Hello, thanks for coming back over to have a look at the ongoing developments.
We've added Facebook applications for the Leasing Business and plenty of links and graphics to support the Utility Warehouse side of things.
Have a flick through the blog, the main interests are:
Vehicle Leasing
Saving Money At Home
Running A Small Business
The Sport of Lacrosse.
Fitting in all of the above!
Showing posts with label Leasing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leasing. Show all posts
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Monday, 13 July 2009
The Attraction of Personal Leasing
LEASING companies cannot have failed to see a shift in the market place in personal leasing arrangements. A few years ago a definite increase in Employee Car Ownership Schemes was responsible.
This time it seems the car for the school-run, the car for doing the shopping, and the car for occasional business use are also being funded away from traditional outright purchase, bank loans or hire purchase agreements.
We’ve seen a distinct change in the market place. It’s no longer ex-company car drivers looking for a different way of going about their busy, high mileage jobs. Today’s customers are more regular consumers. They are moving from old cars to new. And tending towards lower mileage, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.
I think some of this new-found popularity is due to ‘pub-talk’ – not new products that push the popularity of various funding methods.
The attraction of a PCP or PCH
Friends or colleagues can easily explain the flexibility to buy the car at a price written in to the contract. Or, simply arrange for the car be picked up and taken away at the end of the contract. It seems to take people’s interest. This is a simple way of explaining the benefits of a Personal Contract Purchase (or PCP).
In the same vein, someone else may mention that they have found a deal which is the same price as that given to a large fleet. All they have to do is just add the VAT and include Road Fund Licence, delivery and a predicted mileage to get their monthly lease rental.
All that’s required is to insure the car and pay for fuel. After two or three years the car is returned and they will simply start again. That friend has just sold the concept of Personal Contract Hire (PCH) to everybody they know. This word of mouth is having a big impact in the market-place
The move away from car ownership
The public catch on to ideas through many outlets. And one common theme rang true during the onset of the economic downturn. Selling a used car was tough. It wasn’t worth what had been budgeted for; and often significantly less than any outstanding finance left on the vehicle. A lot of individuals got hit by the market last year and are continuing to do so.
To many, leasing on a personal basis was an alien concept. The general mood has always been to ‘own’ the car. Nowadays customers are more flexible. They are open to ideas and products which may protect them in the future and offer great value for money – whether they choose to own the vehicle or not.
So are you missing out? Is it time for you to consider leasing?
If so, do this: forget about interest rates, trade-ins and balloon payments. Instead, work out a monthly budget and see where that gets you. Let your business car leasing contact know what you can afford and see what you can get for your money – you might be surprised.
Further information
Anthony K Associates were established in 1995 and are franchisees of Network Vehicles (part of LeasePlan), acting as a car leasing broker for several FN 50 blue-chip funding companies to businesses and individuals throughout the UK. Click here to visit the website www.anthonyk.co.uk
For more on personal leases, read our Advice Centre article What is a personal lease?
You might also find useful our Special Report entitled Try leasing to ease your credit lines
This time it seems the car for the school-run, the car for doing the shopping, and the car for occasional business use are also being funded away from traditional outright purchase, bank loans or hire purchase agreements.
We’ve seen a distinct change in the market place. It’s no longer ex-company car drivers looking for a different way of going about their busy, high mileage jobs. Today’s customers are more regular consumers. They are moving from old cars to new. And tending towards lower mileage, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.
I think some of this new-found popularity is due to ‘pub-talk’ – not new products that push the popularity of various funding methods.
The attraction of a PCP or PCH
Friends or colleagues can easily explain the flexibility to buy the car at a price written in to the contract. Or, simply arrange for the car be picked up and taken away at the end of the contract. It seems to take people’s interest. This is a simple way of explaining the benefits of a Personal Contract Purchase (or PCP).
