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What's with Zipcar?

Posted by Cliff on from the 21st-century-metropolitan-transport-ideas dept.

MrMrBen asks: "I've been seeing ads for Zipcar on the subway in NY. I didn't realize that it's actually out there and working. Apparently, you make a reservation on their web site, show up at the car, wave your membership card over the windshield and it unlocks for you. Does anyone know what kind of wireless network they use? Can they track the car while you're driving it? Have people been using zipcars, and what have their impression been? Is this the future of cars for city dwellers?"

1 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. did you read the fine print? by Nathan_Carter · · Score: 0, Troll

    I live in Brooklyn, NY and was very excited when we finally got ZipCar in our neighborhood a few months ago. But I was really put off by the fine print in the signup that basically said "You have to give us a $200 deposit to join zipcar. If you ever leave, we'll give it back to you, but you should realize that it is mixed in with other Zipcar corporate funds in several accounts, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to receive your deposit if Zipcar ever goes out of business"

    What a "nice" revenue model they have! More like a pyramid scheme - get $200 (or at least six month's revenue for the average Zipcar user) every time a new person signs up, and then use that money to expand the business rapidly. If and when they go belly-up, you'll be waiting in line with VW and every other creditor trying to get your $200 back.

    I was hoping to use Zipcar at least once a month, but I don't want to risk losing my $200 just to try it out. Maybe when other competitors come to NYC they will change the policy?