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Rent-A-Relic
Category: Hotels & Travel Car Rental Car Rental [Edit]
4444 Telegraph AveOakland, CA 94609
Neighborhoods: Temescal, North Oakland
(510) 601-6560
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 5:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 2 pm
49 reviews for Rent-A-Relic
49 reviews in English
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Review from irene n.
Oakland, CA
11/22/2011
I've been coming here for geez, about 15 years, and I have always been really happy working with these guys. I also use a carshare service just in case of emergency, but for the cost of 3 hours with them I can have a car for a WHOLE DAY at Rent-a-Relic and support a local business!!
They're really helpful, even when I call at the last minute to get a car, and even if I need to cancel the reservation at the last minute because I got sick. The cars are great. I don't feel any difference than those from a rental chain; aways clean and working fine! Plus, I don't want to rent something that screams "rental car" - that seems like a theft magnet to me.
I've rented from them for one day and also for a few days at a time, and they are great at working around schedules - no attitude and they're friendly and laid back. I've recommended them to friends and everyone raves. Unlike the rental chains, I never feel pressure to buy add-ons at the counter, and they have never been out to fleece me for gas money. They've always been really fair with me. I can't think of a way to make this review funny because they are straight-up awesome. -
Review from John B.
Oakland, CA
11/14/2011
Rich, Todd, and Spencer have a great thing going. The cars are far from "relics", the prices are fair, and the guys are always good for a few laughs.
Between City Car Share and Rent-A-Relic, I've never missed not having a car in Oakland. I've used R-a-R over a dozen times for business and personal use and have had nothing but 5-star experiences. -
Review from John F.
Kansas City, MO
10/5/2011
This is the official "Pick-Up" review.
Rental car company.
Friendly.
Laughed and joked with us.
Ornette Coleman and Art Blakey album covers on the wall.
Got us in a functional vehicle, accurate to our reservation in less than five minutes and sent us off with a smile.
Short of a free bottle of Milagro Reposado or a puppy giveaway, I'm not sure there's anything these guys could do to improve their opening routine. Well done, dudes. -
Review from Minh T.
Placentia, CA
2/7/2012
The whole process was a breeze! I was literally in a car and out about in ten minutes. I Highly would recommend Rent-A-Relic, Enterprise quoted me 30-40$ more!
Staff 5/5
Experience 5/5
Price 5/5 -
Review from Karamio M.
Oakland, CA
2/7/2012
Love these guys! last time we rented, i realized we were going to go over the 500 mile mark and into mileage charges, so i called enroute and they were cool with it. We've never had any trouble with the cars (usually a corolla) and they are so easy and friendly to deal with.
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Review from Miriam L.
Oakland, CA
1/17/2012
these guys are so nice and helpful! love them!
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Review from Phil W.
Oakland, CA
10/3/2011
My car died just a I was getting ready for some serious round-the-Bay driving. Rent-A-Relic was wonderful. Fast, convenient, affordable, friendly, everything I love about local businesses. Oh, and the car was clean, low mileage, and worked great. I'm going back next time I need a car and I've been telling my friends.
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Review from alex b.
Oakland, CA
12/15/2011
R-a-R is fantastic. The cars are not wrecks. The prices are great. And the service is the icing on the cake. I *hate* (hate, hate, hate) wasting 30 minutes to rent a car every time I travel. But here at R-a-R you're on the road in 5 minutes. They're friendly, they're funny, they're fast, they're reliable. I don't even look at other places anymore.
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Review from Heather R.
El Cerrito, CA
12/9/2010
So I had to get my car worked on and was able to rent a car for $27 a day!
That's the best rate I've found.
But even better, Spencer came to pick me up at the mechanic shop to take me to get the car.
We had a great chat rallying each other about the bright side of being over 40. I told him about my great "Hypocrites Soup" recipe and he revealed the wonders of Spirulina.
When I got to the office (under the big green dinosaur), Todd had remembered me from last time and told me his kids were still talking about the magic trick I'd given him years ago.
These guys are great. You can even keep the pen.
They also send me an occasional postcard. That's just downright thoughtful.
They are Super casual.
