I discovered Relay Rides online but I do not remember exactly how I came across it, Google or a money making blog. I am pretty sure I came across it while brainstorming ideas on how to make extra cash.
https://relayrides.com
I have rented out my car twice since I have signed up and now I will be officially signing off of using this service for good.
Renter #1
Trip Details
Pickup Jul 6 10:00 AM
Return Jul 7 10:00 AM
Trip cost
- Estimated cost
- $44.00
- 1 day @ $44.00/day
- Trip total
- $44.00
- Earnings
- RelayRides fees
- −$11.00
- You earned
- $33.00
This was my first rental request and I was so excited after 2 weeks of signing up with an active listing. The only request was if I could meet him 15 minutes away at his location, he was sailing into the harbor for an overnight stay. He offered that at the time of pick up, he could drop me off back at my location. I told him that was not necessary and brought my father into the equation.
My father was not pleased to hear that I was going to be loaning out my car overnight. I call him old school who does not trust our society now days but I convinced him otherwise. At least I think I did. So I prepped my Prius to be "ride ready" which included a wash and vacuum. I included the RelayRides insurance card in the glove compartment. I had my father follow me to the location so he would be my ride back. I greeted the renter at the vehicle, exchanged a brief welcome, checked his drivers license and pointed out 3 minor things about the vehicle to be aware of (chip in right tail light, scuff on rim and dent on front corner of bumper). We agreed to keep in touch and parted ways.
On the ride home, my father pointed out a good point on why Relay Rides was not a good idea for me. The first point was that this is my primary vehicle, meaning if I rent it out, I cannot go places unless I walk or ride my bicycle. It is a inconvenience that I am allowing in exchange for a quick buck. I told my father that I did not mind and would find a way to make it work, I was forcing this situation to work.
Later that evening at home I received a message from the renter to say that he was finished with the vehicle and could pick up instead of waiting for the next morning (I had work tomorrow and still did not know how I was going to work that out). I immediately told my parents and they agreed to drive me back to the pick up destination. When I got there to meet the renter, we exchanged a brief welcome and closed with Thank you and take care. Wow, $33 dollars in my pocket for hardly doing anything except inconveniencing my parents and myself. We both rated each other 5 stars.
Renter #2
Trip Details
Pickup Jul 18 5:00 PM
Return Jul 26 5:00 PM
- Trip cost
- Estimated cost
- $230.00
- 1 week @ $230.00/wk
- Extended to Jul 26 5:00 PM
- $44.00
- 1 day @ $44.00/day
- Trip total
- $274.00
Now this trip I expected to go the same way. I actually received the rental request on a Friday afternoon while I was still at work. She actually requested the car earlier if possible and it would be for a week. I told her it is possible to rent for the week (without thinking of how it would affect me) but it would have to wait until I was home. I was thinking with my money brain which was $172.50 in my pocket for a week of not having my car. I actually keep my vehicle pretty clean so I just needed to do some window cleaning and interior touch ups. She met me at my residence and was very good with communication from the beginning letting me know she was running a bit later than she expected. I met the renter, checked her license but immediately had the gut feeling that I was not 100% confident in renting to her but could not say no. I went over the same 3 minor issues with the vehicle then how to operate the prius. The driver who dropped her off followed her out of the court and I cringed inside knowing this rental was feeling more like a risk than a normal rental exchange.
My mother asked me if I knew where she was going. I said I did not ask and did not feel like I had to since my job is to rent out car but I should at least have a piece of mind while doing it.
I told her that I forgot to take a picture of the mileage so if you plan on renting PLEASE RECORD MILEAGE AND FUEL very important. So, I then planned the week ahead of how I was going to get to and from work, would I cancel volunteering at the food bank that week since I did not have a means of getting there? I debated cycling or even walking but I went online and found Uber and then was guided to LYFT (will be my next blog post). I signed up for Uber but the pricing was expensive for my weekly transportation given the fact that I am loaning my only vehicle for extra income. I resorted to LYFT which seemed very reasonable and was even more delighted to see that they had a promotion going on for the next two weeks which was 50 rides for under $25 are FREE. I chose LYFT to be my transportation for the entire time my prius was being rented out. It worked out but I got very very lucky! If that did not work I would have probably had to drag my parents into this gig again.
So forward to the date that my car was to be returned, I received a message asking to extend one more day to Saturday for an extra $33. Do not have to ask me twice with my money on the mind thinking, I accepted and continued with my day. Again, despite my gut feeling it did mean she had no plans on stealing my car or abusing it (well who knows) but had great communication so far.
On Saturday, I was anticipating the arrival of my car. I did not miss it too much since I was enjoying LYFT service very much. She drives up and takes her things out (more than what she originally had), an odd looking package which was a rug covered in a bed sheet and another bag. I checked the car which was fine and exchanged a few words, instead of waiting for her ride in front of my house she headed out of our court.
My gut feeling was telling me she was a prostitute in hard times. When she arrived, her appearance in her license was different and I just got this vibe that she was in desperate times and here I was pimping out my car for cash when I did not desperately need it. I made a note to not rent to her again, better yet just close my RelayRides account. 10 minutes later she sent me a text to let me know she would be by soon since she forgot something in the trunk. I told her no worries and that the trunk would be open. Did I really want to see what was in the trunk? I did but I could live without knowing, I went out to the trunk and prepared myself to see the expected, it was a box covered in cloth and I drew the cloth back to see recycling bottles and cans and then a pillow. Ah, I thought the worst was she would sleep in the car maybe a homeless woman on wheels when not in and out of hotel rooms? I am 99% sure that she was the profile of what I thought she was. She came back and I unlocked it for her, a different guy who drove her who did not look friendly but more annoyed that she had to come back. I rated her 5 stars and said she had excellent communication through the duration of trip.
Thinking about someone using my car in such a way made me feel extremely uneasy and re-confirmed my decision to close my RelayRides account. I would hate to have to feel obligated to rent to her again if she requested because I would accept because I am a money addict. I just would hate for something worse like an accident were to happen even though RelayRides covers it, I just do not want to think about it. Also this decision will put my family at ease and if I do not want to tell people I am renting my car for extra cash then I probably should not be doing it.
RelayRides is a great company and an opportunity to rely on our community for vehicles.It has a 1 million dollar insurance policy so you are 100% covered while renting out your vehicle. It does not affect your personal insurance and is a very easy way to make money if it is your extra car or you do not use your car that often. It is not ideal for me to use this service, it actually never was but I tried it, did not fail and conquered an extra $307 dollars in my pocket.
Signing off... I am thinking about becoming a LYFT driver though. Stay tuned.
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