Fatcat, the discount that they offer for renting on contract vs. month-to-month usually yields only negligible discounts. In any quotations that I was offered, the monthly discount was only about QR 200 or 300 if I signed on for a one or two year contract. I did not see what the discount was for 5 year contracts, but it may have been higher. I suspect it couldn't have been much higher than a discount of QR 500 per month off the original price, which would still leave them a very healthy margin, if you check my original calculations.
But that begs the question -- who would have a five year employment contract and would have the need for a rental car for five years? And would you be comfortable locking yourself into a five year contract with ANY company in Doha? If so, you're a much more trusting soul than I!!!
I don't believe my figures are misleading -- they clearly demonstrate that the pricing structure being imposed by some of the rental companies is excessive and does not tie to the actual cost of ownership. There ARE however, still companies out there which ARE offering rentals at reasonable rates. For new people arriving in the country, it's important for them to see what kind of pricing is reasonable, and when they are getting fleeced!
Fatcat, the discount that they offer for renting on contract vs. month-to-month usually yields only negligible discounts. In any quotations that I was offered, the monthly discount was only about QR 200 or 300 if I signed on for a one or two year contract. I did not see what the discount was for 5 year contracts, but it may have been higher. I suspect it couldn't have been much higher than a discount of QR 500 per month off the original price, which would still leave them a very healthy margin, if you check my original calculations.
But that begs the question -- who would have a five year employment contract and would have the need for a rental car for five years? And would you be comfortable locking yourself into a five year contract with ANY company in Doha? If so, you're a much more trusting soul than I!!!
I don't believe my figures are misleading -- they clearly demonstrate that the pricing structure being imposed by some of the rental companies is excessive and does not tie to the actual cost of ownership. There ARE however, still companies out there which ARE offering rentals at reasonable rates. For new people arriving in the country, it's important for them to see what kind of pricing is reasonable, and when they are getting fleeced!
Cheers,
Stacey