Tied into a contract you're not happy with?

If you are unhappy with the way the contract is being managed, perhaps because you inherited a contract
that you didn’t negotiate, don’t despair.

“Don’t regard the contract as being set in stone,” says Peter Bonney, fleet controller at the Salvation Army. “If there’s something you don’t like, re-negotiate.”

The FN50 companies Fleet News spoke to all advised letting your provider know about your concerns and seeking a resolution.

Peter Cakebread, managing director of Marshall Leasing, says: “Most providers will adopt a common sense approach to any reasonable concern you might have. 

“We believe in being flexible after agreements have been signed and not simply resorting to a literal interpretation of contractual clauses.”

Bonney adds: “Assuming you haven’t guaranteed the provider a certain amount of business in the future you can always call things to a halt. Say to them, ‘before we order any more cars I want to change the terms’.

“If it’s not a major change they might apply it to existing vehicles on contract as well as all new orders.

“If it is major change and the leasing company feels it will cost it, it will probably just apply it going forward.”

If you can’t reach an agreement you can seek help from industry bodies such as ACFO, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) or the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA).