Tricks of the Trade that Rental Car Companies use to Make You Pay More

You’re on summer vacation with your family, visiting your family for Christmas, or perhaps your car is in the shop getting some desperately needed repair work done. You find yourself at a rental car agency and are quietly handed the keys to a burgundy 2001 Toyota Camry. The pain is chipping in places, the gear shift is sticky, the brakes scrub, and you can’t quiet identify the smell. All in all this is not the kind of eventfulness that you had in mind. Well, there is one surefire way to avoid having a negative experience with renting a vehicle and that’s by informing yourself. Recently we asked the experts at Crown Rent-a-Car their recommendations for renting the right car at the right price for you and now we've got the answers that you've been seeking straight from the experts themselves.

The first prerequisite of finding the right rental car for you is finding the right rental car agency and the perfect tool for that is right at your fingertips. Researching online will give you a wider understanding of the rental market in your area as well as possibly introduce you to local or regional agencies that may offer better prices than the national chains. When researching the most affordable rental car options also make sure to check out any customer reviews on sites on Yelp or the Yellow Pages as well as their customer service history on with the Better Business Bureau to gain a better understanding of the quality of their service. But always shop and compare because you never know the deals that you may find.

While you are researching agencies make sure to read the Terms and Conditions as well as any other fine print that they have. Oftentimes the price presented in bold print can become inflated by state taxes, local taxes, drop-off charges, airport surcharges, fuel charges, additional driver fees, insurance costs, or a host of other add-ons that can drastically increase the price of your rental, sometimes even doubling it. The rates advertised may also only pertain to that area’s tourism off season, usually Autumn and Winter, or may only pertain to a certain type of vehicle. One option that is often pushed is optional coverage that they may offer just in case any damage occurs to the vehicle while it is in your possession. These are usually called Collision Damage Waivers or Loss Damage Waives. They’re not trying to scam you but your own car insurance policy may already cover the same types of incidents so do your homework before you show up. So above all else make sure to read the fine print and ask questions before making your purchase to avoid paying more than you need to. Most car rental agencies are upstanding models in their business community, but there are a few bad apples in the bunch.

Another thing that may affect the price of your rental is the one that you are least expecting, and that’s you. Rental agencies more often than not check your driving history before you ever come in (if you called in advance) or while you are at the counter. Prices may be adjusted for anything from charges of reckless driving to seat belt violations and you could be outright denied a vehicle for serious offenses such as leaving the scene of an accident or driving under the influence (DUI). So make sure that you know your own driving history just in case it could come back to haunt you at the rental counter.

At the end of the day the most effective way to avoid getting ripped off at a rental car agency is to educate yourself about the product that your are paying for and the company that you are paying for that product. As a consumer you have the power to do your research and to make an educated and financially sound decision based upon your budget and needs not on what a company dictates.

Here at Crown Rent-a-Car we like to be the exception and not the rule. We've been providing rental car services to both individuals and companies in the Mecklenburg County area and beyond for over a decade. We take pride in caring for our customers and have developed longstanding relationships by providing reliable vehicles, giving customers, quality service, having fair and honest pricing, and providing a personal touch that many of the national or regional rental chains lack. So if you would like a different kind of rental car experience try Crown Rent-a-Car.

Want a Better Rental Car Experience? Try Local!

Rental car agencies are a great resource for a variety of situations that we often face. For instance, say that your parents or in-laws are visiting for the weekend. Instead of cramming several people into your car you can simply rent an SUV. Or perhaps you are moving and are looking for something more economically viable than the average moving service. Rental agencies can often provide large cargo vans or utility trucks that are far more maneuverable and less unwieldy than large trailers and for a fraction of the price as well. Rental car agencies could be useful for hauling in that new refrigerator or washer and dryer set that you just purchased. They can even be used for a little fun, especially during vacations or road trips where your normal vehicle may not have the carrying capacity for everything that you need.