We walked over to the car Todd gestured to the gas gage that was a little over a quarter of a tank and said, "Just bring it back at a little over a quarter of a tank." I love that it's so anti-Enterprise! (No disrespect to Captain Kirk and his viral, staccato over-emoting acting style.) -
Review from Ian B.
Sacramento, CA
2/13/2011
Rent a Relic notary service - absolutely perfect - quick turn around, always available, excellent prices, the type of establishment that will give you a stamp on your way out the door- just to shave a little bit off an already busy day.
I will be using their notary service every time. -
Review from c p.
Oakland, CA
12/10/2010
I've been renting here intermittently since 2006:
Very inexpensive rates, super-friendly people, helpful and understanding, and overall, nothing like the big rental places with 500 hidden fees and frightening automatons working the desk/phone.
The only bummer is that they close at 5, and my auto shop closes at 6, so then I have to shuffle around the following morning to return the rental car. The rentals are not brand-new, high-end cars, but neither is my own car and I have not had any issues with the cars provided. Plus, today when I showed up unplanned after leaving my car at the shop after some nice person decided to run into my car when I was stopped at a red light, I had my dog with me, and nobody said anything bad about it. Which is great, because otherwise, it would have been a LONG walk back to my house with my dog in the rain.
Also they send me coupons in the mail every now and again, and they have an amazing dinosaur sign. Love. -
Review from Farah S.
3/29/2011
Straight forward service, they don't try to push too much on you. They've been in business for the past 25 years and they operate like a well-oiled machine. Reliable cars. Competitive rates. Local business. I will definitely use them again.
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Review from Ligaya T.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
These guys are the kings of wheels! By the name, you'd think you were signing up for clunkers for pennies. More accurately, they're no-frills, reliable rides that'll get ya going places.
These fellas are grade-A communicators. They get that life happens, and are flexible, accommodating and actually pretty cool dudes. I know it seems almost madness not to rent from the giants, but they're located only a few blocks from Macarthur Bart (free "shuttle") and have competitive rates.
Plus, they're next to a place that sells stun guns and pepper spray. You've got all bases covered!Listed in: details
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Review from Valerie L.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2010
Rich and Spencer always hooks it up with a sweet ride.
When I first heard about this place, I thought I would be getting beaters on the cheap. Boy, was I wrong.
I've rented 2000ish Toyota Yaris and Nissan Sentra models. All really reliable and legit.
They're really helpful and flexible guys to rent from. Apparently, they've have customers who've rented cars from them everyday for the past decade! It's no wonder why. I'd recommend going here over any other spot in the Bay Area. -
Review from Nikki c.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 2/4/2009
After reading my review one of the owners contacted me and worked with me to rectify my unhappiness. They were polite and really tried to understand why I gave them a low review. This extra service was great, and they get 5 stars for that service. So, now my overall experience is a 4 star situation.
For MY rental purposes, this is not the best option, because I usually put a lot of miles on rental cars that I get for road trips, in an effort to save my own car. I also like to rack up frequent flier miles when renting, and the major chains offer this. However, if you are looking for a local business to use to rent for local trips, this is a solid option.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/31/2008
I didn't die, the breaks didn't go out and they were open during the posted hours. That's why they… Read more »
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Review from DeAnna T.
Oakland, CA
11/30/2007
I rented from Rent-A-Relic for years before I bought a car. My brother had recommended them and I never had a bad experience. Their cars are nothing fancy, but they always run well and are comfortable. Their rates are great and you know that your money is going to people in your community, not some big corporation.
The only time that I rented elsewhere is when I had to and I noticed how much more of a hassle it is at Avis or Enterprise, between long waits and dealing with people that are making minimum wage and don't really give a crap about customer satisfaction.
Everytime I was in there, it was a great vibe. Either I saw people that I knew or there was someone bringing them banana bread for being such good guys.
After renting from them about a dozen times in a year, I decided it was time to buy a car. They were great about advising me about different kinds of cars and things to look for. They also recommended a great mechanic.
I have recommended Rent-a-Relic to several friends that have had equally good experiences.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Rona F.
Oakland, CA
4/19/2009
Needed a car for a quick three-day retreat on a budget, and made a reservation at trusty (or so I thought) Enterprise as i usually do. I was in a bit of a rush the day of the reservation, so I was a little nervous when i walked into the place (the one on 30th and broadway in oakland) and saw four other people waiting for their cars ahead of me--but this isn't really a surprise as Enterprise is always busy and backed-up.
