Why did Reto switch from car sharing to car subscription?

As a former regular car sharing customer, Reto couldn't let go of his desire to have his own car. In a TV commercial, he finally discovered Carvolution's car subscription with an all-inclusive package. Too good to be true?

In this interview, Reto explains why he decided to take the plunge and get his own car with a subscription, why people around him were sceptical and whether he regrets his decision today.

When did you first hear about Carvolution?

I discovered Carvolution a while ago when I happened to see the advert on TV. I had used car sharing before, but I had been thinking for a while that I wanted to be more flexible by having my own car. At the end of 2023, I actively looked around and Carvolution's car subscription was simply the best fit for me.

What were your needs, what convinced you to take out a car subscription?

I realised that I wanted to have my own car without having to share it with countless other people. It was also important to me not to make a long-term commitment and spend a lot of money every month. That's why the Audi Q2 with the down payment was just right for me. I saw the monthly instalment and knew that was it!

The 18-month term was also ideal. I was able to test the car subscription without committing myself straight away. That was a big advantage over leasing.

Did you already know someone in your environment who had a car subscription?

Yes, a colleague at work already had a car subscription. I then asked her for her opinion. Obviously, it's an advantage to have someone around you to ask. She said that she was very happy with the car subscription and that it was definitely worth it.

What did people around you say about your decision to choose Carvolution?

Some people were very sceptical. For example, I have a colleague at work who took out a leasing contract at the same time. At first, I was always told that the cost of a subscription was much higher than leasing.

I always argued that you have to compare the total costs. With Carvolution I have an all-inclusive subscription. That means I don't have to worry about anything - Insurance, taxes, tyres, service and more are included, and I only have to pay for petrol and parking. I am therefore convinced that the subscription is worthwhile for me.

Did you compare the costs with leasing or did you already decide for a car subscription?

Definitely. Leasing often looks cheaper at first, but when you factor in all the additional costs, the subscription is often the better choice. I did the maths myself and quickly realised that I could make real savings with a car subscription, especially compared to the sometimes high rental costs for long car sharing trips.

Are you now convinced of your car subscription?

Absolutely! The flexibility is great. And the car is always there when I need it. After the short contract at the beginning, I'm now convinced and will definitely choose a longer term next time.

Did you already know it would be the Audi or did you have other models in mind?

I've often driven an Audi in car sharing, so I was already familiar with the handling and quality. What particularly impressed me about the Audi Q2 was the extensive safety equipment and the size of the car. It shouldn't be too small or too big - it was just the right model for me.

What do you think is the biggest difference to car sharing?

The biggest difference is definitely the flexibility and constant availability of your own car with a subscription. With car sharing, I always had to leave the car for a certain amount of time. For example, if I was visiting friends or family and wanted to stay longer, I sometimes had to leave early. That bothered me and doesn't happen any more!

Initially, the tow-bar was missing from your Q2 - what exactly happened and how was the situation dealt with?

Before I signed the contract, I looked through it again and noticed that the tow-bar was not listed. This was important to me as I need it for my hobby. I made a quick phone call and five minutes later the corrected contract was sent to me. So it was dealt with really quickly.

Do you have any suggestions for improvement that you would like to share with us?

Perhaps you could explain the car return process in more detail. Many people have concerns about this, even though you are transparent about the requirements and potential costs. But an explanatory video would certainly be great.