How to Negotiate the Best PCO Car Hire Deal - A Thorough Guide

If you are a PCO driver using a hired vehicle, the car hire deal you choose can have a significant impact on your earnings. That’s why it’s important to know how to find a deal that works in your best interest, because if you sign a contract blindly, then you will be leaving money on the table. Possibly hundreds of pounds per month.

In this article, we will share valuable tips to help you negotiate the best PCO car hire deal. Let’s get started.

Be Clear About Your Own Needs First

You can’t negotiate the best deal if you don’t know what you need. Many PCO drivers walk into the hire office, nod along, and sign the contract without knowing what will work best for them. As a result, they either end up getting a car that doesn’t align with their work style or a deal that’s too expensive for them.

Here’s what you should do instead:

Determine how many hours a week you will drive. If you plan to become a full-time driver, then you will need a package with high mileage - one that doesn’t charge an extra 20p per mile after the first 800 miles (1,287.48 km). However, if you plan to test the waters or become a part-time driver, then the mileage cap may not matter as much.

You should also know whether you want a standard car or 7 seater. Standard cars are good for inner-city or short-distance rides, while 7 seaters are suitable for group travellers and airport runs with heavy luggage.

Research the Market

The next thing you should do is research the market. Don’t just type PCO car hire on Google and contact the first company you see. Make a list of at least 10 different companies and check their rental prices.

Also, don’t believe everything advertised. Sometimes, cheap packages can be a trap and come with hidden extras that significantly increase the overall cost. You should start by asking what’s included in the package. Does it include insurance, servicing, MOTs, and road tax?

A £250 package that includes these services is much more affordable than a £180 package that comes without them. So, look for companies that offer all-inclusive packages and compare their rates. This way, you can say, “Company X is offering the same features at this rate; can you beat that?”

The company you are dealing with will likely lower the price if it sees you as a serious client.

Negotiate the Deposit

Many companies require an initial deposit of £250-£500. It’s standard practice to protect themselves from damage, missed payments, or drivers disappearing with the vehicle. However, just because it’s standard doesn’t mean it’s fixed. You can negotiate the deposit if it seems too much.

If you have rented before and have a clean history with no accidents or missed payments, you can use it to your advantage by saying, “I’ve been driving private hire vehicles for years and have a clean track record. Is there any room to reduce deposit?”

If the company refuses, ask whether you can pay it in weekly instalments instead of one upfront cost. Many companies offer this flexibility to avoid losing clients.

Negotiate the Weekly Price Based on Commitment

Negotiations require leverage, and the best leverage you have as a PCO driver is commitment. PCO hire companies prefer drivers who are willing to commit long-term because this prevents frequent returns of the vehicle, inspections, and the hassle of preparing the vehicle for a new driver every few weeks.

So, once you have found a reliable company, ask if they would give you better rates if you stick long term?

Many companies have pre-set tiers like £240 for a four-week contract and £210 for a six-month contract. However, some won’t advertise them upfront, hoping to lock you into a long contract at the price of a short-term deal.

Tell them that another company is offering you a discounted rate for a six-month commitment. This will likely change their stance as knocking £20-£30 off per week would still earn them over £5,000 in six months.

Always Get It in Writing

Remember one thing when hiring a car: “If it’s not written, it doesn’t exist.” No matter how nice the rental guy seems or how confident you are after closing the deal, verbal promises mean nothing when things go wrong.

In the PCO world, things can always go wrong due to money, responsibilities, and a high risk of accidents. If you want to protect yourself, get everything in writing.

Let’s say you agreed to a £210 per week deal with unlimited mileage. However, a few days later, you get charged extra because you drove more than a thousand miles. You say, that’s not what we agreed and they say: “Well, the contract says you can’t drive more than a thousand miles per week.”

Guess what? They will win because they have the proof, and you don’t. So, make sure you get everything in writing because that’s what smart drivers do.

Conclusion

Your PCO car hire package plays a crucial role in your success as a PCO driver. Choose the right deal, and you will not only save significant money but also enjoy a stress-free experience. Select the wrong deal and most of your profits will be gone in the blink of an eye. So, do your homework and negotiate hard to get the right deal because that’s the only way to thrive.