March 2019 by Sarina J.
My first Zipcar experience ended up being quite the debacle. Zipcar reduces costs by relying on users to keep the car clean, refuel the vehicle when appropriate, report any mechanical issues or damage, and return it on time. Unfortunately, whoever had a reservation before me didn't show up on time - nor within the 25 minutes it took to get in touch with a representative, have them attempt to contact the driver, and call me back saying that they would have to make another reservation. The next closest vehicle was 2.6 miles away. Thankfully, I allotted two hours of time to travel 14 miles, just in case the exact scenario I experienced happened. (Those of you who have consistent bad luck totally understand this!) Also, the Zipcar representative did put a lot of effort into making things right. I was reimbursed for both the rental fee and the cab rides to and from the other vehicle. They also gave me two hours of driving credit toward the new reservation, which means my new bill for the rental was under $15. Zipcar is a good deal if you need a car but wouldn't be greatly inconvenienced if your reservation was cancelled. It's also a good deal if you can properly plan the amount of time you will need the vehicle, including a potential stop to get fuel or deal with any other unexpected problems. Returning a car late comes with a fee of $50 per hour, and at that point a 24-hour rental from a rental agency might be a better value. Will I give Zipcar another chance? Maybe, but certainly not when I'm on my way to another concert.
