Exercise Your Power
Kevin F. Clune, CLP
It is becoming an all too familiar story. A current Clune leasing customer who had been happy with our service when they financed their phone system with us reported to us that they had a bad experience with another leasing company. They had booked their copier lease with the company, which was recommended by the vendor. They were unaware that they had the power to contact Clune for this lease also.
They reached the end of their lease with the other leasing company over three months ago, and they are now being assessed unexpected additional payments as well as exorbitant return fees, and to make matters worse, they are paying month-to-month charges while they wait for the leasing company to pick up the equipment.
Here are some of the pitfalls that are common practice among our competitors.
A current edition of a prominent leasing industry newsletter also reported the abuses experienced by a franchisee of a well-known fast food chain. They included interim rent and other surprise fees that were compounded by late charges and threats of damaging credit reports when the owner challenged the leasing company about the unexpected electronic withdrawals.
Unfortunately, neither business was aware of these potential hazards when they signed their lease contracts nor did they realize they had the power to secure their own financing. Sometimes it works out to go with the flow and accept what is offered without question but, as we learned in these two stories, it can backfire.
In the case of the Clune customer, they trusted their vendor’s suggestion. The franchisee put their confidence in the recommendation of their corporate headquarters. Even though the vendor or the corporate office may offer a financing option from their "in house" provider or their manufacturer, you can exercise your power to shop them.
As an independent financing source, Clune & Company can directly serve leasing customers. If you are a business consumer who is acquiring capital equipment, you can contact Clune for a lease quote once you have negotiated the price from the vendor of your choice.
You have the power to make your own financing decisions.
Kevin F. Clune, CLP
Clune & Company
