obviously it can be done.

With regards to damage i think that because you would be dealing face to face with the owner the person that is hiring the van may take more care of it?

With the big hire companies you don't always get the personal touch and generally if a vehicle isn't looked after the next person to use it may not care to much either.

I am sure some sort of review system could be put in place too so you know what kind of person will rent your vehicle?

Only thoughts and appreciate the feedback good or bad.

 

[Kilo-Foxtrot]

I think the insurance costs would make it prohibitively expensive, but if you hired them to other businesses who could then use their own insurance, it might be possible?

 

[Banned]

Wharty, phone an insurance company and find out. It'll only take a few minutes (ok, maybe more) but sort the issue once and for all rather than all this speculation.

Bar that it seems a fine idea, providing people don't keep pinching the vans.

Have a look here as a starting point http://www.insuredaily.co.uk/

 

[S-Marketing]

It's not just insurance, there are loads of reasons why the idea wouldn't work.

I wouldn't let anyone I didn't know or employ drive one of my vans, and certainly not for 30 quid.

 

[Banned]

It's not just insurance, there are loads of reasons why the idea wouldn't work.

I wouldn't let anyone I didn't know or employ drive one of my vans, and certainly not for 30 quid.

What, you mean you wouldn't put your entire business on the line for an extra thirty notes over the weekend? What's wrong with you man.

 

[TheGuru2010]

To be honest this sounds great in theory, you are missing a good few points that you need to consider.

1. What happens when the van is written off & you cant work for the 3 days per week?
2. How will you vet your hirer.
3. The vehicle will not be looked after as they know you are not a proper company.
4. You will need Self Drive Hire Insurance (Not Cheap).

All in all i dont think it will move forward, A Volkswagen caddy is only £45.00 to hire from one of the major companies in vehicle hire. Alot of risk for not alot of money when you consider that the van in question is also responsible for your income overall

 

[WHARTY]

I think the insurance costs would make it prohibitively expensive, but if you hired them to other businesses who could then use their own insurance, it might be possible?

Yes this is something i was thinking of too.

I know from speaking to a friend of mine last night that when they hire in a truck they use their own insurance when they are using it.

So what could happen is at the weekend when a company has a bit of extra work and they need an extra vehicle they could go on a website and source a vehicle suitable for their needs. They would then use their own insurance.

My mate told me that it can be difficult sometimes to get something on hire suitable for their needs especially at the weekend and over the christmas periods so he would consider something of this ilk.

He said a number of hauliers he knows are also hiring vehicles and using agency staff rather than taking on the commitments of owning vehicles and employing people full-time and this may be contributing to difficulty in getting hire vehicles.

I am also thinking a comparison site for self drive companies to advertise their vehicles on could be a good idea too? a one stop shop for people to find a hire vehicle? Would make it real easy for a consumer to find a vehicle at the right price without trawling through various sites and getting quotes.

I also know a few truck drivers who have their own truck and every now and then they may be asked to do a bit of extra work that needs an extra truck. I think this service along with an agency driver would mean they can take the work on and not have to refuse it or pass it on to another company?

 

[WHARTY]

Yes this is something i was thinking of too.

I know from speaking to a friend of mine last night that when they hire in a truck they use their own insurance when they are using it.

So what could happen is at the weekend when a company has a bit of extra work and they need an extra vehicle they could go on a website and source a vehicle suitable for their needs. They would then use their own insurance.

My mate told me that it can be difficult sometimes to get something on hire suitable for their needs especially at the weekend and over the christmas periods so he would consider something of this ilk.

He said a number of hauliers he knows are also hiring vehicles and using agency staff rather than taking on the commitments of owning vehicles and employing people full-time and this may be contributing to difficulty in getting hire vehicles.

I am also thinking a comparison site for self drive companies to advertise their vehicles on could be a good idea too? a one stop shop for people to find a hire vehicle? Would make it real easy for a consumer to find a vehicle at the right price without trawling through various sites and getting quotes.

I also know a few truck drivers who have their own truck and every now and then they may be asked to do a bit of extra work that needs an extra truck. I think this service along with an agency driver would mean they can take the work on and not have to refuse it or pass it on to another company?

Scratch this : I am also thinking a comparison site for self drive companies to advertise their vehicles on could be a good idea too? a one stop shop for people to find a hire vehicle? Would make it real easy for a consumer to find a vehicle at the right price without trawling through various sites and getting quotes.

It's already being done.

 

[Banned]

Scratch this : I am also thinking a comparison site for self drive companies to advertise their vehicles on could be a good idea too? a one stop shop for people to find a hire vehicle? Would make it real easy for a consumer to find a vehicle at the right price without trawling through various sites and getting quotes.

It's already being done.

http://www.5th-gear.net/

 

[WHARTY]

http://www.5th-gear.net/

Yea i have noticed a few now too.

I think this may only be an idea that would work where it's B2B so the business that hires the vehicle from the other business can use it's own insurance?