Rental car agencies can also be useful to businesses and other organizations are well. Say you are meeting a client at the airport, arriving in a nice luxury vehicle can project a better business image that arriving in you 2003 Honda Accord. Or perhaps you have to chauffeur clients around town for an evening out. Even nonprofit organizations can find it better to rent vehicles, such as churches traveling for mission trips or youth functions. Or perhaps you are planning an event within your business or community and need vehicles to get everything set up.

There is no doubt that rental cars can be an indispensable tool for both companies and individuals in a wide range of circumstances and when thinking of places to obtain them one’s mind often goes to the large national chains widely featured in media and on the web. But the fact of the matter is that large rental chains often lack the personal commitment to personal service than a locally owned company that consist of your neighbors or fellow church-goers. It’s not that the cars offered by national chains are of inferior quality or that the offers that they can provide are not valuable, but it simply comes down to service. Local merchants of all arenas can often provide a more personable experience than large national or transnational companies and car rentals are no different.

In times past large chains offered benefits that the smaller rental stores couldn't, such as online booking. But the technology gap has narrowed and many locally owned stores have the same digital presence as larger chains allowing you to place a booking well in advance. They often offer the same vehicles are larger companies as well, considering that they are in direct competition with them. The only downsides are that they may be a little more out of the way than a national company and they may have limited drop off points for vehicles since they often don’t have multiple storefronts. But oftentimes they are well worth the hassle as their rates are significantly cheaper. The idea is simple, trade a portion of your time to save some of your hard earned money.

There are a lot of choices in the rental car world in Charlotte but what if you are looking for a local business away from the riff-raff of the large chain stores? Well look no further than CrownRent-a-Car.  Crown Rent-a-Car, like its sister company Crown Auto Sales and Finance, is a subsidiary of AMS Financial Group and is the home grown alternative to the national car rental companies like Hertz and Enterprise. Rent-a-Car has been in business for over 15 years and have become a staple of the Charlotte community.

They offer a full range of vehicles from compact cars to large vans starting at just $20 a day rental fee. If you or your company requires a rental vehicle for longer than a few days Crown actually offers discounted rates as well and you can even keep your vehicle for upwards of a month. All vehicles are guaranteed to be smoke-free and fully fueled as per Crown Rent-a-Car policy as well as maintained, serviced, and cleaned by Crown’s very own team of professional service technicians guaranteeing you a safe and smooth ride. Rent-a-Car expert staff has a combined of nearly 20 years providing outstanding customer service to a range of customers ranging to those who are looking for a luxury vehicle for their honeymoon, to organizations which are orchestrating community functions, to businesses, to groups that are conducting children’s outings. No matter your needs and requirements Crown Rent-a-Car has the vehicle you need and the customer experience you want all at a price which is low enough to keep you smiling.

Need a New Cat? Have $500? We've Got You Covered!

There are few people on Earth that would turn down a new BMW 3 Series or a Mercedes S Class. But for most of us that isn't in the budget. In fact many people struggle to make ends meet. So if you find yourself in a pinch and need transportation without a $10,000 or $15,000 price tag things can become a little difficult. Or perhaps someone at home has just received their license and now you have to foot the bill for their new vehicle, commonly referred to as the proverbial “starter car”. For many of us in this situation a huge price tag is either not preferable or simply unattainable.

Say you are unable to secure financing for a new vehicle as well. Then the nightmares start to sink in. With only a few thousand dollars in your pocket you may have to settle for some old clunker. Something that has been sitting in some stranger’s backyard letting grass grow around it. A bucket of rust that can barely run without sputtering along, leaking oil, puffing black smoke, and getting you a massive 15 miles to the gallon. Worse yet, once you divest yourself on your heard-earned money you will have to save and save more  so that you can divest yourself of your “new” Bondo-covered jalopy and get something that doesn't look like it’s been through the Apocalypse.

