Selfdrive Updates-Carzonrent copies zoomcar
Last time I rented a car from Carzonrent was sometime in June (Grand i10). Since then many things have changed. Carzonrent’s self drive division- MYLES, seem to be copying its rival ZoomCar in many aspects. Consider these
1. Carzonrent-Myles has introduced same models and same colours as that of ZoomCar. Carzonrent Myles used to have white/silver coloured cars (most of them) in their fleet- now they are buying cars of different colours- exact colour that of Zoomcar (Figo- Blue and orange, Amaze- Blue, Ciaz- Purple etc. Zoomcar was first to introduce Amaze, Ciaz etc- carzonrent has added same models. Maintaining some kind of uniqueness in models and colours would have been nice, than copying just like that.
2. Carzonrent-Myles has reduced deposit amount from 30k to 5k, to match Zoomcar- Good move. No complaints on this part.
3. Carzonrent-Myles has increased no of location in each city- earlier I had to go all the way to Chitlapakkam to pickup, now I have a Myles counter within few kms from my home. Great.
4. Carzonrent-Myles has introduced an insanely low speed limit of 100kmph. Zoomcar has 125kmph. Myles could have at least matched that if not higher. Anyway, this warrants a separate post, so hold on.- Now live here.
5. Carzonrent-Myles has started charging extra for weekends
6. Carzonrent-Myles has started adding their logo on the front doors-again idea copied from Zoomcar
But I am happy they haven’t copied ZoomCar’s “fuel cost included” policy- which involves charging extra to customers on rental with promise of free kms (upto a limit) and then charging insane amounts if that limit is breached. This ill conceived pricing policy remains my single most pain point why I avoid renting from Zoom. Per km fuel cost is usually about Rs 3 to Rs 4, but at Zoomcar we need to pay Rs 12- Rs 15 per km once we cross the limit. I was told this is a “convenience feature” where customers don’t have to worry about refueling. Might be convenient for one day rental, but I would rather same some money instead of this ‘convenience’. When I go on long drive, it is not like Zoomcar guys will come and fill the tank whenever it goes dry- I need to pay a huge rental in advance, again need to tank up, pay to fuel station and then wait for reimbursement from Zoomcar. Where exactly is the convenience here? What if I lose the receipt? Now Zoomcar has introduced 3 tiers of pricing based on km usage- 120 kms, 240kms and 360 kms… Still doesn’t meet my needs- Unless I can plan my trip perfectly well to the last km, this policy is often a rip off to customers- what if I had to change my plans and drive 360 kms instead of 120? What if my usage turns out to be just 50kms a day? It is a lot peaceful with Carzonrent- I can fill as I need and return the car full tank.
7. Carzonrent-Myles now offers pickup & drop service- which is brilliant- it was there earlier before Myles brand was introduced. Zoomcar still doesn’t offer this service. If they can support one way rental, that will be icing on the cake.
On my past few rentals, the Myles attendant would take my photo with the car just before I leave the premises. I thought it is for sharing on their facebook page, but don’t remember seeing my pic on their social media channel till date. May be the real reason of taking those photos is to give it to police in case I don’t return the car on time.
But even after several years, Carzonrent-Myles has failed to incorporate a simple feature on their website that allows booking modifications. Sometime back they made big announcement of new website- mylescars.com but this site is just a front end that captures basic details and reroutes to earlier carzonrent booking page. Once booked, there is no option to modify. Only way to change your booking is to cancel the booking and make fresh booking. I think Carzonrent should change their IT vendor- they have great cars, policy and potential, but stupid website/technological limitations are preventing them from offering more convenience and features to customers.
Zoomcar has stopped pickup.drop off between midnight and 6 AM, while Myles continues to operate 24x7.
Overall I can sense that Carzonrent-Myles is stunned by the phenomenal growth Zoomcar had over past few years-which is at the cost of Carzonrent. Myles is making several improvements in their product offering, policy and rates, which is all good, except for that stupid 100kmph speed limit.
