Hiroshi teaches architectural history in Tokyo. Two-week research stay in Berlin, eight-year-old daughter Yuna in tow, road trip planned through Mecklenburg via Schwerin and Bad Doberan. He wants a wagon direct — no aggregator markup, no insurance upsell at the counter. He finds Rico's garage two streets from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, 28 years family-run, eleven cars, 4.9★ from 312 reviews.
Rico replies in English within 14 minutes, confirms €184 all-in, fully comprehensive cover included, no excess on a chipped windshield. Hiroshi's licence and IDP sit in the Document Vault — Rico checks them ahead and signals all clear.
Friday 9:00 keys handed over, Yuna is buckled in by 9:08, father and daughter roll north. No 50-minute aggregator queue, no €180 insurance fight, no windshield-chip dispute on return. Rico keeps 100 % of the revenue, Hiroshi saves €60 against comparison portals.
