Try Before You Buy - a trucking treat

Guest Truck and Van IVECO Daily demonstrator at the Angel of the North

From door to door, or showroom floor, people love to try before they buy. We all love a free sample too. I’m not even through the first paragraph and I’m already distracted by the thought of a second helping. Or one for the road. But one glance at me, and you’d know that I don’t shy away from indulgence, or calories. 

In the dynamic world of PR, we're not just representing our clients; we're embodying their brand values and essence. And what better way to understand these values than by immersing ourselves in the products and services we champion? It's like stepping into another's shoes. It’s easy when the ‘shoes’ might be Dunlop tyres or walking through the hallowed halls of Selfridges.

Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to experience a spectrum of client offerings. From dining in Michelin-starred restaurants to engaging with cutting-edge brands, each experience has been invaluable. However, the real challenge arises when a client's offering strays from my usual routine. That's when true understanding and empathy come into play.

For instance, the refurbishment of our Airbnb property on the Tyne turned me into a makeshift tradesman at the end of last year. The mission? To take a large dull flat, with a great view and transform it into the most opulent property on the Tyne. On a budget. 

To get a good job, you need to employ professionals, but to keep costs down, I elected to deal with some of the logistics myself, including the transport of the new kitchen and taking what I believe to be the world's most unwieldy sofa, an astonishing eBay find, northward. 

Enter the IVECO Daily from Guest Truck and Van – a true beast of a vehicle, and a godsend for my ambitious project.

This wasn't just any test drive; it was a series of journeys taking in Birmingham, Leeds Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne and back. And then back again. The Daily stood out as a proper commercial vehicle, making it easy to see how the Transit is more suited for short hops rather than the marathon. Nestled in the Daily's air-sprung seat, every road bump was transformed into a little ripple, making the journey surprisingly comfortable.

The kitchen factory in Leeds was my first stop, and the Daily proved its mettle. It swallowed up pre-assembled units and a three-metre breakfast bar countertop with ease. It felt like a proper van on the loading bay, amongst the much bigger trucks. 

The loadspace, clad in robust plywood lining courtesy of Guest’s own Vehicle Lining Services, hinted at many a journey and extended test drive already made, and standing ready for many, many more.

The return to Birmingham was through one of the worst storms of the season, but battling through the worst of British weather on the M1, the Daily just ploughed straight on, and that magical seat made me feel more like a sea captain than a van driver.

Then there was the saga of the sofa – a bargain behemoth from Cheshire needing relocation to Newcastle. The Daily's large side door was a godsend in manoeuvring without injuring myself and it went in a treat. It came out a treat too, into a ground floor storage unit. On the journey we talked ourselves out of trying to get it up four flights of stairs. In fact, once it was in the van, I’d already dismissed the idea of me tackling any stairs with it. In the end, a team of specialist movers had to take over. Watching them curse in Geordie as they wrestled the sofa up to the fourth floor, I knew I'd played it smart.

The Daily is aptly named, a steadfast companion for daily trials and tribulations. Its hi-matic gearbox, combined with the robust 2.2-litre diesel engine, made for a drive that was as enjoyable as it was efficient.

Guest’s demonstrator model, while close to entry level, was more than adequate for my needs. It provided a commendable driving environment, showcasing the vehicle's versatility and reliability. And it’s also good to demonstrate to fleet operators that even the bargain end of the range can be attractive to drivers, because after all, a happy driver is even more important to a fleet manager than a range of reliable and economical vehicles. 

Interacting with Guest’s vehicle booking system was a breeze. 

As their PR, I've covered a variety of their vehicles, particularly the unusually configured or alternatively fuelled, and the feedback from customers and collaborators is always the same: quiet admiration for the products and service. 

At the end of the day, what more could you want from a client? A solid product, satisfied customers, and a story that's a joy to tell. Thanks for the loan of your Daily, it’s a treat. 

And the sofa, in all its previously cherished splendour will be exiting via the balcony if it ever needs to leave the building in the future.