Frequently Asked Questions

We try to anticipate questions you might have and provide the answers here. Please call or stop by if you need additional information.

1. WHY CAN'T DEBIT CARDS BE USED FOR DEPOSIT?

We view a deposit as an estimate of your charges plus a security fee. With a debit card the bank charges your account immediately for the entire deposit. Banks typically take days and sometimes weeks to credit estimated charges back when actual charges are less. Our customers tend to think that CITY RENTALS is holding their funds when in reality it's the customer's bank. For this reason a credit card is really better than a debit card. If you have questions please call and we'll try to give a more in depth answer.

2. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LEAVE A DEPOSIT?

We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover and Cash. We also have open accounts for customers who do business with us on a regular basis and prefer to pay monthly.

3. DOES CITY RENTALS DELIVER EQUIPMENT TO THE JOB SITE?

In a word YES. We base our delivery charges on a function of time and mileage. We have a zone map in our dispatch center to determine most charges.

4. I NEED A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT FOR AN HOUR OR SO, DO YOU OFFER A SHORT TIME RENTAL RATE?

Again in a word YES. Many items in our rental inventory may be rented for 2 or 3 hours. We sell time and we charge for all time out whether the equipment is being used or not.

5. WHAT IS THE REAL DEAL ON THE EQUIPMENT PROTECTION PLAN?

Accidents don't generally happen when equipment is in our yard on display. Things typically break or get damaged while the equipment is in your care and is being used. For a fee you may shift the major burden of repair costs for equipment accidentally damaged back to CITY RENTALS.

6. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY MAJOR BURDEN OF REPAIR CHARGES?

CITY RENTAL stands to bear eighty percent of the repair costs and you will pay twenty percent. We absolutely despise small print and legal-eze but in the interest of full disclosure we need to refer you to the back side of our rental agreement or perhaps we can answer a simple question you may have on the phone.

7. IS THE EQUIPMENT PROTECTION PLAN (EPP) A TRULY OPTIONAL PLAN?

YES, again. Many of our customers pay their insurance company to have rental equipment covered in their general insurance program. Our experience has been that it is more cost effective to accept our EPP while the equipment is being rented rather than to pay their insurance company for this coverage on an ongoing basis year after year. The EPP is offered to every customer but the choice is really yours.

8. WHY DO YOU CHARGE FOR FUEL?

We are proud of our inspection program and as part of our commitment to customer service we fill the tank with the proper mix of clean fuel. When the equipment is returned we refill the tank and only charge for the fuel you have used. As an independent rental company CITY RENTALS is able to provide many value added services not found elsewhere in the industry.

9. SINCE YOU ARE CLOSED SUNDAYS AND SELECTED HOLIDAYS, HOW DO YOU CHARGE FOR THE DAYS YOU ARE CLOSED?

This is a good question. You may pick the equipment up between 3 and 5 P.M. on Saturday and bring it back between 7 and 8 A.M. the following Monday (or the day after a Holiday) and be charged one 24 hour charge.

10. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HOUR METER ON SOME OF YOUR EQUIPMENT?

It serves the same purpose as the odometer on your car. We service our equipment after a certain number of hours on the meter. We also add additional rental charges for equipment used over 8 hours in a 24 hour period, over 40 hours in 5 days, and over 160 hours metered in a 4 week period.

11. WHAT IS YOUR LATE CHARGE POLICY? I AM GOING TO BE A LITTLE LATE RETURNING MY EQUIPMENT AND WANT TO KNOW IF I WILL BE CHARGED FOR ANOTHER DAY.

We prorate equipment charges rather than charge another whole day. Our policy is to charge twenty percent (20%) for each hour you are late. This means you can keep the equipment for five (5) full hours before you are charged another day's rent. (We also pro-rate the 5 day rate and the 4 week rate.)

12. COMMON SENSE RESPONSIBILITY ISSUES

Here they are in no particular order:

  • The customer is responsible for rental items from the time they are loaded until they are returned and a receipt is issued.
  • All items should be secure and protected.
  • Additional charges will be made for missing or damaged items.
  • Cleaning charges will apply for equipment not returned clean.
  • Customers are responsible for fluid levels on long term rentals.
  • The customer is allowed only ordinary reasonable wear on our equipment.
  • We do not subscribe to the philosophy that renting a piece of equipment gives a customer license to overload, exceed the rated capacity, or otherwise abuse our equipment.
  • We sell time and we charge for all time the equipment is out.
  • If you work with us and we will be happy to work with you to provide the best possible equipment for the least possible cost.

Contact us in Ontario, California, to find out more about renting tools and contractor equipment from us.