Showing posts with label charlotte nc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charlotte nc. Show all posts

Monday, October 20, 2014

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.
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Monday, August 11, 2014

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.


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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Easiest Place to Get Approved for A Car in Charlotte North Carolina with Little to No Money Down - Crown Auto Sales and Finance - used car superstore


Bad Credit? Getting Approved for a New Car Loan Has Become Easier

by James M. Flammangon 03.13.2012 01:42
Car-buyers with marginal credit records are doing a bit better at paying back their loans, and keeping the repo man away. At the same time, more customers with Subprime credit are getting financed nowadays: 41.5 percent of the total, versus a low point of 36.4 percent in 2009.
Those are a few of the results for the final quarter of 2011, as assessed by Experian Automotive. Credit continues to “loosen” on loan originations, said Melinda Zabritski, director of automotive credit for Experian, during her quarterly report on financing trends.
Zabritski noted that average credit scores of car-buying customers have declined since 2009, suggesting lower creditworthiness. Even so, average finance rates charged for credit have fallen in the past year: from 4.8 percent for a new vehicle in 2010 to 4.5 percent in late 2011. Rates for used vehicles, on the other hand, have dropped only slightly in that same time frame. 
Experian divides car-buyers with open loans into five categories: Super Prime (folks with the best credit rating), Prime, Nonprime, Subprime, and Deep Subprime. Those in the latter category are the ones who find it hardest to secure a loan in the first place. Looking at risk distribution of all open auto loans, Zabritski found that the number with Deep Subprime credit has dropped: from 15.3 percent in 2009 to 12.6 percent in late 2011. At the other end of the scale, slightly more people with auto loans had Super Prime credit: 38.8 percent (up from 38.1 percent).
Not as many of those debtors are delinquent with their payments, either. Two years ago, 3.3 percent of auto loans were 30 to 59 days behind with payments. By late 2011, that figure for 30-day delinquencies dipped to 2.79 percent. For loans issued by finance companies rather than banks or credit unions, delinquencies are greater but also down: from 6.45 percent in 2009 to 5.35 percent in late 2011. The proportion of 60-day delinquencies also has dropped, from 0.94 percent in 2009 to 0.72 percent in 2011. Zabritski credits the reduced level of auto-loan delinquencies to “such tight originations after 2008,” when the financial crisis developed. “We’re certainly benefiting from that” now, she added.
Repossessions have shrunk too, from 0.71 percent of loans in 2009 to 0.3 percent in 2011.
For finance-company loans, the proportion of repos was 2.47 percent in 2011, versus 2.59 percent a year earlier.
In 2007, leasing accounted for 22.5 percent of new-vehicle financing. A year later, barely 19 percent of financing went to leases. Today, the figure tops 23 percent–but that’s lower than it was in 2010.
New vehicles account for 37.4 percent of vehicle financing, while 62.6 percent of financing goes to used models. Not quite as many people are paying cash for either new or used cars as they were a year earlier.
So, how much are we financing these days? The average is $26,419 for a new vehicle and $17,404 for a used one. Those figures compare to $25,789 (new) and $16,992 (used) a year earlier. So, car prices really have been going up. Average monthly payments are up slightly, to $468 for a new-vehicle loan and $349 for a used-vehicle contract.

Check out http://www.BuyatCrown.com to get approved for a vehicle today.  The vehicle you want and a price you can't deny.


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Friday, December 21, 2012

Car and Driver Magazine its worth the Subscription


Car and Driver (sometimes abbreviated C/D) is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million.[2] It is owned byHearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011. Originally headquartered in New York City, the magazine has been based in Ann Arbor, Michigan since the late 1970s.

 Car and Driver was founded as Sports Cars Illustrated in 1955. In its early years, the magazine focused primarily on small, imported sports cars. In 1961, editor Karl Ludvigsen renamed the magazine Car and Driver to show a more general automotive focus. 2005 marked the 50th anniversary of Car and Driver .

 Car and Driver once featured Bruce McCall, Jean Shepherd, Dick Smothers, and Brock Yatesas columnists, and PJ O'Rourke as a frequent contributor. Former editors include William Jeanes and David E. Davis, the latter of whom led some employees to defect in order to createAutomobile Magazine.
http://www.BuyatCrown.com

 http://www.caranddriver.com

 http://www.carlotfinance.com

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