Use these fleet leasing tips to get the best arrangement for your fleet.
 
Fleet Manager: 
Always ask for the Fleet Manager if you have to lease from a dealership.  Go directly to the person who is equipped to provide you with the customer service you need.
 
Leasign Source: 
Leasing from an auto manufacturer through one of their dealerships is preferrable to leasing through an independent leasing company.  Manufacturers offers discounts and other incentives and even financing to make it more attractive.
 
Step Lease:  
If your business is cash strapped but need to build your fleet ask for a "Step Lease".  This type of lease will allow you to make the minimum payments in the early months of the lease while you work on increase your cash flow.
 
Lease Period: 
Pay attention to the lease period.  Dealerships will try to shorten the lease period in order to move you over to the new model that will be coming soon. 
 
Financing Source: 
You can finance your lease fleet through a bank loan, an independnet leasing company or financing from the dealership.  If you have a line of credit with the bank don't use it to finance the lease.  Instead use it for other business operations and use the finance offered by the dealership or an independent leasing company.  It's taking an additional debit, but it leaves you with more working capital to grow your business.
 

Shop Around: 
Shop around to see what others have to offer.  Get quotes from different fleet managers.  Use bids from other dealers to add leverage during the negotations with the dealership you want to do business with.

 
Mileage Limit & Fee:
Pay attention to excess mileage charges.  Leases are written with a mileage cap and any amount of mileage driven over that limit will incurr an additional cost.  This could be very expensive to a small business.
 
Leasing Source:  If you have a requirement for different types of vehicles try to get all of them from the same source.  This makes the process of leasing and managing the fleet more efficient and economical.
 
Downpayment:  Don't make a down payment on a lease.  If the vehicle is stolen or damaged beyond repair you are not entitled to a refund on your down payment.  Also, many states require taxes be paid on any down payment on a lease.  Insist that any down payment be rolled up into the monthly lease payments.
 
Timing:  The best time to lease a vehicle is when the new models have been introduced.  The newer the vehicle the higher the residual value.  Newer vehicles also have a higher cost so, you will have to negotiate a good price.  New vehicles are introduced in July and October every year.