Doctors and Rental Cars

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Obtaining and Making the Most of an Upgrade

[By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA]

[By Nalley Lexus Roswell, GA]

Dr David E Marcinko MBADoctors and other medical professionals typically rent automobiles; and frequently.

When you rent a car, the rental company will normally have a range of different types available, each priced according to the size and class of car.

While you will almost certainly have booked one class of car, very often the rental company will be in a position to offer you a free upgrade to a larger or more luxurious model.

The Upgrade

So how do you increase your chances of getting a free vehicle upgrade? Here are some ideas:.

  1. Use the same office

If you regularly hire cars, try to make a point of using the same company. If you use a local office (or the same rental office) then the staff members will probably start to recognize you, which might increase your chances of being offered a free upgrade. The car rental business is very competitive, especially in certain locations, so these businesses will be looking to find ways to please you.

  1. Get to the office early

While car rental offices are turning over a number of cars throughout the day, most cars will be returned between the hours of 9 a.m. and midday. If you get to the office early, the staff members may actually have a shortage of cars in the class that you have ordered, which could force them to offer you something larger or more luxurious.

  1. Join loyalty schemes

Some car rental companies have loyalty schemes or member’s clubs, where you may be offered special deals. In exchange for a few personal details, you will receive regular mailings about discounts and offers, some of which will include a free upgrade if you fulfill certain conditions. Even if there is no offer in place, make sure the staff members know that you’re a member of the scheme, as it may just sway their opinion.

  1. Use the personal touch

The way in which you interact with the office personnel may influence the likelihood that you will get a free upgrade. Bear in mind that staff members deal with hundreds of people every day. Somebody that smiles and is patient and friendly is much more likely to be welcome in the office and may be rewarded. Chat with the staff member dealing with you and, if necessary, show your interest in one of the larger, more luxurious cars. It might just sway them in your favor!

  1. Choose a popular model

When you make a reservation, make a point of talking to the office directly so that you can use the staff member’s local knowledge. Ask the office which class or type of car is the most popular and then book that one. That way, there is a higher likelihood that the office will be out of stock when you arrive.

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[Classic Jaguar XJ-V8 Luxury Touring Sedan]

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Assessment

In all cases, be aware that many offices will try and push an upgrade charge on you, which may range from $5 upwards per day. Don’t be bullied into accepting this charge!

Conclusion

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Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

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3 Responses

  1. A Fan,

    Dr. Marcinko – I am a jaguar auto fan of last generation models. But, did you know that for the month of October, Jaguar decreased 34 percent on low availability of its volume leader XF sedan.

    Year to date, Jaguar is down 8 percent off of significantly-increased 2013 sales pace. Jaguar F-TYPE sales through 10 months have increased 78 percent with the coupe and convertible sales totaling 3,287 units compared to 1,843 units through October, 2013.

    The 2015 Jaguar line-up features four models: The Jaguar XJ luxury sedan, powered by a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 in rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive configuration, a 470-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 or a 550-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the XJR model.

    The Jaguar XF sports sedan powered by a 240-hp turbocharged four cylinder engine, a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations, a 470-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8, a 510-hp Supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the XFR, and a 550-hp Supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the XFR-S.

    The XK coupe and convertible grand touring models are powered by either a 385-hp 5.0 liter V8 or a 510-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the XKR. Jaguar also offers the Jaguar XKR-S coupe and convertible with a 550-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8. Joining the 2015 F-TYPE line-up is the new F-TYPE Coupe powered by either a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6, a 380-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 in the F-TYPE S Coupe, or a 550-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the F-TYPE R Coupe.

    The F-TYPE convertible will remain available with three engine variants, a 340-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6, a 380-hp supercharged 3.0 liter V6 in the F-TYPE S convertible, or a 495-hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 in the F-TYPE V8 S convertible model.

    A Jaguar Guy

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  2. Auto Leasing

    The decision of whether to lease or purchase your new vehicle is one of the most important choices for car-shoppers to make. There are many important differences between the two which can help you make your choice. This guide highlights some of the most notable aspects.

    Monthly Payments:

    Monthly lease payments are always lower than they would be if you purchased the vehicle. That’s because you only have to pay for the vehicle’s depreciation and additional rent charges. The depreciation estimate is based on the assumption of a certain amount of miles per year and proper maintenance of the vehicle itself.

    Sales Tax:

    Typically, drivers who lease a vehicle will only pay sales or use tax on their monthly payments and any capitalized cost reduction. This means less sales tax paid over a longer period. When purchasing a vehicle, sales tax is paid on the full purchase price (although the value of your trade-in is often excluded from this amount).

    Who Owns the Vehicle:

    During a lease, the leasing company maintains ownership of the vehicle. At the end of a lease, you can choose to renew your lease, purchase the vehicle, or return it to the dealership and pay any associated costs. Purchasing a vehicle means that you are the owner whenever you make your final payment.

    Warranty Coverage:

    All vehicle warranties cover terms of 36 months or less, which means it’s likely that your full lease term will be covered. This helps ensure fixed costs of driving over that period. If you finance a vehicle, your warranty will expire after a certain period and your costs of driving will be variable.

    Trading Vehicles:

    Drivers who lease have the option to change cars whenever their lease term is up by simply entering into a new lease. Purchasing a vehicle makes it more difficult to change vehicles frequently, since you will be paying for the full cost of the vehicle and the depreciation, including any unexpected depreciation (in a lease, the risk of unexpected depreciation is carried by the lessor).

    Nalley Collision

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  3. It’s Cheaper to Buy a New Car Every Few Years Than to Hold Onto an Old One – NOT

    Dr. Marcinko – Consumer Reports notes that over the first five years of ownership, the median car costs more than $9,100 a year to own. However, if you keep the vehicle for eight years, this cost can be significantly decreased to an average of $7,800 per year.

    So, keep the clunker as long as you can — until the repair bills outweigh the cost of a new car.

    Clyde

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