At a Glance • Key Takeaways
- Automated Efficiency: Streamline online bookings, live availability scheduling, and customer communication without manual intervention.
- Live Capacity & Conflict Prevention: Prevent double-booking across staff, rooms, activity sessions, or rental fleet assets in real time.
- 0% Platform Booking Fees: SmartBookings does not charge transaction fees or take percentage cuts of your ticket sales or customer payments.
Overview: Boosting Hire Revenue with Packages
Packaging multiple rental items together into a discounted bundle is the single most effective way to increase your Average Order Value (AOV). Customers love convenience and savings, while your delivery drivers deliver multiple items on a single van trip.
- Inflatables & Parties: "Toddler Ultimate Package: 12x12ft Bouncy Castle + 18-Piece Soft Play Shapes + Foam Ball Pond + 4 Didi Cars" (£165 instead of £195 separately).
- Marquees & Weddings: "6m x 12m Marquee Package: Clear-Span Marquee + Pleated Ivory Linings + 60 Chairs + 10 Round Tables + Festoon Lighting".
- Building & Groundwork: "Excavator & Dumper Combo: 1.5-Tonne Mini Digger + 1-Tonne High-Tip Tracked Dumper + Plant Trailer".
Step-by-Step: Creating a New Package
1 Go to Products > Packages in the left admin menu (opens ResourcesPackages.aspx).
2 Under Add new package, enter the package name (e.g. Deluxe Castle & Soft Play Combo).
3 Select the primary category from the dropdown.
4 Click Add.
5 Click Edit next to the newly created package to attach products:
- Select the products included in this bundle.
- Set the discounted fixed bundle package price (e.g.
£175.00).
- Add descriptive bullet points highlighting customer savings.
6 Click Save Package.
Automated Combined Availability Logic
Multi-Item Stock Protection:
When a customer checks availability for a package on a specific date, SmartBookings automatically verifies that every individual product in the package has at least 1 unit in stock on that date. If the castle or ball pond is already booked out on that day, the package will automatically show as unavailable!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do multi-item hire packages increase average rental order value?
Package bundles combine popular complementary items (e.g. 'Castle + Soft Play Ball Pond + 4 Didi Cars') at an attractive bundled price, encouraging customers to book complete party solutions rather than single items.
How does SmartBookings prevent double-booking items contained inside packages?
In ResourcesPackages.aspx, packages are linked to individual inventory assets. When a package is booked, the stock count of every individual item in the bundle automatically deducts on that date.
Can customers customize package selections, such as choosing their artwork theme?
Yes. Packages can offer selectable drop-down choices, allowing parents to pick their child's favorite castle theme within the discounted bundle.
What happens if one item in a package is already booked individually on that date?
The system validates the stock of all bundle components. If any single asset is unavailable, the package automatically displays as unavailable for that date.
Can I set package delivery fees based on the largest asset in the bundle?
Yes. Delivery fee rules apply across the entire order total, ensuring accurate transport pricing regardless of how many items are bundled.
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