BUT, I was appalled when i walked in and saw a long sheet of rules about the documentation (I'm not kidding) you needed to bring in if you wanted to use your debit card to rent a car here. The list was something like:
- utility bills for the past two months with your name on them
- current paystub to prove you are employed
- PLUS they put a hold on $300 of your cold, hard-earned cash in the bank the whole time you have the rental, until you return it!
There might have even been a couple of other requirements. I had been planning to use my checkcard to make the reservation since I had a lot of money in the bank but not a lot on my credit cards, but hell no was i gonna go all the way home (I was already late getting on my way to my retreat) and get two frickin' utility bills and a paystub! Ridiculous. So, despite the fact that the Enterprise dude was nice enough to say that they would hold the car for me ("yeah right" I thought), I walked out and dialed Rent-a-Relic immediately.
I'd actually emailed them earlier in the week to find out about their rates after reading the reviews on Yelp, but decided to go to Enterprise because i didn't want to deal with a junky car, even if it was cheaper. But after the debit card requirement list fiasco, i was happy that rent-a-relic had one car left to rent to me, so I headed over there tout de suite and got a decent Mazda (I think?) that got me to my destination in the Santa Cruz mountains and back without any glitches, and at only $30 bucks a day! Plus, the whole rental experience at RR is super-smooth and fast, which is hardly ever the case at Enterprise. No laundry list of required documents to use your debit card, as if you were heading out on an international flight to a country on the US' red-alert terrorism list.
I'll most likely go back to Rent-A-Relic again. Customer service was great, laid-back, and they are a locally owned business. Enterprise doesn't need my bucks, clearly. -
Review from Peter S.
9/9/2009
I must admit that I wasn't to keen on BART-ing it over to Oakland to rent a car, when I literally passed a couple agencies next to my downtown SF hotel.
But... it was totally worth it. Way cheaper than the big boys, and these guys were so helpful and pleasant to deal with.
Plus I got to explore Berkley a bit before having to negotiate those crazy overpasses and bridges back to SF. Yikes.
I will use them again the next time I am in town and in need of wheels.
I think they should paint little dragons on their fleet of relics. It would be cool. Like puff the magic dragon COOL!Listed in: Highway 1 from San Fran to the…
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Review from Barbara Y.
El Cerrito, CA
1/29/2008 1 photo
I heard about these guys when I took my car in for service my mechanics in Berkeley. They offered me a NICE 19.99/day rate as a courtesy discount from my mechanic's shop.
One of the owners, Todd, picked me up and drove me back to their office and I was out and about in a Ford Focus within minutes!
These guys have been in business for 16 years, and it's no wonder they are a success. Real down home treatment from some real down home people who care about getting you in some wheels asap!
I have a NEW rent-a-car company to call on! Check 'em out! -
Review from Aaron S.
Castro Valley, CA
5/27/2009
My mom was coming to town for two weeks and there was no way I was going to play chauffeur. A friend told me about the Relic. Qualities that made me look are: locally owned, don't need to go to the airport and good prices.
I was expecting an old beater based on the name, but the cars were newer than mine, in good shape, very clean and had a few more bells and whistles than I expected. Certainly did the trick during my moms stay.
Service was excellent. I actually hung out for a bit and shot the breeze with the staff. (If you like baseball, there are a lot of opinions coming from the relic!) And when it came time to drop the car off, it was easy and quick.
I will repeat and highly recommend. It was one of the few experiences in my moms trip that she didn't complain about, that is probably the best compliment I can give! -
Review from Fred W.
Berkeley, CA
6/3/2010
Super friendly, I'm thrilled to support a local small business, esp. when they're genuinely nice folk. The cars are indeed a bit old, and a couple of them have been borderline clunkers. I even returned one because the driver's seat had degraded beyond comfortable. But they let us exchange with no problem.
Great rates, esp. on relatively longer term rentals (week, month).
This is ALWAYS the first place we call to rent a car. -
Review from Ben G.
