Does anyone really win during a price war? At a glance it's hard to see the downside to a hugely discounted price on your event equipment rentals, but there are many things you should be taking in to consideration. Your budget is always going to be a major player in the decision making process, but do not forget to consider things such as equipment quality and cleanliness, customer service, dependability, experience and accountability.
Generally speaking, items being offered for rent at drastically reduced prices early in the season represent a desperate attempt to generate cash flow. While it's true that there is a definite slow season in the event rentals business, any company deeply slashing prices to generate off-season income may not have staying power in the industry. No bride needs the added stress of finding out the company she rented the chairs for her wedding ceremony from has gone out of business right before her special day, leaving her scrambling at the last minute to find what she needs. You also need to ask yourself how they are able to offer such a deep discount. If the price is 50% less than anywhere else, are you really getting the same quality of product? Are there some hidden costs they have not included in their price that are included in another companies pricing? Are you getting the same quality and level of service?
When it comes to chiavari and garden chairs, you need to be aware that there are many different products on the market, and not all of these chairs are created equal. These chairs are even available in different materials, such as wood or resin, and the quality of the same style of chair made from a different material can be vastly different. While some may consider wood chiavari chairs to be more "traditional" to the style, there are certainly resin chiavari chairs on the market that are stronger, more durable and look "new" far longer than the wood alternative. When you are considering a rental company be sure to see the product you are actually renting. Ask if you can see the chairs stored in the warehouse, not just the sample in the showroom. Seeing the chairs in the warehouse shows you the condition of the equipment you will be renting and you will be able to see if it needs cleaning, painting or maintaining. You should also try the chair out by sitting in it.
While investigating any "too good to be true" rental pricing, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Added extras can quickly add up, making that deep discount completely disappear. Is there an added delivery fee? Does one company include set-up and take down of the chairs, while the other does not? Does the rental price for the chiavari chairs include the cushion, or is that an extra per item fee? Unfortunately not every company is 100% forthcoming in what their pricing includes, and they often find sneaky ways of adding in extra fees. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions to be sure what you are getting for your money. An honest company who feels they have fairly set their rental prices will have no issues answering your questions.
Rental companies offering deep discounts are racing themselves to the bottom of the food chain. Eventually they won't be able to generate enough income to survive.
