Having trouble finding a promotional vehicle hire company? Getting the right team for the job can be tough. If this sounds familiar, then have no fear! These 10 questions will help you screen for quality, professionalism and support.
Any company well-versed in promotional campaigns will be happy to answer these questions clearly and openly. If not, it’s best to look elsewhere!
1. How much experience do you have?
A great question to start with, and one that’s often answered on their website.
Ask how long they’ve been operating. The age of the company is a sign of success, but don’t stop there! Find out who they have worked with and what they can tell you about past brand activations. Also look for case studies, image galleries and testimonials.
If you can’t find what you’re after online, it all comes down to a conversation. You can always follow up with their previous clients to check they’re being authentic.
2. Can you customise my campaign vehicle?
Your team should have a strong fleet to choose from. But you also want to know if they can go beyond promotional vehicle hire and build the experience you have in mind.
With the right team, almost any design is possible – as long as it falls within physical limits. For example, you may want a giant roof prop or a specific (and branded) interior for meetings or storage. Discover how we design and customise vehicles here.
3. Do you source or own the promotional vehicles?
If the company doesn’t own the vehicles and has to source them, this will add time to the project. There’s nothing wrong with this (and we sometimes have to source unique or oddball vehicles for our clients), but the key is honesty.
They could be a ‘middle man’ that hires the promotional vehicle, which is then passed to you. In such cases, it’s likely cheaper to pick a team that owns their fleet outright. And at Promohire, that’s exactly what we do!
Check out our diverse fleet and use our budget calculator for prices.
4. Do you support the design process?
Design work is tricky, especially for those unfamiliar with vehicle templates (edited with Adobe Illustrator). That’s because it takes extra skill to map a 2D design onto a template that represents a 3D model.
A good promotional vehicle hire company should be happy to offer advice, but at Promohire, we’ll tweak your design so it’s free from errors, then send it back to you for approval. See how to prepare your vehicle design for print for more info.
5. How quickly can you build my project?
A good company won’t waste your time. Instead, they’ll provide an estimate based on your campaign vehicle of choice and the details given. Design takes around 2-3 weeks, but full customisations take months to complete – and that’s why it’s always smart to book your vehicle well ahead of time.
Promohire keeps you updated on the development process. You’ll also be invited to see the results for yourself at various stages. Check out our onboarding guide to learn more.
6. How much will my project cost?
Prices depend on the campaign vehicle, how long it’s needed, and the number of activation (or event) days. Extra services will be added to the final bill, such as help with location planning, or sampling and fulfilment.
If your promotional vehicle hire company is trustworthy, they won’t hide this from you. Instead, they’ll be able to give you an estimate very early, as with our pricing page, and be very clear on the total before you pay.
See our guide to campaign support costs for info on how we charge.
7. What happens if things go wrong?
From planning errors to vehicle breakdowns, things can sometimes go wrong. And if they do, you want to know that your vehicle hire company is in your corner.
A good team will tell you about potential logistical issues that might affect your plan. They should also ask where your vehicle’s going and when, helping you to comply with regulations. If a breakdown happens, they may even have a mechanic or transporter to get you back on the road.
8. Can you help with logistics?
Your chosen team should be able to help with route planning, vehicle transport and venue access.
Route planning – Low bridges and narrow roads can pose a problem, while older vehicles struggle on motorways. So, you’ll want to make sure you have the best route for your particular vehicle. Visit our route planning guide to learn more.
Vehicle transport – While modern vans are simple to drive, vintage vehicles aren’t so easy, and nor should they take on extended journeys. Find out if they can be taken by a loader between venues, either at no extra cost or through enhanced logistics.
Venue access – Venues often have specific rules and regulations, and you might not be able to get on-site late at night or early morning. They might also demand that banksmen be used, who will guide your vehicle safely into place.
9. Can you help with campaign staffing?
Will you need extra help on event day? If so, it’s worth seeing if they can help you source promotional staff like brand ambassadors, caterers, event security and event managers. If they can’t, you’ll need to contact a reputable agency.
At Promohire, we pull from a robust network of people who work on campaigns like yours every day. They also understand how our vehicles factor into live activations.
See how to find brand ambassadors, or visit our staffing guide for a rundown of who you can hire to make your next campaign an experience to remember.
10. What level of insurance do you have?
You should always ask about what’s covered by your promotional vehicle hire company.
A trusted team will have motor trade insurance for potential accidents, as well as public liability insurance in the case of any incident caused through negligence, damage or injury. If they aren’t insured, then it’s safer to look elsewhere.
At Promohire, we’re fully insured to give you complete peace of mind.
Get answers to your questions today
We believe in being honest and transparent, so you’ll never have to worry about getting a professional service. We can also answer any questions you have in clear terms, and then discuss your project in detail.
Our promotional team is on hand to bring your activation to life, so just hit the button below to start the conversation. We can’t wait to hear from you!
