As an online business many of our customers are based in and around the UK as a whole, so it is simply not possible to meet all of our fantastic personal and business customer database! However, for those based in the Northwest, in particular Leigh, Warrington, St Helens and Wigan, we do encourage our customers to visit the team here to add complete comfort that they are being managed by a wholly professional business.
Arranging a car lease online is now an incredibly popular route for vehicle procurement; it is quick, simple and doesn’t need endless trips to various retailers. However, for some customers there is a still some trepidation as to the information required to continue with a business.
The information to lease a car that we need is very personal (and private) – name, home address, bank details, income and expenditure. As part of our GDPR obligations we only take the information which is necessary to assist with your enquiry but as this is a credit-based agreement, we do need a certain level of information to manage you effectively.
For some customers, providing this online is simply too much; for these customers we say visit a local leasing broker and meet their team face to face to ensure you are happy with their processes and infrastructure.
In the alternative, for those customers who are content with dealing with a broker online, there are a number of simple steps which you can carry out to ensure you have a positive experience. In particular:
· Check the company registration number correlates with the information on Companies House – has the broker filed accounts? How long have they been trading? Are there any adverse messages?
· Check the broker is member of the BVRLA – this is a trade body for the rental and leasing sector in the UK automotive industry. To be a member you must be audited on a yearly basis and adhere to strict professional guidelines. If they are not a member of the BVRLA, or another trade body, do consider your choice wisely.
· Check the FRN number – as a credit broker, not a lender, we must be authorised and regulated by the FCA. This means a number should be made accessible at the FCA register and this should show the company details. If something seems amiss, speak to the FCA to clarify.
· Check their reviews – companies like Trustpilot and Feefo provide great ways to understand how the organisation operates. Anyone with more than 500 reviews should give you some flavour as what experience you are likely to receive. Look at the good stuff AND the bad stuff – what sort of company are you likely to encounter!?
Just by following the simply steps above, you can quickly work out if you are dealing with a reputable credit broker. As part of being reliable businesses and treating customers fairly, all of the information should be easily accessible to the customer as well as any other help and advice regards leasing.
If you cannot find any of the above, or you find the broker is being obstructive, consider alternatives. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it often is!
