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| - I was a pretty big fan of Zipcar a few years ago. It worked well for my needs. To save money, I cancelled my membership for a while. Later, I paid the $75 signup fee and re-registered. To actually use my account, I needed a new card. And it's been a big pain since then.
Every time I logged into my account online, Zipcar would pop up with a big message: "Your Zipcard is in the mail!" So I waited. And waited some more. After a couple weeks, I tried emailing Zipcar. No response. Then I tried calling the Pittsburgh office. They told me they'd send out a new card right away. Never received it. I tried calling the main Zipcar number, but it prompted me for my card number and gave no other options, so I couldn't speak with anybody. Then I tried to call the Pittsburgh office a few more times. I always got a machine, left a message, and never got a call back. Tried to email Zipcar again, got no response. I called the Zipcar 800 number again, got around the robot by making up a Zipcard number, and spoke with a person who sent me a new card. I kinda kicked myself for not outwitting the phone robot earlier, but so it goes.
I made a reservation and walked a half mile to the Zipcar nearest to my house. My Zipcard wouldn't unlock the car. Called Zipcar, which unlocked the car for me and told me to dig around in the trunk for a spare Zipcard reserved for occasions such as this. No Zipcard in the trunk, so I wouldn't be able to use the car I'd reserved. The rep offered to reserve another car, at a more expensive hourly rate, two miles from where I was standing. I declined. Now I'm waiting on another card in the mail. If the new card doesn't work (assuming I actually receive it), I'm cancelling my membership. Port Authority can be a pain, but at least I know it'll take me where I need to go.
Maybe I've just experienced an insane string of bad luck with Zipcar, but I'd say that if you really need reliable transportation and you either haven't received your card, or you have yet to use a new card, don't depend on Zipcar. If you've passed the card hurdles, Zipcar may work out for you.
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