My take on Myles 100 kmph speed limit here. Read a comprehensive comparison of Zoomcar & Myles here
1. Carzonrent-Myles has introduced same models and same colours as that of ZoomCar. Carzonrent Myles used to have white/silver coloured cars (most of them) in their fleet- now they are buying cars of different colours- exact colour that of Zoomcar (Figo- Blue and orange, Amaze- Blue, Ciaz- Purple etc. Zoomcar was first to introduce Amaze, Ciaz etc- carzonrent has added same models. Maintaining some kind of uniqueness in models and colours would have been nice, than copying just like that.
2. Carzonrent-Myles has reduced deposit amount from 30k to 5k, to match Zoomcar- Good move. No complaints on this part.
3. Carzonrent-Myles has increased no of location in each city- earlier I had to go all the way to Chitlapakkam to pickup, now I have a Myles counter within few kms from my home. Great.
4. Carzonrent-Myles has introduced an insanely low speed limit of 100kmph. Zoomcar has 125kmph. Myles could have at least matched that if not higher. Anyway, this warrants a separate post, so hold on.- Now live here.
5. Carzonrent-Myles has started charging extra for weekends
6. Carzonrent-Myles has started adding their logo on the front doors-again idea copied from Zoomcar
But I am happy they haven’t copied ZoomCar’s “fuel cost included” policy- which involves charging extra to customers on rental with promise of free kms (upto a limit) and then charging insane amounts if that limit is breached. This ill conceived pricing policy remains my single most pain point why I avoid renting from Zoom. Per km fuel cost is usually about Rs 3 to Rs 4, but at Zoomcar we need to pay Rs 12- Rs 15 per km once we cross the limit. I was told this is a “convenience feature” where customers don’t have to worry about refueling. Might be convenient for one day rental, but I would rather same some money instead of this ‘convenience’. When I go on long drive, it is not like Zoomcar guys will come and fill the tank whenever it goes dry- I need to pay a huge rental in advance, again need to tank up, pay to fuel station and then wait for reimbursement from Zoomcar. Where exactly is the convenience here? What if I lose the receipt? Now Zoomcar has introduced 3 tiers of pricing based on km usage- 120 kms, 240kms and 360 kms… Still doesn’t meet my needs- Unless I can plan my trip perfectly well to the last km, this policy is often a rip off to customers- what if I had to change my plans and drive 360 kms instead of 120? What if my usage turns out to be just 50kms a day? It is a lot peaceful with Carzonrent- I can fill as I need and return the car full tank.
7. Carzonrent-Myles now offers pickup & drop service- which is brilliant- it was there earlier before Myles brand was introduced. Zoomcar still doesn’t offer this service. If they can support one way rental, that will be icing on the cake.
On my past few rentals, the Myles attendant would take my photo with the car just before I leave the premises. I thought it is for sharing on their facebook page, but don’t remember seeing my pic on their social media channel till date. May be the real reason of taking those photos is to give it to police in case I don’t return the car on time.
But even after several years, Carzonrent-Myles has failed to incorporate a simple feature on their website that allows booking modifications. Sometime back they made big announcement of new website- mylescars.com but this site is just a front end that captures basic details and reroutes to earlier carzonrent booking page. Once booked, there is no option to modify. Only way to change your booking is to cancel the booking and make fresh booking. I think Carzonrent should change their IT vendor- they have great cars, policy and potential, but stupid website/technological limitations are preventing them from offering more convenience and features to customers.
Zoomcar has stopped pickup.drop off between midnight and 6 AM, while Myles continues to operate 24x7.
Overall I can sense that Carzonrent-Myles is stunned by the phenomenal growth Zoomcar had over past few years-which is at the cost of Carzonrent. Myles is making several improvements in their product offering, policy and rates, which is all good, except for that stupid 100kmph speed limit.
My take on Myles 100 kmph speed limit here. Read a comprehensive comparison of Zoomcar & Myles here
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