In the same vein, someone else may mention that they have found a deal which is the same price as that given to a large fleet. All they have to do is just add the VAT and include Road Fund Licence, delivery and a predicted mileage to get their monthly lease rental.
All that’s required is to insure the car and pay for fuel. After two or three years the car is returned and they will simply start again. That friend has just sold the concept of Personal Contract Hire (PCH) to everybody they know. This word of mouth is having a big impact in the market-place
The move away from car ownership
The public catch on to ideas through many outlets. And one common theme rang true during the onset of the economic downturn. Selling a used car was tough. It wasn’t worth what had been budgeted for; and often significantly less than any outstanding finance left on the vehicle. A lot of individuals got hit by the market last year and are continuing to do so.
To many, leasing on a personal basis was an alien concept. The general mood has always been to ‘own’ the car. Nowadays customers are more flexible. They are open to ideas and products which may protect them in the future and offer great value for money – whether they choose to own the vehicle or not.
So are you missing out? Is it time for you to consider leasing?
If so, do this: forget about interest rates, trade-ins and balloon payments. Instead, work out a monthly budget and see where that gets you. Let your business car leasing contact know what you can afford and see what you can get for your money – you might be surprised.
Further information
Anthony K Associates were established in 1995 and are franchisees of Network Vehicles (part of LeasePlan), acting as a car leasing broker for several FN 50 blue-chip funding companies to businesses and individuals throughout the UK. Click here to visit the website www.anthonyk.co.uk
For more on personal leases, read our Advice Centre article What is a personal lease?
You might also find useful our Special Report entitled Try leasing to ease your credit lines
Friday, 27 March 2009
Weekly Rant!
Well this week lots more happenings - Alliance Leicester A.K.A Abbey National A.K.A Santander have withdrawn their funding of several smaller Contract Hire companies.
What does this mean to us, you and your customers? It means lots of leasing firms not in the Fleet News Top 10 are having to restrict the amount of business they write. Meaning there is market share that needs filling, often to customers who have moved away from dealing direct with the main players.
The benefits of using a trusted leasing broker are really coming to fruition. Hundreds of deals, plenty of funders and the tightening of credit are all adding up to desperate sellers, misinformation and untold delays in paperwork and delivery. Fear not - we see it daily, and our customers know what is happening every step of the way.
Payment and credit wrangles between dealers and funders could mean that the 'cheapest' deal may not be achievable - clients need the options and updates to make informed decisions.
So what next......? Well it seems doing a good job is back to being as important as price, the slight detail of service had slipped from the minds of many for 9 months or so and the horror stories have come out. What's great now is that customers are asking questions - such as "where is the finance to be placed" and "which dealer are you using", consciousness is back in the market and we look forward to taking on the bedroom brokers and doorstep financiers. Same deals, proper company part of the BVRLA
The used car market has recovered for 4 straight months, meaning that residual value calculations could help stabilise or even reduce rentals. On top of that the 'should we buy used' conversations have dried up! Look at the MPG's, the Co2's and the Whole Life Costs and new cars still stack up!
Coming up.........
Vehicle Tracking - your customers can save £'000's on fuel, productivity and duty of care. It's a big deal and not just for courier companies. Our partnership with the UK's leading tracking provider, Navman is in it's fruition - watch this space!
Special Deals to follow and plenty to be done - of course only with our best suppliers and upfront, honest service ;)
All The Very Best for a Great Weekend,
keep an eye on www.anthonyk.co.uk for more great deals and news
What does this mean to us, you and your customers? It means lots of leasing firms not in the Fleet News Top 10 are having to restrict the amount of business they write. Meaning there is market share that needs filling, often to customers who have moved away from dealing direct with the main players.
The benefits of using a trusted leasing broker are really coming to fruition. Hundreds of deals, plenty of funders and the tightening of credit are all adding up to desperate sellers, misinformation and untold delays in paperwork and delivery. Fear not - we see it daily, and our customers know what is happening every step of the way.
