FLEETS should shop around for more than the cheapest quote when looking for a contract hire supplier. Value for money should be judged on more criteria than cost alone according to Godfrey Davis Contract Hire managing director John Lyons.

Warning against the dangers of treating leasing and fleet management as simple commodities, Lyons said fleet operators should adopt a more open-minded approach when considering their needs.

'Although price is an important factor in a company arriving at the decision to award a financial or service contract, it is not the sole adjudicator of best value,' said Lyons. 'Professional buyers and specifiers should look further than the bottom line and examine in detail exactly what they are getting for their money and make decisions on quality and service criteria as well as price.'

Lyons recommended a more open, consultative approach to negotiations with suppliers, where the client spells out their objectives and the motives behind them, and asks the service company to provide solutions.