Cheapest mid-week rental for a white van (1car1)

Member Name: jamesontheroad

Product:	1car1
Date:	13/10/08 (205 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, good fleet of new, well maintained vans

Disadvantages: Branches understaffed, limited slack in inventory if one car comes back late or damaged

I've only ever owned one car, and it was an expensive nightmare. So now I rent one when I need it, taking advantage of cheap weekend specials from Enterprise and the occasional white van from 1car1.

I've made a couple of rentals from the Glasgow city centre branch. Each time I've booked in advance online, taking advantage of a mid-week £25/day promotion for a Vauxhall Vivaro mid-size panel van. This is the cheapest rate I've found in the city for this size of van (ever so slightly smaller than a Transit). The only cheaper option was at Boulevard, who have previously supplied a friend of mine with a van that had a broken speedometer and no petrol cap. So compared to them, 1car1 are practically perfect. Practically, because I understand how they're so cheap. The Glasgow branch is pitifully understaffed. They occupy a deep railway arch just south of the Clyde near Central Station. However with a high turnover of vehicles I've experienced waits of up to an hour when vans are returned late: there isn't much spare capacity in the fleet to accommodate these events.

As an experienced rented, I am obsessive about checking the vehicle over before accepting it. Recording marks and damage before departure to both the inside and outside (people often forget the former) is essential. But in every case I was given a nearly new van with low mileage in excellent condition. Sticking to the agreed hours and treating the van carefully I've never been stung for extra fees, and look forward to more rentals that are just as good.

Summary: Take advantage of cheap off peak rates, but beware long waits