Rent-a-Bike Ripoff

[StuartG]

I thank you for your points but no one appears to have addressed the question in the mismatch in charging.

This was never intended to be a cycling holiday but one for extraneous reasons would have relied on buses to do longer distances and a pair of 'city' bikes for local trips. Two bikes = 240 euros (the price of one?) for 10 days. Or 480 euros for road bikes. Or a car for 140 euros without having to sort buses. (no extras, no fuss, cheap petrol, plenty easy free parking, open uncongested roads, more places to visit).

Had the rentals been reversed in line with costs then so would have been the decision. That was precisely why I swapped from car to bike in London. When utility cycling costs more than driving the plot is lost. Well it is for me.

Incidentally the cost of renting a more expensive Brompton in London would be just £45(60 euros) for 10 days. That's why I say its a rip off to accept such pricing overseas where costs are lower.

 

[Drago]

When one has to get on a plane to indulge in a spot of utility cycling then the plot is indeed well and truly, as you say, lost.

 

[bigjim]

When one has to get on a plane to indulge in a spot of pleasant utility cycling then the plot is indeed well and truly, as you say, lost.

Fixed it.

 

[StuartG]

When one has to get on a plane to indulge in a spot of utility cycling then the plot is indeed well and truly, as you say, lost.

Not relevant. How and why one gets to a country has nothing to do on how you get round it. Why do you avoid the issue of disproportionate charging?

 

[Drago]

Very relevant, because YOU mentioned your desire not to be an environmental moton(sic), yet seem oblivious to all the environmental damage you're responsible for simply getting itself there. Why do you avoid the issue of your environmental double standards?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

All about payback periods and residual values and resale-ability and size of market/demand with a dash of pricing based on what the local market will bear.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Where can you rent a B for £4.50 a day in lahndah btw?

 

[MarkF]

Another point is that bike rental companies business model is simply to rent out bicycles. The murky world of car rental is different, they want you to use your CC and sign a contract, maybe a really cheap looking one. Then they want to find an opportunity to fleece you..........

 

[srw]

Where can you rent a B for £4.50 a day in lahndah btw?

Guildford.

And Croydon and other places with a Bromptons Dock - look it up.

 

[screenman]

How do you know it is a rip off without knowing the full costs involved? How much does it cost a bike shop to rent you a bike taking all and I mean all overheads into consideration.

 

[Levo-Lon]

It costs 24 quid per adult to go into the Tower of London..

now that is a rip off

 

[Drago]

In the old days they'd lock you up there for free.

 

[screenman]

It costs 24 quid per adult to go into the Tower of London..

now that is a rip off

Is it? how much does the tower cost to run. You are in business and surely know that not everything you take is profit.

 

[perplexed]

I've just noticed the OP's avatar...

Off topic, but Beauvais cathedral has the tallest nave in Europe I believe.

I liked Beauvais - a fairly chilled sort of place.

Carry on, sorry.

The bike rental does seem pretty dear.

 

[mjr]

Two bikes = 240 euros (the price of one?) for 10 days.

No lower rate for longer hires? That seems unusual.