First of all, you’re not in a nightmare, and second you do have options. Like Crown Auto Sales and Finance. We have a wide range of vehicles for any budget or taste. And even if you do find yourself in a pinch with only a $1,000 or even $500 to your name we have an extensive range of vehicles that can fit your budget so that you will still find the right vehicle for you. We offer vans, economy cars, mid-size sedans, and a range of other vehicles for as low as $500 down. And unlike Mr. McShady who would love to sale you his rust-colored 1985 El Camino all of our vehicles have been inspected and maintained up to the highest standards by a team of trained automotive technicians and any problems the vehicle may have had previously, as well as all of our repairs and maintenance we have performed to correct them, are easily view-able on the CarFax report that comes with every vehicle. On top of that every vehicle we sell comes with a full warranty that last anywhere from six to thirty-six months.

Better yet even if you have had credit problems in the past and are unable to obtain traditional financing from a bank we can finance you ourselves. Crown Auto Sales and Finance literally is its own bank and can provide you with reasonable financing even if you have less than perfect credit. As long as you can prove that you are now financially stable with your own job and a place to live you can buy from us. Simply provide us with two recent paycheck stubs to prove that you are gainfully employed and give us information pertaining to your current pace of residence and we can get you approved and driving. Even younger adults and first time buyers can purchase from us with no risk of being penalized by us to age or lack of credit history. Even better yet the terms of the financing agreement, payment schedule, ad monthly payments can be adjusted to fit your budget, whatever it may be, and often going for as low as $250 a month. And the best part is that even though your credit may not be perfect now we can help with that as well. We report every successful payment you make to several major credit bureaus. That means that by making your payments with us you are actually helping yourself get back to a better financial path.

So maybe you would like something small and economical like a Honda Civic sedan, or maybe you need something with a little more room like a Chevrolet HHR station wagon, or something even larger for your whole family like a Dodge Caravan. Well we have what you are looking for and all for a small $500 down payment. So stop worrying so much. It’s not as bad as you think because Crown Auto Sales and Finance is here to help. With as little as $500 and 15 minutes of your time we can get you driving again. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call, come stop by, or click here today.

Buying Used Car the Right Way

Crown Auto Sales and Finance is a good used car dealer. We treat our customers fairly and provide them all with terms that they can afford and a reliable pre-owned vehicle to suit their individual needs. But honestly there are other dealers that aren't as reputable as us. That means that you, the consumer, must protect yourself. So here are some basic tips to avoid future heartache.

Don’t Just Inspect The Car, Inspect The Dealer Too!

You may have found the car of your dreams at a price you can afford but before you put your hard earned money down on the table make sure that you research the dealer as well. Check what other people are saying about them. Customer Reviews are a well-known feature on websites such as Yelp and Yellowpages, so they are always a good place to start. But also check their Facebook page and Google as well. Some former customers will have negative things to say and some will have positive, but at any rate it will give you a better understanding of the company that you plan on doing business with. Also check with the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau is a nonprofit, non-partial organization that exists solely to build consumer trust and it allows consumers to report to any issues that they have had with a certain company, as well as that company to respond to those issues. So researching the dealership in which you pa to buy from on the Better Business Bureau will give you a definitive tract record of how they deal with issues concerning the quality, maintenance, warranty coverage, as well as any other issues with their vehicles. In short, while you may have covered the history of the vehicle itself using Carfax or any other vehicle history report will give you an understanding of the quality of vehicle that you are wishing to purchase, researching the company will give you an equal understanding of the kind of people that you are dealing with in the company itself.

