Jonger1150
New member
With emissions controls and power of modern sleds, its not shocking. My Etec 600 was a $3800 upgrade option on my sled, took it right to $10,000.
$led Rental$
- Thread starter blkhwkbob
- Start date
With emissions controls and power of modern sleds, its not shocking. My Etec 600 was a $3800 upgrade option on my sled, took it right to $10,000.
garyl62
Active member
Great to hear. I've never rented from Dans, actually never rented at all, but a lot of my riding buddies have sold out for one reason or another and I'm trying to revive a "guys weekend" with some of them for mid February. I called Dan's just to get a little info and they told me they were close to selling out for when I was looking so when I saw this thread that was fresh in my mind. Glad it worked out for you guys and hope he gets the bug enough to get one himself.
Hope you told them you got their name from a thread on John's site, and used the Directory to get in touch with them!
The resale difference after one season vs. Two as a rental will be huge. These sleds take a beating and miles get piled on when the snow is good.
A two year old rental sled will easily have 5,000+ miles where a single season likely sees 2,000-2,500+.
That will likely be a severe hit on value, plus they will be replacing a lot more parts and have to invest in more maintenance.
A two year old rental sled will easily have 5,000+ miles where a single season likely sees 2,000-2,500+.
That will likely be a severe hit on value, plus they will be replacing a lot more parts and have to invest in more maintenance.
caged_beagle
Member
Sorry if it came across that way but I wasn't trying ot be a jerk. Just trying to get you to see the other side of the fence, Big Guy. geeesh
All be it a short time, but yes. Thanks whitedust!
↑Great point, Mark. But why would they be mad if they were me? Is it because I know you?
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2500 miles a year on a rental?? That sled will never make money unless people are only riding 50 miles a day. Are sled will average anywhere from 4500-9000 miles per year! And that's not getting rich. Plain and simple it's not an easy business. Very few people will actually come forward and admit when they are resposible for damage, argue with you when you point out damage, come up with a reason why it was the sleds fault that damage happened. You learn to really appreciate an honest person in a hurry and I'm always more likely to cut that guy a break on the damage he did. It might sound bad but please try to think of it from the business mans side of it. We started off renting decent clean used sleds for $100/day then moved on to new lowend sleds for $150-$175/day. More damage and more stories and it starts to wear you out. Now, everything we use is higher end more expensive 4 stroke sleds and we have less damage. $100/day sleds will bring you $100 customers and headaches. No business is easy in todays economy.
Chad@M&M
Chad@M&M
Mark@TimberlineSports
New member
Well said Chad.
-Mark
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-Mark
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No problem, Caged Beagle. I understand that it's a tough business. I didn't realize that some rentals would rack up that many miles (Chad). Yeah, there's not too many people interested in a sled with 9000-18,000 miles (after two years)!
I guess it's just a fact that this hobby is a lot more expensive than some others out there, and sledding is not going to be for everyone. I just enjoy going with as many people as possible, and seeing our riding group dwindle every year is a bummer.
I guess it's just a fact that this hobby is a lot more expensive than some others out there, and sledding is not going to be for everyone. I just enjoy going with as many people as possible, and seeing our riding group dwindle every year is a bummer.
Mark@TimberlineSports
New member
You have NO IDEA John....... LOL!
"Best rental excuses" could be a whole website!
-Mark
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"Best rental excuses" could be a whole website!
-Mark
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I waver between renting and owning all the time. I don't get to ride much right now because of young children and since I don't live in the snow-belt (or where the snow belt was when it used to snow in the winter). Economically, I think renting is a no-brainer for people like me who don't ride much. But, I like the feeling of owning a sled, and, when cash is tight and I'm trying to figure out how much I can afford to ride, I like that the incremental cost is much lower, since I already have the sunk cost in owning. I know that doesn't make sense economically.
The cheapest route for the sport is probably buying an older $2000 sled that has high miles but wasn't beat on. For the most part, you can't lose that way if you maintain it.
If I was thinking about trying the sport out by renting, I think I'd drive West and ride out there. To me, the gas and oil costs add up the most when trail riding, so if you're renting, you might as well go out there and ride where the snow is virtually guaranteed and the costs end up being more reasonable since you don't blow through all the gas and oil you do when you ride 250+ mile days and then sit in a bar at the end of the night.
The cheapest route for the sport is probably buying an older $2000 sled that has high miles but wasn't beat on. For the most part, you can't lose that way if you maintain it.
If I was thinking about trying the sport out by renting, I think I'd drive West and ride out there. To me, the gas and oil costs add up the most when trail riding, so if you're renting, you might as well go out there and ride where the snow is virtually guaranteed and the costs end up being more reasonable since you don't blow through all the gas and oil you do when you ride 250+ mile days and then sit in a bar at the end of the night.
Mark, you're right, someone needs to start a thread for most creative story on rentals! Had a younger guy tell me that the engine light(on a 4 stroke) started flashing and the engine locked up and he lost control and slid off the trail and into a stump. I applauded him for his creativity and told him I'd believe him IF the engine was still indeed locked up....it started right up. I looked at him and said "your paying", not one of his buddy's stood up for him. It's crazy how much you learn to appreciate the guy that walks in and says "I broke it", I instantly want to cut him a deal, he didn't make me look the sled over to see if I'd notice the damage, just honest, what a concept.
Chad@M&M
Chad@M&M
That sled doesn't make you money when it's in the shop waiting to be fixed. And remember, that hourly rate has to help cover not only the employee working to earn it, also a business loan(in most cases), a power bill, a water bill, a heat bill, business insurance, taxes on top of more taxes, etc...etc...
Chad@M&M
Chad@M&M
I'm a business owner too I understand the costs the public doesn't see or think about. Every month i start out 35k in the hole just to turn on the lights. Joe public doesn't get that.
My point is that the rental shop isn't fixing broken rentals to break even or out of the goodness of your heart. Repairs and damage are built into the business plan. If you're not building the lost opportunity cost into the price of repairs,money is walking out your door, that you deserve to keep. If someone wrecks your sled it shouldn't hit your bottom line if your agreement is written right.
I'm not bashing the shops at all. Quite the opposite. But having seen newbies pay $250 to replace a set of junk "wear bars" it occurred to me that rental agencies probably don't mind a little damage now and then. Especially in the middle of the week.
Sorry if I'm off topic.
I'll go back to praying that I can pull the boat out of storage next week. Hoping otherwise hasn't panned out so far.
My point is that the rental shop isn't fixing broken rentals to break even or out of the goodness of your heart. Repairs and damage are built into the business plan. If you're not building the lost opportunity cost into the price of repairs,money is walking out your door, that you deserve to keep. If someone wrecks your sled it shouldn't hit your bottom line if your agreement is written right.
I'm not bashing the shops at all. Quite the opposite. But having seen newbies pay $250 to replace a set of junk "wear bars" it occurred to me that rental agencies probably don't mind a little damage now and then. Especially in the middle of the week.
Sorry if I'm off topic.
I'll go back to praying that I can pull the boat out of storage next week. Hoping otherwise hasn't panned out so far.