Combating Rising Fuel Costs

This month we asked members how they combat rising fuel prices. If you have an idea for a survey for CRA members, please send your request to CRA at Info@CalRental.org. 

1. What type of Rentals do you have?
Party Rental: 36% (9 responses)
General Tool Rental: 52% (13 responses)
Both General Tool and Party: 12% (3 responses)

2. Party Rentals – Do you have a minimum order for delivery?
Yes: 38% (5 responses)
No: 62% (8 responses)
If yes, how much?
1. $100.
2. $500.
3. $25/local $200/out of county.
4. $100 locally, increasing by distance and geographic hinderances.
5. $60 each way.
6. $1500.

3. Party Rental Charges:
Do you charge a Fuel Surcharge: 18% (2 responses)
Or, did you Increase Delivery & Pick-up Rate: 82% (9 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Both.
2. We used to charge a flat rate based on the city. We have gone to a base rate by city, and add a milage factor to the base rate. This way, we can change the “per mile” cost as fuel continues to rise, without having to change the rate on each city.

4. Are venues requiring more Same Day Delivery & Pick-up?
Yes: 36% (5 responses)
No: 64% (9 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Currently, most of the venues we deal with have gone to same day, mainly due to the demand they have for their facility. Pre-COVID, it was mostly Saturday events, but now they are booking 2-4 events/weddings per week. We feel that at some point within the next year or so, that will change.
2. No more than usual.....we just are not doing this year, no help.

5. Are you doing more or less Same Day Delivery & Pick-up?
More: 50% (6 responses)
Less: 50% (6 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Depends on if they want to pay extra fee.
2. Much more, venues that previouly allowed storage over the weekends now requiring after hours pickups.
3. NA.
4. No help.

6. Equipment Rentals – How are Delivery / Pick-Up Charges determined (select all that apply):
Area: 82% (14 responses)
Mileage: 65% (11 responses)
Type of Truck: 35% (6 responses)
Time Restraints: 59% (10 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Charge by the hour using Google maps.
2. All of the above.

7. Equipment Rental Charges:
Do you charge a Fuel Surcharge: 7% (1 response)
Or, did you Increase Delivery & Pick-up Rate: 93% (14 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Both.
2. Both.

8. Are you changing or scheduling your Delivery & Pick-up Routes for more efficient fuel consumption?
Yes: 63% (12 responses)
No: 37% (7 responses)
Additional comments:
1. We do the best we can to scheule our routes as effecient as possible.
2. Trying to...difficult sometimes.

9. We welcome your comments and ideas you may have on combating fuel costs.
1. We’ve just reduced the distance we are willing to travel and increased the cost..
2. Thank you for doing these surveys!.
3. GREAT survey!!.
4. Let’s Go Brandon.
5. Great questions for the Party sector...thanks for separating them :).
6. There is no way to combat it.
7. Get a new president.

10. Survey Ideas
1. Repeal the minimum wage. By order of the “Peaky Blinders.”
2. How are people doing with hiring – especially drivers?
3. :)
4. Labor rates for several positions.