Find a Mechanic

Here at Crown Auto Sales and Finance we have a fully-staffed and modern Service Department that repairs, reconditions, maintains, and details every single one of our vehicles before they every reach one of our four dealerships. Also, we will provide nearly any maintenance or repair need that your vehicle may have after you purchase it and drive it home. We also are very upfront in providing detailed vehicle history reports on all of our vehicles to every person who is looking to buy from us. These reports not only show any damage or wear that the vehicle has experienced but also the steps that we as a company have taken in order to assess and repair any problems on the vehicle before it comes out to the lot to be sold to you. But automotive mechanics are like family doctors. Oftentimes there is a level of trust and understanding that comes with years upon years of inter-personal relationships and trust built up by the quality service that they have provided you. So even if the dealership that you plan on buying from, like us, may have inspected, maintained, and repaired the vehicle make sure you have scheduled an appointment with your own personal mechanic and ask the dealership if you can take the vehicle for an extended test drive.  During the test drive go to your mechanic for your scheduled appointment and get the vehicle checked out yourself. This is not to say that the dealership itself hasn't provided a quality vehicle or has service people that do shoddy workmanship but is rather to give you, the customer, the peace of mind that comes with an impartial analysis of the vehicle from a second source. This is to give you peace of mind, after all this will be your vehicle for much longer than you will spend on the lot haggling.

Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

Although we here at Crown Auto Sales and Finance adhere to only the highest standard of customer service, we will readily admit that not all used car dealers are created equal. So don’t let the sales person make you feel pressured into a commitment today. Simply put, if you are not ready then you are not ready. Take your time and find the right vehicle for you. After all at the end of the day it is your money that you will be spending and it will be your car as soon as you drive it off the lot.

At the end of the day invest time, effort, intuition, and common sense into your next car-buying decision and it will take you a long way to getting the vehicle that you both need and want.

The Used Car Industry in 2014

Every industry is influenced by what is happening around it. No business is an island, and the used car business is like any other. In the United States, while we are far and away from the dark economic days of 2007 and 2008 and in a slow recovery, things are still far from certain. Increasing confidence in the economy has lead to increasing levels of spending among the average American consumer. In May 2014 OEM carmakers in Detroit showed record car sales since the end of the recession here in America.  IN May 2014 Ford Motor Company had their best sales month since 2005, General Motors and Toyota had their best sales month since 2008. German luxury auto makers faired even better in the US market with BMW having the highest May sales in their history, along with Porsche and Audi who had their best sales month ever.  All other sectors related to the automotive industry are seeing record profits as well, including gas prices and insurance companies. On top of this the actual transaction amount for new cars rose an unprecedented 2%.

But where does this leave the used car industry? Well the new car industry and the used car industry are like apples and oranges. To understand the current situation of the used car industry you must first understand the last few years of the used car industry. Even during the recession when Detroit was tanking used cars sold very well. People who needed a car, their money already strained, more often than not purchased a used vehicle since it was less expensive. So this was the time to be a used car dealer. However the used car market wasn't getting replenished either since people with newer cars weren’t trading them in as often. The average vehicle on the road in the US today is a staggering 11.5 years old. Obviously at that age it isn’t of any use to most used car dealers. The cost to repair and maintain a vehicle at that age is just too high to be cost effective. Another thing that adversely affected the used car industry was the government Cash For Clunkers program. Cash For Clunkers, started by the Bush Administration during the darkest days of the Recession, paid anyone in cash for any older vehicle that they turned in no matter the condition. Obviously this got rid of a lot of the piles of junk cars here in America, but it took a good number of quality pre-owned vehicles off of the market and into the proverbial recycling bin as well.

So now used cars, and especially quality used cars, are a premium commodity and many used car dealers are struggling to get their inventories up to peak levels while keeping them competitively priced. But there are other things to worry about as well. With the recent safety recalls on massive numbers of vehicles in the United States there is a very real concern that some of the inventory that they currently carry is actually safe to drive. Currently there are no Federal regulations preventing someone from selling a used vehicle that has been recalled, but the demand for that is building. While a few unscrupulous used car dealers simply may not care about selling a recalled vehicle, many more are up in arms about unknowingly purchasing inventory that was faulty and then passing it along to the customers that they care about.