Payment and credit wrangles between dealers and funders could mean that the 'cheapest' deal may not be achievable - clients need the options and updates to make informed decisions.
So what next......? Well it seems doing a good job is back to being as important as price, the slight detail of service had slipped from the minds of many for 9 months or so and the horror stories have come out. What's great now is that customers are asking questions - such as "where is the finance to be placed" and "which dealer are you using", consciousness is back in the market and we look forward to taking on the bedroom brokers and doorstep financiers. Same deals, proper company part of the BVRLA
The used car market has recovered for 4 straight months, meaning that residual value calculations could help stabilise or even reduce rentals. On top of that the 'should we buy used' conversations have dried up! Look at the MPG's, the Co2's and the Whole Life Costs and new cars still stack up!
Coming up.........
Vehicle Tracking - your customers can save £'000's on fuel, productivity and duty of care. It's a big deal and not just for courier companies. Our partnership with the UK's leading tracking provider, Navman is in it's fruition - watch this space!
Special Deals to follow and plenty to be done - of course only with our best suppliers and upfront, honest service ;)
All The Very Best for a Great Weekend,
keep an eye on www.anthonyk.co.uk for more great deals and news
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
It's been a couple of weeks since the last post from Anthony K - sorry about that, it has been HECTIC!
There are so many special deals, offers and incentives from dealers to get cars arranged before Christmas it really is a great time to lease. In fact we are helping them along nicely by even offering to pay off existing lease agreements early to take advantage of pre-Christmas rates!
On top of having more enquiries than we've ever had, we've been speaking to other fleet stakeholders such as Ralph Morton at the online magazine Business Car Manager. We had a telephone interview on Friday which went very well indeed (see article 89 on his blog)
It's the big day tomorrow in Manchester, how did you vote?
"What for?" I hear you ask ! The Proposed Congestion Charge. Most of the people I know voted against the charge, whilst it seems those saying 'yes' in the main would be unaffected OR able to take advantage of any new transport links.
The results are returned at midday tomorrow, The Manchester Evening News are doing live updates - let's see what happens! Jim Syncox Manchester Blog has lots of news and commentary regarding the charge - have a look here !
I'll be back soon for comments on the results!
There are so many special deals, offers and incentives from dealers to get cars arranged before Christmas it really is a great time to lease. In fact we are helping them along nicely by even offering to pay off existing lease agreements early to take advantage of pre-Christmas rates!
On top of having more enquiries than we've ever had, we've been speaking to other fleet stakeholders such as Ralph Morton at the online magazine Business Car Manager. We had a telephone interview on Friday which went very well indeed (see article 89 on his blog)
It's the big day tomorrow in Manchester, how did you vote?
"What for?" I hear you ask ! The Proposed Congestion Charge. Most of the people I know voted against the charge, whilst it seems those saying 'yes' in the main would be unaffected OR able to take advantage of any new transport links.
The results are returned at midday tomorrow, The Manchester Evening News are doing live updates - let's see what happens! Jim Syncox Manchester Blog has lots of news and commentary regarding the charge - have a look here !
I'll be back soon for comments on the results!
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Sole Supply and Why It Pays To Use a Broker
News emerged today that Alphabet leasing are changing their business plan for 2009, resulting in them pitching for less business and honoring existing contracts only. The reasons behind this include access to funding and an almost certain price increase full story
Existing clients may now be inclined to to shop the market and see just how competitive current suppliers really are. We've noticed increased price sensitivity in the market which is opening up the medium to larger fleets to be more receptive to our message. "We shop the market whilst you benefit from sole supply service".
Rates are changing on a daily basis for some funders, some (to remain nameless) are literally pricing themselves out of the market for new business whilst passing increasing prices on to existing clients. If you know anyone who could benefit from a market analysis from Anthony K we'll happily show them comparative figures from our broad range of finance partners to demonstrate the savings which can be made using a reputable broker (like us!)
