Well the situation is still incredibly fluid. I even bought a new car to list on Relay Rides. I might have the only AWD Luxury minivan to rent in the state of Colorado. I bought this van because it was literally a diamond in the Relay Rides world. They don’t make AWD minivans anymore except for the Toyota Sienna. My MDX is potentially for sale or it might be turned into an uber black car. Using it on Relay Rides at these rates is not a win win scenario. The potential problem is the two future rentals in the month of July. The second person has been much more proactive. Now that I understand her situation I have a win win scenario I believe.
First off Relay Rides shouldn’t penalize me or the renter. My plan even makes more money for Relay Rides. As I said to my lovely wife Rebecca yesterday, “My nickname is Mr. Genius nor Mr. Prettygoodlooking.” Now that I know what the renter is looking for I really understand their situation the King of Empathy is on the case.
She does not necessarily want the MDX for it’s awesome handling, fun to drive, and stylish good looks. She needs a car that can hold a husband and wife, bunch of kids, luggage, and pick up and dropoff at DIA. Once the customer read my blog and became aware of the situation we both started working on backup plans. She found another minivan that she liked and was going to talk to her husband about. She sent me a link. I was kind of sad it wasn’t my minivan. I sent her a link to mine and she thought it looked really nice as well. Thank You!
I don’t think that minivan was even listed when she made her original booking with my MDX. I’m not even sure how many kids she has or the ages, but here is what I am thinking. This is as new parent who only has one baby who is 19 months old. If you have 2 or fewer kids I’d go with the MDX. Three kids would be the MDX or the Toyota Sienna. Four i’d go for the Toyota for sure. If we just had the universe of those three vehicles I’m trying to think which on the customer would want.
My first choice for them ironically isin’t either of my two vehicles. I’d go with the other Toyota Sienna minivan. Now if it was between October and April that other minivan is the last choice. Both of my cars are better choices. This is simply because my cars both have all wheel drive. Do you want to be the parents who make there kids get out of the car and push on vacation? This time of year the AWD is not a factor. What else is a big factor for this decision? The pick up and drop off. I have all sorts of complications and and issues. Although if the MDX or the Sienna rental goes through. I will do my best to make the experience go smooth.
The other car is where he blows me away. He is offering curb side pick up and drop off with his vehicle. That is worth something. I have done that in the past and will do it sometimes in the future, but it’s extra hard for me. I have a fleet of cars on Relay Rides to manage, drive for Lyft and Uber, and I’m a stay at home dad with a baby during normal business hours. I had two pickups in a row where the flight was delayed over two hours. That wrecked my day. The customer should want the other minivan just for the drop off and pick up. That option cost the most, but it’s certainly the newest and nicest vehicle with the best pickup and dropoff.
So Relay Rides can offer to let the customer cancel for free, or if they are automatically charged an $18 cancelation fee credit their account. The customer is super happy. Relay Rides makes more money because a more expensive vehicle is renter, the owner of the other car is excited because he has only taken 2 or 3 trips. (wonder how long that curbside dropoff keeps up?), the renter gets exactly what they want with no uncertainty, the owner me gets to keep my rating intact, create a happier customer, the business Relay Rides makes more money. How about it people?
This also lets me rent my minivan. I have 5 requests floating out there. Three of which will interfere with the potential MDX screwed up trip. I’m trying to make it right people. Throw me a freaking bone here someone.