All in all, the situation for used car dealers is not ideal at the moment, but you do have one on your side. Crown Auto Sales and Finance has always and continues to do our utmost to provide the greatest and most diverse number of the highest quality vehicles at the most reasonable price. We only select good quality used cars with clean service histories and no recall issues. Our service team abides by the highest safety standards, whether they are endorsed by the Federal government or not. Every vehicle is inspected, tested, repaired, and maintained by our expert team of service technicians. It is then covered under our comprehensive Auto Sure warranty for anywhere from 6 to 36 months depending on the terms of sale. So if you have a problem with your vehicle that was of no fault of your own it will be repaired by us at no cost to you. Moreover, we have become extremely aggressive in our vehicle procurement process so that we may continue to carry the wide selection of over 100 quality pre-owned vehicles that we always have. No matter how certain or uncertain times may become, you know you can count on us for your next used car.

We’ve Got The Small Car You are Looking For

2014 Chevroet Cruze (photo courtesy of www.chevrolet.com)

America’s love affair with the car is well known. Nothing is more American by definition that a Ford Mustang or a Chevy Silverado. We love our cars to have horsepower and our trucks to be huge. Once you realize that there is an actual pick up reason of the Ford F-650 commercial truck you will realize how true our obsession is. For many years that left the economy car to be the neglected stepchild of the American highway. Until you factor in the last ten years. First the economic downturn of the mid-2000’s left a lot of people with a lot less income to by a fancy sports car or a hulking sport utility vehicle. Even then they had less money to maintain and fuel them as well. The hefty V8s featured in many vehicles are expensive to repair and their notoriously low gas mileage makes them expensive to gas up.  But small compact cars, many of which can be bought for $20,000 or less, are a far more economically viable option than larger vehicles. Plus they aren’t exactly called economy cars for no reason, typically being inexpensive to maintain with their smaller four cylinder engines.

There are other reasons for the surge in interest for compact cars, a chief one being location. The United States, like much of the rest of the world, is becoming increasingly urbanized. Fewer opportunities in rural areas have led many to take to the cities in search of a career or education, and cities are more often than not cramped. Quite frankly when traversing around in modern city maneuverability, and not towing capacity or speed, is king. Another is our perception of cars. Studies show that people under the age of thirty-five are less likely to view cars as a status symbol and more of a utilitarian machine that is needed to transport them. This mindset has caused vast numbers of younger people to eschew larger and more expensive vehicles for smaller and seemingly more practical ones. Furthermore the small car is traditionally not an American specialty. The Big Three in Detroit have usually focused on larger sedans, SUVs, and trucks leaving the apparently unprofitable compact section to European and Asian automakers. These foreign cars, widely known in America for their reliability, have dominated the market here. But within the last few years the demand for smaller vehicles has grown and to paraphrase an old proverb as the money goes so goes the carmakers. Within the last few years both the quality and diversity of both Ford and Chevrolet’s compact lines have grown significantly.

The rise of the economy car has been a long time coming and this is due in large part to the responsiveness of the automotive industry itself. Carmakers have been looking for ways to meet customer demands for over 10 years now. American consumers don’t like cramped vehicles with only the most basic of options. Carmakers have responded by adding in features that were once only found in luxury vehicles and finding ways to create a relatively large, spacious interior within a typically small frame and equipping them with amenities that were once the prevue of large, gas guzzling luxury cars such as heated seats and remote start. As a result compacts and subcompact cars have routinely scored rave reviews from buyers here in the states. Furthermore they are now giving us more options to choose from by producing a wider variety of small vehicles, ranging from sporty hot hatches to eco-friendly electrics.

Automakers aren’t the only ones that are trying to give car buyers what they want either. Car dealers are carrying more and more compacts in order to meet this new found demand and we are no different. Here at Crown Auto Sales and Finance we strive to meet the needs and demands of all of our customers and that includes having a wide range of economy cars in stock. We carry a wide range of affordable and fuel-efficient small cars ranging from sporty Toyota Corollas to super small Chevrolet  Cruzes and everything in between. Our compacts, just like all of our vehicles, have been inspected and serviced by our skilled team of expert mechanics and body specialists before they ever hit the lot for you to test-drive.  Not to mention that they are also guaranteed by our extended service warranty which covers your new car for anywhere from six to thirty-six months depending on the vehicle. So what are you waiting for? Come to us and find your next compact car!