Existing clients may now be inclined to to shop the market and see just how competitive current suppliers really are. We've noticed increased price sensitivity in the market which is opening up the medium to larger fleets to be more receptive to our message. "We shop the market whilst you benefit from sole supply service".
Rates are changing on a daily basis for some funders, some (to remain nameless) are literally pricing themselves out of the market for new business whilst passing increasing prices on to existing clients. If you know anyone who could benefit from a market analysis from Anthony K we'll happily show them comparative figures from our broad range of finance partners to demonstrate the savings which can be made using a reputable broker (like us!)
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Network Sets High Standards for Brokers
Small businesses, wishing to lease cars through brokers, can look forward to higher standards.
From January 2009, all Network brokers will have to be British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) approved.
It is a significant step to raise standards. Network represents the largest group of franchised brokers in the UK – 210 in total. Car funding and the Network franchise infrastructure is provided by leasing giant LeasePlan.
Tim Hudson, commerical director for LeasePlan, explained: “We take our position as industry leader very seriously. As a result we can’t focus simply on signing as many brokers as possible and pushing through as many sales as we can. Instead, our focus should be on setting and maintaining standards for a select group of elite brokers.”
Click here to read the full article
Click here to learn more about Anthony K Vehicle Leasing
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Contract Hire v's Leasing
I am currently looking at the replacement van for a very good plumber I know from Rochdale Lacrosse Club. As a small business he has been effectively 'blinded by science' when it comes to the information he requires to do the best for his business.
Effectively the question was "Are you quoting a Contract Hire or a Lease?"
Answer:
Contract Hire - is just that, a hire/rental of a vehicle. 50% of company cars are funded in this way. At the end of the contract the vehicle return to the hire company.
A Lease - The vehicle is, in effect owned by the person paying the bills! At the end the vehicle becomes your liability with a possibe one-off 'balloon' payment to pay. Mainly vans are funded this way.
For this client, it is in his best interest to Contract Hire, he can budget his payments and has no responsibility for the van at the end of the contract. He has better things to do than start selling one van to pay for the next!
There are so many options available that you really should speak to an impartial expert. This becomes difficult when nearly every 'expert' has their own specialism in which they make money!
Effectively the question was "Are you quoting a Contract Hire or a Lease?"
Answer:
Contract Hire - is just that, a hire/rental of a vehicle. 50% of company cars are funded in this way. At the end of the contract the vehicle return to the hire company.
A Lease - The vehicle is, in effect owned by the person paying the bills! At the end the vehicle becomes your liability with a possibe one-off 'balloon' payment to pay. Mainly vans are funded this way.
For this client, it is in his best interest to Contract Hire, he can budget his payments and has no responsibility for the van at the end of the contract. He has better things to do than start selling one van to pay for the next!
There are so many options available that you really should speak to an impartial expert. This becomes difficult when nearly every 'expert' has their own specialism in which they make money!
Friday, 9 November 2007
Getting some press!!
I have developed a positive discourse with Ralph, the editor of a new(ish) online magazine called Business Car Manager . I was impressed by the magazine and it's content, the only one of it's kind aimed at the smaller fleet. Within 4 weeks of our first conversation I am published author!
All issues in business affect different size businesses in differing ways, in the fleet industry the smaller business is left behind in the knowledge gap, this magazine and it's contributors aim to reduce this. Of course we are delighted to be involved.
My article is here and discusses how to best organise vehicles for new staff. There are also links to advice on how to choose a vehicle broker (like us), what a leasing broker does and several other topics of interest to the normal business running a few cars.
All issues in business affect different size businesses in differing ways, in the fleet industry the smaller business is left behind in the knowledge gap, this magazine and it's contributors aim to reduce this. Of course we are delighted to be involved.
My article is here and discusses how to best organise vehicles for new staff. There are also links to advice on how to choose a vehicle broker (like us), what a leasing broker does and several other topics of interest to the normal business running a few cars.
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