Date: Mon, 9 May 2016 12:00:32 -0400
Reply-To: Scott Quinnett <dragonflyvans@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Quinnett <dragonflyvans@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon rentals are catching on
This thread was just brought to my attention. I have been doing this
business for almost 10 yrs now. When I started there were two places in
California and one in Hawaii(Maybe two) that, in my humble opinion, were
basically making average VW campers available. Nothing more with one
exception. VSWagons. I have been contacted by many attempted "start
ups" over the past few years and a particular spike in attention in the
last two years. They are looking for insurance, feedback, experience,
revenue, etc. etc. Admittedly I haven't been very open or friendly,
I've got a lot to do daily and I'm a Mechanic/Technician first, and
social butterfly with a cool business concept in a far far second. In
order for renting to make sense and be profitable you have to ask big
money. That concept doesn't translate until your customers have
actually used the van and returning with that "ah ha" moment of
understanding the value. Also, I probably turn away as many people as
I rent to. I litterally research everyone who I intend to rent to. If
your familiar with the TV show Seinfeld, my friends call me the "van
nazi". "NO VAN FOR YOU!" as I am very stick about who and how my
campers are being used. I am a self made person and I've built everyone
of these vans with my own hands and they are mine, my daughters if you
will. They are not for everybody. blah blah blah......but I'm 9 years
into with only one failure that needed roadside attention.(chest
pounding) In any case, I'd love anyone to chime in with opinions about
this. More I'd love to hear the horror stories of others having done
the same thing. In fact, that might be the whole purpose of my
participating. It may be a "misery love company" thing. No one can
empathize with this kind of thing, but can sympathize with the concept
of morons f'n up your vans. errrrr..... Looking forward to hearing
from folks. One day I intend on producing a coffee table book regarding
the horror stories. I believe on VW Van owners will appreciate it.
Peace.
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