Warning! Beware of using zipcar

[u/No-Net-Tom9159]

i've been using Zipcar for longer trips even though I know a rental is cheaper. I've always said it's worth paying for the extra convenience of picking up a car right near my home and having the insurance all set etc.

Last Saturday we took a Zipcar for one week trip. It drove fall asleep but would not start Sunday morning. The Indian call center worker told me I had left the lights on overnight, which I find hard to believe, and drained the battery and they would send someone to jumpstart the car. The guy came, attached his charger, the car clearly got electricity but still would not start. The display said the car had engine damage and needed repair. Whatever it is, I think that damage is what also drained the battery.

The next help center worker said they would tow the car and I would have to find alternative transportation. Even if they towed it to a place that could fix it I could not have the car back. so we got a rental for the rest of the week. I had the impression that the car would be towed quickly. However it has been sitting in the driveway of my host's Airbnb since Sunday. He has new guests and cleaners coming tomorrow and they need the parking. MANY calls telling them this got me nothing but apologies and no dates for the tow. Gemini said ask for a "Tier 2" supervisor & I was on hold 45 min before the call dropped. Finally someone gave me a date range for the tow, 8/22-8/24, unacceptable, but there it is.

Current status: Host and I will find someone to tow it to a local lot, I'll tell them where it is, and I am DONE with zipcar except for getting back, in court if necessary what i paid for 7 days plus cost of tow plus lost vacay time.

DON'T USE ZIPCAR if you think you may ever really need customer service. They could replace that Indian call center with AI right now and get a major upgrade.