Now if we're pissed with the new ownership, then call their customer service line. if you're not alone they will respond. in the meantime, let them beat up on transit (if you could even call it that)

http://www.igocars.org/

But no. Read the postings of the shill known as ECB, and Flexcar was either a nonprofit, a free service, or an eleemosynary institution -- anything but what it REALLY was -- a for-profit car-rental company with a failed business model.

Meet the "new journalism," same as the old, and just as infested with hacks and flacks.

Up here, we have Co-operative Auto Network, which is a non-profit auto co-op. $2.50/hour for any vehicle (including vans and trucks; Zipcar doesn't even have vans up here, ugh), plus a per-km rate. It always seems to end up way cheaper than Zipcar; the staff are really friendly; and they have vehicles -everywhere-.

Someone should start one down there.

Zipcar is self-consciously not affordable for people who drive more than a few times a month, and they fairly consistently advertise as a solution or alternative to renting/borrowing cars for specialized trips. This is no different. Quit your whining.

The point is, you can't use transit to go pick up a new couch.

Conversely, you wouldn't use Zipcar for a daily commute.

But Zipcar + transit are like chocolate & peanut butter. Taken together, you've got the best of everything.

Compare and contrast this post with Savage's on the disposable Wall-E wristwatch. Note that each is making a similar point: Shining a light on some variation of hypocrisy. Note too that Savage points out the facts, and saves outrage for the reader to reach on her own accord. Your post includes the outrage.

Further note that Savage uses outrage sparingly, and when he does, it gets a reader's attention.

By comparison, your collective editorial content comes off of as a Norm Schram.

Seriously, please tone down the over-the-top outrage and sweeping assessments. Doing so will enhance your overall influence.

The ad clearly isn't trying to say to use zipcar instead of the bus for normal uses, just that some things (like moving furniture) can't be done via the bus.

Even if flexcar was going broke in general (which I don't think has been proven), it has been shown that Seattle was one of its "strongest markets". People here loved Flexcar a lot. Zipcar had zero interest in finding out from its Seattle members why the flexcar market was so strong here (i.e. why they loved flexcar so much).

this is my story...
while in cannon beach 3 weeks ago, a car driving out of a parallel spot sideswiped my parallel parked zipcar. four scratches. literally! my thoughts "this will bite me in the ass later if i don't do the right thing and report the accident."

below is a letter from zipcar one week after i filed the accident report.

"Dear Jessica,

We have completed the repairs to Iseman for a total of $576.00. Per our member agreement, members are responsible for damage incurred during their reservation when there is no ability to recover payment from another party. You are responsible for up to the $500.00 damage fee.

I have attached the estimate of repairs and photos for your records.

The amount of $500 has been charged to your account and will be processed on your next billing date. Your account is now unsuspended and you are free to reserve Zipcars.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you and safe Zipping!"

isn't that nice?! assholes! yeah, i have questions alright. why this incident only costs zipcar $76 and me..an underpaid 9-5 office worker $500 for effin' paint! bullshit.

i hate them! HATE!

and/or go to google and search on: zipcar $500 deductable

Don't pay it jessica! Unless your membership agreement says there's a $500 deductible, then you don't have to pay.

I am actually a member of Zipcar, and was with Flexcar for a year and a half before the transition took place. Erica isn't slamming car-sharing--after all, she was and is a member too--she is pointing out how much the gigantic, for-profit ownership of a company can diminish its actual effectiveness and rider-friendliness.

Just a couple of things: About eight months ago, when I locked my cell-phone in a Flexcar, a member and employee of Flexcar DROPPED IT OFF at my apartment after taking time out of her evening to go and get into the Flexcar.

I have never spoken to anyone from Zipcar; however, I have been charged (erroneously) a $50 late fee and a $20 fee for a reservation I ended up canceling.

Furthermore, evidence that Zipcar is not the environmentally-friendly alternative it posits itself as: the "premium" cars include hybrids, BMW's, and fancy SUV's. Seems more to me like a convenient way to "zip" around town in something cool versus being actually utilitarian.

Is iGo in Chicago part of Zipcar? I know that FlexCar and iGo had a "relationship" before the buy out where you could use iGo if you were a Flex Car member.

I wrote iGo an e-mail asking if they are part of Zipcar and if they are not what the chances of them setting up shop in Seattle. Maybe if a bunch of us showed interest in getting them to set up a few cars in Seattle on a trial run some good old fashioned competition will run ZipCar out of town and get we can get something better in it's place.

Who is that then?

Flexcar also had a $500 deductible.

no big deal, moved company use from one to the other - five minutes - no real difference - we grab Zippy/Flexxy to move legal docs.

do you all really spend time deciding where to buy used clothes with this much ardor?

I ride the bus to work, but for me, hourly car rentals are another business tool.