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CityFlitz Launches $1/day Car Rentals – You Become a Moving Billboard
If you have been reading CN for a while, you know that I use a ZipCar pretty regularly. I think the service rocks as I am able to grab a car when I need it and the price includes gas and insurance. While not exactly the same as having my own car, it works here in NYC. The cars range in price from $9-$16/hour.
Tonight I found (via the FreshBooks blog) a new car rental service that hopes to change the game for companies like ZipCar. CityFlitz rents cars for CAD$1/day and yes, I did say one dollar a day. CityFlitz wraps the cars with advertisements and the company calls the cars, "trendy mobile billboards". An example of a car is displayed below.
This is a very interesting model in my opinion for a number of reasons. First, unlike ZipCar which restricts your total miles per rental period, CityFlitz wants you to drive as much as you want. In fact, if you drive less than 30km per day, you are charged a penalty. Naturally the goal is to get the advertiser’s message out to the public as much as possible.
Unlike ZipCar, gas is not included and you must return the car with a full tank. CityFlitz rents Mini Coopers and Smart cars. Oh and get this, there’s free WiFi in the car – damn. Sitting in traffic, load up CN! The service is currently only available in Canada.
The concept behind CityFlitz is great and there’s only one thing that worries me with their ability to be a long-term going concern. Can they continue to sell enough ads to support the cars? No matter what, CityFlitz has people thinking and that’s always a good thing.
THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM! They do not return calls, their website is now down, and I am beside myself about the “refundable” security deposit. I’ve placed a complaint with the better business bureau, and am going to follow up. Do not join do complain to the BBB too.
[...] first covered Canadian-startup CityFlitz last September. We learned about the car sharing service via the [...]
what happens if you don’t like yahoo?
Nice find Allen! Let’s hope they have no punching monkey ads
Wow! I can’t wait to see what happens with this service. It would be fantastic to get this here in the Philadelphia area.
This has the feel of 1999 all over again. It reminds me of the online pet supply company that shipped heavy bags of dogfood overnight for free. You just can’t make any money on it.
An ad-supported content website is tough enough – an ad-supported car rental company? No way. The built in costs are just too high and unpredictable.
LMAO going to see those every where… Nice
-Michael Austin Productions
Can I rent a car for a year?
Coincidentally, we have launched a ’similar’ program for colleges as it relates to our software. We will provide it free and will share sponsor revenue with the college. Check it out:
http://wrapmail.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/millions-of-unused-ad-impressions-part-ii/
Dave Kustin
CMO, WrapMail