[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2121.0. "UK car/van hire to take abroad" by BONNET::HARDY () Wed Jul 21 1993 11:17

    Hi chaps,
    
    I want to hire a van (large transit size) to take to France and back.
    
    i'd prefer the Manchester area but could pick it up from further afield
    if necessary.
    
    I've tried Hertz and been told that they won't let me take it abroad
    
    I've tried Avis and been told that they don't hire vans any more
    
    I've tried Europcar and been told that they will do it for a 50%
    surcharge
    
    I've tried a couple of locals and been told that they won't let me take
    it abroad
    
    Does anyone know of any companies that would help me?
    
    thanks
    
    Peter
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2121.1MAJORS::ALFORDlying Shipwrecked and comatose...Wed Jul 21 1993 11:545
Re: .0

Try Eurodollar  (I think that's the name) they profess to be europe-wide so 
they should let you take their vehicles abroad...
2121.2try BudgetWOTVAX::BROWNRAndy BrownWed Jul 21 1993 12:0617
    A couple of years ago I helped a friend of mine move back from
    Rotterdam to London. We hired a Ford Cargo from Budget and they seemed
    happy enough to let us take it abroad although it did cost more than
    the standard hire cost. Unfortunately I cannot remember how much more.
    
    By the way I don't know what you intend putting in the back of the van
    but be careful. When we turned up in Dover with a truck load of
    furniture with no official export documents or whatever they are called
    Customs didn't know what to do with us. As we were transporting
    personal belongings we didn't need all the official documents but
    trying to convince them of that was bloody hard work. We were there for
    what seemed hours. No other country gave a toss what we were carrying
    only good old GB.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Andy.
2121.3PEKING::SMITHRWOff-duty Rab C Nesbit stunt doubleWed Jul 21 1993 13:379
    France isn't "abroad".  France is in Europe.  We are in Europe.  What
    is the problem with these people? Would they have let you take it to
    Scotland?  Okay, there's a ferry crossing - is the Isle of Wight out of
    bounds?  Or any other place in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
    NORTHERN IRELAND?
    
    Parochial bunch of bin-lids....
    
    Richard
2121.4Might be true.....butBONNET::HARDYWed Jul 21 1993 14:159
    Richard,

    The base information is important to me.
    
    Can we please avoid ratholes, at least until I have some more advice.
    
    thanks 
    
    Peter.
2121.5Same for carsARRODS::SMITHAWed Jul 21 1993 14:5825
50% loading on the hire-charge is about usual for taking the vehicle abroad.
Check what this covers - normally the green-card only. You may also have to
take out recovery insurance, a la AA 5*

Also you will probably have to sign a declaration that you are not taking the
vehicle into former easter-bloc countries. Seems they get lost there :-)

Another company to try is Ryder - also profess to be Euro-wide.

T.






p.s. Not intended to be a rat-hole but re. .2

Don't you believe that GB customs are the only ones who care about what you are
carrying in a private hire van. If you want to see bureaucracy and beligerence
at it's most extreme try taking something into France !

On a more positive note, bringing stuff back from EEC countries should be 
straightforward now, especially if it's personal belongings moving back to the
'Mother Country'.
2121.6SVHWOTVAX::MACDONALDIStalybridge CelticWed Jul 21 1993 15:019
    
    Have you tried Salford Van Hire in Manchester???
    
    Whether they would let you take it to France I don't know!!!!
    
    Failing that find a dealer who will let you test-drive a van for a few
    days and use that.....:-)
    
    mac
2121.7AlternativesCHEFS::OSBORNECWed Jul 21 1993 19:3816
    
    Peter -
    
    
    2 more unusual approaches, if all else fails
    
    
    a. Buy a van, use it, & then re-sell it. Can be very cost-efficient
    
    b. Buy a van from a dealer, with a guaranteed buy-back price for <x
       miles added. Used to be easy, & a regular habit with visiting
       Antipodeans.
    
    If u get stuck, call me.
    
    Colin
2121.8Another alternativePEKING::SMITHRWOff-duty Rab C Nesbit stunt doubleThu Jul 22 1993 10:3011
    re: .4
    
    Sorry, no derailment of the topic intended.
    
    
    Have you tried finding out what the professionals (eg Pickfords or
    whoever) would charge to move your stuff?  Might be more expensive but
    could involve a lot less pain...
    
    Richard
    
2121.9YUPPY::CARTERWindows on the world...Thu Jul 22 1993 11:005
    Can you borrow a DEC-mobile???
    
