City Rent-A-Car — Local services in San Francisco

Furthering my belief that businesses that do not spend excessively on marketing, specifically advertising, are in a much better position to offer a quality product/service at competitive prices, I present City Rent-A-Car. Being that their location is off the beat and that you've probably never heard of them, that means they are able to offer great rates on great cars. Their fleet is not enormous, but they do have a little bit of everything, so whether you are looking for a truck or van to move out of your apartment, a monster SUV for a weekend ski trip, or a hot rod convertible to go cruising for fur-burgers, they probably will have what you are looking for in a car that is less than 2 years old with low mileage (just like the big guys) at a price that will make you wonder what the "catch" is. Thing is, there isn't one! Better still, if you have your own insurance and a credit card that covers your deductible, you can save even more! While they have great service (don't confuse them keeping phone calls short as rudeness- they are just very busy) you'd be better off to reserve a call in advance. They don't ask a lot to hold a car for you- in fact for me (I have a bit of a customer history that might be the reason) I didn't have to put any sort of deposit for them to hold the car for me. I am guessing they rent stuff so easily that they are not worried about getting stuck with unrented cars.

TL;DR: Skip big rental car carriers and go with CRAC and get the same car (or better) for a fraction of the price!

PS: Like every other rental car company on the planet, they expect you to have a credit card, so don't expect your debit card to cut the mustard. I saw a complaint about that, but I have never seen anyone rent a car on a debit card without a large cash deposit in lieu of it so don't blame CRAC if they won't rent you an Escalade on your Diner's Club card. Also, if you are less than 25 years old, you're probably going to have to pay a large fee because people your age have most auto accidents by an order of magnitude, so expect to open your wallet. This is especially true if you require insurance as well. This is just standard operating practices for the industry so buck up! Don't take...

Set the way back machine to August 2009..

Ah I loves City Rent-A-Car it's greatness. Rented a MINI Cooper S to visit my dad up in Ukiah, I had my fiance in the car with me and we were taking him to lunch, alas the smart car holds 2 people and we needed a third person, and there was no way I was going to get my dad or girl to crawl in the back of my 68 Classic Mini, so, off to City Rent-A-Car we went, got a NEW MINI Cooper S (which is the next best thing to owning the classic, albeit full of modern comforts and what nots) and BOOM we were in and out of there in no time, well cared for, and drop off was sweet as well, all good.. 4 stars, teetering on 5 stars .. Car was clean and available and ready as ordered, everything top notch all the way, easy peasy.

Fast forward to today..

Now today, it is almost a year later and my dad has passed away after a ripe long 98 year stinch we can only hope to be as healthy and full of vigor as he had been these past few years.. So again having left the city for places far and wide, I shall have the opportunity to return to the bay area and will muse by City Rent-A-Car to get meself a ride again for a few days!

Worth repeat business? Best dang place to rent a car in the city? Why, yes indeedy!

The challenge? Will it be convenient for the SFO airport crowd? Well that all depends on your time limits. As for me, we plan to hop a BART train to get downtown to pickup the car and if all goes well, be dropping it off on Sunday early morning at said drop-off place to catch our outbound flight ..

If that can't be done, then, sniff, no City Rent-A-Car this round and we'll end up with some silly rental at some other silly place for sure.. (City Rent-A-Car doesn't do pickup and dropoff as far as I know they don't have a airport shuttle nor booth at said airport, but then they aren't a major chain either)

Pauses for a breath, and crossing my fingers I can make this work regardless, it will be worth the effort if so! I loves mah...

Quick. Friendly. Cleanest car I've ever rented. Choice of methods to return the vehicle. Price was fair and I was charged the price I was quoted. Vehicle didn't even have a scratch on it; now what other rental vehicle have you driven that didn't even have a scratch on it? Customer service had me in and out in a wink of the eye. Covered all the details and had me sign a minimum number of papers before I drove away. While I did call ahead and reserve my vehicle (which is always a good idea) when I got there I'm certain it was no more then 10 minutes from the time I walked through the front door, gave my ID and method of payment, reviewed the paper work, had the insurance explained to me (no pressure to buy addition insurance) car was brought to the front, we inspected the vehicle for it condition (no dents, scratches or dings), I sat in the vehicle, particular details for gas tank, registration and even directions on how to satisfy tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge: all this in under 10 minutes and from a service rep who was pleasant, patient and smiling the entire time. City Rent a Car;...