Case study:  CAR RENTAL PROCESS

The process of hiring a car is not always the easiest; there are hundreds of companies on the market all vying for attention. These companies continue to offer various attractive incentives and services. For the consumer however, there are a number of different factors that should be involved when making a decision. The following car hire process shows how customers would embark on looking for that perfect car hire experience.

When trying to find a company there are three main options. It is worth remembering at this stage that the earlier the car to be hired is booked the cheaper the price will be. Another important piece of advice is for the customer to seek a range of quotes, and then consider the best value by comparing prices and services.

The first of the three options for customers is to go directly to a large multinational agency. This can be done by the customer him/herself, using the Internet; a phone book to lookup a number; or in person. The second option is to utilise the services of a car hire broker.   This can result in a good price although information on the company being used can be limited. The final option is to wait until you arrive on the day you want to hire the car and then decide on a suitable car. This is by far the poorest option and could result in a far higher price.

Car hire companies offer a number of extras to the original rental agreement. One of these is additional drivers; it can be beneficial to add another driver if you are travelling a great distance, but this will however cost extra. Child seats are available from the majority of car hire companies. In Europe it is now illegal for a child under twelve not to have a special seat. When travelling in snowy areas it can be worth hiring some snow chains - not only will they make travelling safer but in some countries they are mandatory. One of the most important extras for the customer to buy is the excess waiver; fundamentally this will prevent you having to pay an astronomical excess should the vehicle be damaged. When collecting the hired car, it is important to have all of the relevant documentation with you. This includes both parts of you license; a copy of the rental contract; and in most cases a credit card. When actually picking up the vehicle it is vital to check it for damage and to report this before you leave to ensure that you are not stung with a repair bill on your return. Similarly, when returning the car, check it for damage once again, try to return the vehicle during working hours and check the car carefully to make sure that you haven’t left anything behind.

By following this advice, it should be possible for customers to hire a car and have an enjoyable trip. With the right approach to finding an effective service and understanding what extras you require, a fun, entertaining and relaxing journey should be attainable.

Identity and list any five (5) system functions which could be used in drawing a Use case diagram based on the case scenario above.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

1 Booking a car 2 Paying for the car 3 Checking the car for damage ... View the full answer