This article is part of a charter special. The contents:
For years, there has been fierce competition behind the scenes in the charter industry. It takes place between the traditional charter agencies and the newer online portals. The former have a personal presence at trade fairs and offices for their customers. The latter emerged in the wake of the online boom. They are often provided with ample capital by venture investors. They want to score points with a very lean employee structure and a global market presence rather than one limited to one country. They aim to roll up the market with favourable prices, real-time bookings around the clock, seven days a week and uncomplicated payment methods.
Offensive online advertising to attract customers
The advertising is aimed at customers on the web: thanks to Google Adverts, many online agencies appear at the top of the hit list when sailors search for offers using terms such as "Charter Mallorca". Among the online-savvy customers reached in this way are many newcomers who have not yet had any contact with the traditional agency market or have never been to a boat show.
Important criterion: Where is the jurisdiction?
Despite having a German-language website, not all online providers have a registered office in this country or accept German law for their contracts. France, Austria, Slovakia, Spain - the jurisdiction sometimes varies depending on the start-up's home country. A look at the terms and conditions of some online platforms shows this. If a dispute arises between the customer and agency over a booking because, for example, the promised free equipment for the yacht has to be paid for on site, compensation has to be claimed abroad - which in most cases is simply not worthwhile. Although it has become apparent in recent years that German courts are increasingly allowing German customers to sue foreign companies at their place of residence in Germany, this is not (yet) the rule.
Another disadvantage of some online agencies is that some do not offer either insurance certificates or insolvency insurance. These are often standard with traditional agencies. In other words, if the agency or fleet operator goes bankrupt abroad, an insurance policy replaces customer payments made. In other EU countries, such insurance policies in favour of crews are hardly common; they are a special feature of the German market. In this case, it only helps if the customer takes out insolvency insurance themselves, which is available from German insurers such as Pantaenius or Hamburger Yacht-Versicherung. However, the customer then also bears the costs for this.
What you should look out for with an online charter
- Check the registered office and place of jurisdiction on the website or in the terms and conditions of the offer sent to you. Germany is the first choice; in the event of a dispute, you can then sue under German law. Legal action abroad is often lengthy and usually not financially viable.
- Ask which services are explicitly included in the price. These should then be listed in the boarding pass that you receive shortly before the charter. If the agency promises more than the provider offers free of charge on site, some fleet operators charge the agency for this later, not the customer.
- Are there only standard advertising photos of the shipyard of your choice or real photos showing the yacht name, fleet name, cabins and saloon? The latter allows a much better view of the state of maintenance and equipment. Ask for the reason if there are only shipyard photos - or change the provider.
- Enquire about securing your down payments via a security certificate or external insurers. You can always take out the latter solution yourself, but then at your own expense.
- If you have questions about the area and boat, you should check the quality of the information. If the clerk "swims" with detailed questions, you are better off with a traditional agency if in doubt
