“At first glance, the costs seemed high to me”

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Peter Besmer, 57, is certainly not the only one who became aware of Carvolution’s car subscription through TV commercials. The new model has been advertised since the Bernese startup became the first provider of car subscriptions in Switzerland in 2018. Because as simple as the concept is, the all-inclusive package needs to be explained, as co-founder Léa Miggiano emphasized. Subscriptions are often compared to rentals, and the total cost of owning a vehicle is often misunderstood. As he explained in the interview, Peter Besmer of ZH from Niederhasli was the first to take a close look at this point. He wanted to know exactly how his car subscription worked and what the monthly fixed costs were about.

Peter, how did you learn about Carvolution?

Mainly through catchy TV commercials. Partly through news in the newspaper. Léa Miggiano, who can be seen in the ad, makes the ad cute and original. Not intrusive, just factual and natural. That’s why I took a closer look at Carvolution.

How did you learn about car subscription?

My wife and I talked a lot about this and researched it on the Internet. We were quickly convinced of the advantages of car subscription and car selection. It was clear that we wanted to switch from a petrol car to an electric car.

What happened then?

Sales Manager Raquel advised me and also prepared the proposal. We got more offers. We finally chose the Carvolution offer and subscribed to a Fiat 500e La Prima. We are very happy with the whole process. We had a real wow effect, especially with the car.

What was particularly important to you during the consultation?

What I really appreciated was the patience of the staff. We rested and could ask anything. It was also important for me to see all the costs I would have to face. Raquel also transparently explained to us when and what costs we should expect. For example, prepaying the first two monthly installments and the one-time starting fee of CHF 390.

Does anyone else have a car subscription in your area?

No, we are the first. But in my business, subscription gave a lot to talk about. Everyone had questions: Why don’t I buy or rent the car? How much is this? Why Revolution? But I didn’t want to advertise too much because I want to test the subscription model myself first.

Does this mean you don’t recommend Carvolution?

However. But basically I am not a fan of installment payments and at first glance the monthly costs seemed high to me. But after my account I have to say: Carvolution subscription is worth it.

What is the difference between renting and purchasing?

I’ve never rented, just bought. I still have to get used to the fact that with the subscription I can use my car like the cars I bought before. The very positive thing about the car subscription for me is that I don’t have to worry about anything.

And otherwise?

It’s great that I can adjust the mileage package. We drove longer than we originally planned. I can easily upgrade via the app and downgrade again if needed. I think this flexibility is well thought out and gives me the freedom to customize the subscription as I need it.

If someone asks you: How would you describe the subscription?

Simple, ingenious, affordable. And above all it is computable. You know exactly what the costs will be in the next few years – period.

Are you paying less for a car today than before?

I can’t say exactly. I calculated it and I know that the monthly fixed price for my car subscription including insurance, taxes, tires and all decorations is fair in my opinion. Still, at first glance, car subscription costs seem high compared to cars I’ve bought in the past. But when I look back, I did not think much about cost items such as down payment, annual insurance payments, tire replacement, depreciation and neglected them in the comparison.

What do you see as the advantage of a car subscription?

Perfect solution for me to try electromobility. We have no financial risk or resale risk. This is a big plus for electric vehicles. Because the technology is still relatively new, predicting the vehicle’s depreciation is difficult. Of course, the subscription provides us with assurance in this regard. Additionally, many cars were quickly available on Carvolution, so we were able to start driving right away.

Who can you recommend Carvolution to?

Anyone who isn’t sure what kind of car they need or want. With Carvolution you can try whatever you want. It’s much better than buying a car and then getting angry because it doesn’t fit. The subscription price is fair and definitely worth it. Of course, if you do damage, you have to pay for it. However, this is also the case with rental or purchase. For me the car subscription is the best solution right now and I think it will be the same for many others.

Source: Blick