4 Used Car Dealer Scams and How to Avoid Them

To say that there are a lot of used car dealers in Charlotte, North Carolina would be an understatement. A quick search on Google Local bags about fifty results, and it certain that the real world numbers are much higher. Used cars have always been popular here in Charlotte, but even more so in recent years due to the economic downturn when people had less expendable income and lower credit scores. Considering that a well-maintained vehicle with less than one hundred thousand miles on the odometer  that is only a few years old can save a potential buyer two to three thousand dollars when compared to a current model it’s easy to understand the appeal.  But for every used car dealer with a good reputation and customer service record there is another looking to make a quick dollar at the customer’s expense. Here are some things less than honorable used car dealers may do to get over on you, the unsuspecting customer, and of course how to avoid them.

Odometer Fraud

This is in fact the oldest trick in the book. It’s certainly the most widely known but sadly it’s also the probably the most prevalent. With the most basic engineering abilities a unscrupulous car dealer can simply turn back the odometer, making a high-mileage vehicle appear to have much less miles. The benefits to this are obvious. A lower mileage vehicle will on average be of much higher quality and less likely to break down. Obviously this means that a lower mileage vehicle would be worth much more which is obviously the point. The only sure fire way to avoid this is to pull up a detailed CarFax vehicle history report before you decide to buy.

Curbstoning

This is, believe it or not, a fairly common practice. Curbstoning is when a used car dealer will pose as a private individual looking to sell a car that they own, usually to skirt past regulations from the Federal Trade Commission or some other government body. It’s actually become very popular since this practice is fairly easy to do online. While it may seem to be harmless at first glance that fact is that dealers usually do this with cars that they couldn’t sell legally otherwise. This simply means cars that have extensive and costly damage which can be invisible to the uneducated buyer. The result is that you are swindled out of your hard earned money yet again by someone selling an inferior product. The only way to fight this is to yet again obtain a vehicle history report.

Yo-Yo Financing

This scam doesn’t deal with the vehicle at all but rather the way you pay for it, and is targeted at anyone who has bad credit, which many people now do. Yo-Yo Financing is when the salesman convinces you that your credit is approved for a certain amount during the sales process. Days or perhaps even weeks after you have brought your new car home the dealership calls to inform you that your financing didn’t go through and you have to be refinanced at a much higher rate. Oftentimes your previous vehicle will already be sold or scrapped to provide you additional reasoning to keep your new vehicle. The reality is that now you are stuck with a vehicle for several years that you now have to pay an insanely high interest rate on and of course the dealer ends up making money hand over fist. How to avoid this is by simple awareness. Make sure that your financing is completely finalized before you make your purchase, and don’t get sidetracked by any of the salesperson’s parlor tricks.

VIN Cloning

VIN cloning is the replacement of the Vehicle Identification Number on the actual vehicle with another one. Traditionally this was done to cover up the fact that a car was stolen, but more and more dealers are doing this so that they can present a Vehicle History Report of a car that is in better condition and that has lower miles. The way to avoid this all you have to do is simple detective work. The VIN is physically located on a car either on the driver side of the dashboard making it clearly visible through the windshield or on the bottom of the driver’s side door jam. Wherever you find it make sure it matches up with the VIN on the vehicle title, registration, and history report and that it hasn’t been tampered with.

There you have it. These are four common scams that used car dealer try to push on unsuspecting customers and who to avoid them. So no matter where you may go for your next used car here in Charlotte you will be ready and prepared. Or conversely you can come to Crown Auto Sales and Finance, where we always treat our customers fairly. Happy hunting!