Service fee – Isn’t that a rip-off?

Who hasn’t wondered why camper rental companies actually charge this ominous “service fee”? Isn’t that just a rip-off?

It may surprise you, but I can totally understand these thoughts. Especially in view of the fact that many colleagues charge this fee for things that are naturally part of the actual rental business. They often mention the briefing on the vehicle and the check on return, a full gas tank, exterior cleaning or things like a breakdown cover. In other words, points that don’t even need to be mentioned. All the more reason to suspect a rip-off if a flat rate is then charged for cleaning the interior, which can easily be the same amount as the service fee. (Not to mention other one-off items such as bed linen, kitchen equipment, camping furniture, awnings, etc.).

First of all: We renamed the fee some time ago to what it stands for in our company: Namely the final cleaning and nothing else. We have produced elaborate videos for the vehicle instruction, which – as they are already available – do not have to be charged again to every tenant. They also have the advantage that you can pause them at will or watch them several times at your leisure. This is also entirely in our interests, as most hirers already have their journey in mind when they take delivery and have no mental space for a lecture about the vehicle. We will carry out a detailed inspection after the vehicle has been returned as part of the final cleaning. If any damage is found, we will document it photographically and offset it against the refund of the deposit. For you as a guest, there is therefore no lengthy procedure on your return, but you can make your way home straight away. It should also go without saying that a camper is appropriately insured and equipped with a breakdown cover certificate. All LIGHTstern has to do is clean the vehicle and check everything again for the next renter, fill it up and get it ready to go.

• Complete emptying of the camper
• Use a comprehensive checklist to check whether everything is still present and in working order
• Check kitchen equipment for completeness
• Remove, wash and reupholster upholstery covers. Likewise the bed linnen
• Function test of the camping furniture and the tarp
• Cleaning and disinfecting the dry toilet
• Dusting, damp mopping and vacuuming the interior and driver’s cab
• Washing the outside of the vehicle
• Documentation with photos and dispatch of the report to the customer.

These are many individual steps that have to be taken to ensure that every guest finds “their” camper in the expected condition. The whole procedure can take a good four hours. For this – and only for this! – we charge the one-off flat rate. Everything else was, is and will remain free and included as part of our all-around carefree package. If that’s not absolutely fair!