So, just wanted to share my story and see if there is a better way I could have handled it. More of a "today I fucked up" than anything else.
Two weeks ago 8 guys and I went on a camping trip for a bachelor party, and rented a Rzr (a 4 seat 4 wheeler). We all signed contracts as drivers and took turns wheeling it around. I of course got way too ballsy and tipped it on its side in a mud pit. Pretty anticlimactic, it didn't feel like much and we were wearing seat belts and helmets. I'm really glad I didn't hurt anyone through my lapse in judgment.
The first thing we noticed was a door that was caved in, and some cracked panels. We used it (heavely) the rest of the weekend, and I spent the rest of the trip wondering what I was in for.
We returned it, I fessed up about tipping it and that I was soley responsible. They called next day and told me what was likely needed to be replaced and asked for a $3000 down payment which I paid with a credit card. A week later they told me the final bill of $6061 which was $4000 in parts, $1000 in missed rental days, and the rest in labor at $89 per hour. I had to ask them to wait to charge my card until I was paid as my available credit was $5000. The bill included a breakdown of the parts, and I cross check them, they were fair. I was bummed that it was so much, all we saw was a few cracked panels, but they essentially replaced the entire half of the Rzr and the roll cage, but I signed the contract so whatever.
Friends offered to help pay, but I declined because I felt bad about it. I also only told them it was $3000 so they feel less inclined. I'm a relatively broke student so my plan is to carry a $4000 balance on my 24% apr until my student loans disperse.
Moral of the story is know what you are getting into with rentals, and if you are not in a good financial place consider declining. I could have not signed up to be a driver and just rode along.
Last, is there any better ways I could have handled this? I have car and renter's insurance with State Farm, but I doubt this can be applied. I have a copy of the my contract and I asked for a signed letter that i paid everything in full and no more money is due so if it falls apart in the future, they can't put me on the hook for more damages. I should only rack up about $200 in interest until I get my student loans, and that's worth it for me rather than taking my friends money.
Edit: many have asked about insurance the shop might have offered. There was no insurance offered, and there was a clause in the contract stating that no claim could be made in the event of damages.
Submitted July 07, 2017 at 04:09PM by TheTruv http://ift.tt/2sPALI5