    
    Xtine
    
2121.10SAC::WARBURTONThu Jul 22 1993 15:528
    
    Stamford Van Hire, Altrincham, Manchester.
    
    A friend of mine used them last year to move the contents of his house
    in France back to England.
    
    Julie.
    
2121.11Lateral contributionSHIPS::BROWN_CTue Jul 27 1993 10:1616
    If you're collecting from France rather than delivering, you could
    always try the following....
    
    1 Take cheap return flight to France
    
    2 Hire van (normally no extra expense or problems in taking French hire
    vehicals out of France)  BTW Digital France used to have some good 
    agreements with Hertz for unlimited mileage rentals.
    
    3 Drive to England deliver goods, and return to France
    
    4 Use return half of ticket to fly home.
    
    Just a thought 
    
    Chris                                              
2121.12been there, done that.BONNET::HARDYTue Jul 27 1993 17:3415
    Chris,
    
    I did this several weeks ago.
    
    I got a transit diesel from hertz with no milage (oops.. kilometrage)
    and 42% discount. No problems taking it out of the country.
    
    It cost me approx 2,500 Francs for 5 days.
    
    As I was already in france, I even missed the return air-fare cost.
    
    BTW, the motorway tolls are approx 50% higher if you have a van, but
    I'm now a believer in diesels.
    
    Peter 
2121.131 more suggestionSHIPS::BROWN_CThu Jul 29 1993 16:0489
    Now that I look again at your nodename, it all becomes clear.
    
    Except I'm still nto sure whether you want to lug stuff to France, or
    take it away.
    
    As you appear to be based in Valbonne, you may not know that Digital
    ran a trial in the UK by using Churchfields instead of AVIS.  It may be
    worth your while to give them a call.  I attach teh mail that came
    round a while back FYI
    
    
    
    	                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M
    
                                            Date:     23-Jun-1993
    03:19pmBST
                                            From:     MARILYN CLIFTON
                                                      CLIFTONM AT A1_PEKING
    at SUBU
                                            Dept:     A & L PURCHASING
                                            Tel No:   (7)830 3699
    
    Subject: Curchfields Vehicle Rentals
    
        Folks,
    
        As you may be aware there have been a number of complaints
        recently regarding the service received by Digital from Avis Rent
        a Car.  To try to rectify this, together with the cost restraints
        we currently have we are asking you to take place in a trial run
        for Churchfield Vehicle Rentals which will last from Monday 28th
        June until Friday 16th July.  This company is a Broker and has
        many garages/locations in your area.  The terms and conditions of
        hire are the same as those we have with our current supplier.
        Insurance paid by Digital, and private hires allowed with added
        CDW and PAI.
        
    To order a vehicle please phones the central reservation desk
        ................Free phone 0800 212151............................
    
        You will need to quote....Day and time hire requested
                              ....Your Credit card number (if you do not
        have a company credit card please apply)
                              ....Name and details
                              ....Return date and time if known.
                              ....Name of our Company - Digital
    
        On receipt of this Churchfields will notify you of which Company
        you are to expect and issue a cover note of authority to be handed
        to you by the company who brings you the car.
    
        On return of the car you will need to book off on the free phone
        number. Office hours are 8-00 to 6-00.  If you make special
        arrangements with the Garages for out of hours returns be sure and
        keep a record.  If the call off is not received by the office you
        will be charges accordingly.  If you wish to use the vehicle
        before 8-00 in the morning you can ask for a stand by charge of 10
        pounds.  The vehicle will then be delivered the night before and
        your charge will only be one day plus stand by.  One day
        constitutes 24hours 59 mins. There are no home deliveries.
    
        The cost to your cost centre is 17-00 pounds per day for an A
        vehicle and 20-00 for a B.  This is higher than Apr 92 but 7-30
        pounds cheaper than the 93 current A and 5-65 pounds cheaper than
        B.
    
        Within forty eight hours an invoice should be delivered to your
        home address together with a Card giving you the Free phone
        number, Digital reference and a personal booking number.  For
        future reference this number will elevate the hassle of you having
        to go through your personal details every time.
    
        This invoice should be rendered in the normal way and claimed
        through expenses.
    
        This is only a trail period and can not work without your help.
        If you need a hire car please try this Company.  If you have any
        comments on the service/ condition of the cars/ response times
        etc. I should be pleased to hear.
    
        Any problems please either contact me direct....7830-3699
                                   Debbie Spooner.......7830-3252
                                   Simon Trippick.......7782-2285
                                   Clare Costello.......7773-5200
                                   Margaret Crist.......7853-4314
    
        Regards,
        Marilyn