Oakland, CA
6/9/2008
Another thriving small business in Temescal. Here is example of a neighborhood oriented small business competing is a very competative market - and winning. You don't have to go to a national chain to rent a good car - their rates are as good or better than the chains - and you get to support a local business.
And there is the sign - the very large dinosour (relic) - above the store. Is there a cooler sign in all of oakland!Listed in: Shopping Temescal!
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Review from Molly K.
Oakland, CA
1/7/2010
These guys are great. I rent a car from them every time I get my Honda Element serviced, (which is at least a few times a year since I abuse the hell out of it since I'm a dog walker/boarder,) and the cars are cheap and clean.
The cars are not sexy at all, they are the basic neutral-color small sedans, but what do you want for $23.95/day? I think for that price, you should provide your own sexiness.
Renting a car allows you to briefly experience someone else's musical life. Today's rental car has all metal and hip-hop stations programmed. I'm steering clear of my usual KALW and KPFA diet, and plan to do as much head-bopping and hair flipping as I can possibly fit into 24 hours.
Peace. -
Review from Professor H.
Oakland, CA
9/27/2008
Rent-a-Relic is so good!
Here's why
The cars are all beaters, it's true. However they always work and you get a good price on them.
No mofo-ing hidden fees.
Really nice, reticent gentleman trio customer service.
Local $$$ for christs sake. -
Review from Charles F.
Berkeley, CA
4/23/2011
Went for notary and it was great. They gave me the "yelp discount" because I asked for it. Nice guys. Thanks again!!!
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Review from Joshua C.
3/2/2010
When it rains, it pours.
The water pump in my car decided to fail. The earliest I could get my car into my mechanic was on a Monday, the same day I had a doctor's appointment that I didn't want to reschedule. After freaking out and reading horrible reviews for Zip Car, I decided I might just have to rent a car for a day to make things work.
Usually when renting a car I go with a big corporate rental company. Nothing wrong with that, but I figured I should support local businesses. Then I remembered reading Ligaya T.'s review for Rent-A-Relic. I sent an e-mail with a request for a quote, they gave me a Yelp discount and I was good to go.
While they do have some nicer cars like a Toyota Yaris or Corolla, they also have Ford Escorts that are total relics. I happen to get stuck with an Escort. It wasn't the nicest rental but it did the job.
+1 star for getting an additional discount because I was a customer at Art's Automotive (where my car was being fixed).
Overall, the men running this place are very friendly and easy to work with. They even gave me a ride back to Art's after I returned my rental. The prices might be similar to bigger car rental companies, but you won't get the same great local business vibe elsewhere. -
Review from Aya C.
San Francisco, CA
11/12/2009
OK, so when they say Rent a RELIC, they're not kidding. Don't walk in there thinking that you'll rent a car with only 2000 miles on it. The car we rented was older, had ton-o-miles and not the cleanest. However, on a busy weekend when all the major car rental companies are charging 60 bucks to rent a mid size car, this place is like an oasis in the sahara. And the folks there are very nice too.
Also, don't forget their notary service. (yup, you read it right) Todd's been coming to our office for years and he's been great. -
Review from S S.
Alameda, CA
12/19/2009
I just rented from there and they were awesome. In this case, awesome doesn't only mean CHEAP-o-rific but also great customer service. They picked me up at my mechanic's (Young's auto repair-see my 5 star review), they were fast fast fast, and all I had on me was my ATM and my DL as I didn't know i was going to need a rental when i left the house. My car was clean, ran great, and I was on my way in minutes. They were also flexible about when bringing it back and took me back to the mechanic's afterward.
Super nice guys and a local business!
ps. they also have mini-vans for a good price :) -
Review from Kelsey K.
Emeryville, CA
9/8/2011
These guys were great! I needed a car last minute and they were able to accomodate me. They responded very quickly to emails (had a price quote, confirmation, and time to pick up the car figured out in around 5 minutes via email) and once I got there, they had everything ready! Just had to sign a few places, and within minutes I was out the door. Will definitely be renting from this place again not only for the great customer service, but their prices are unbeatable too. Only around $37/day including tax and the fee for being under 25.
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Review from sarah c.
Oakland, CA
3/31/2010
Much more like rent a wreck....a smokey one at that. If you like to drive in the recycled stale smoke of others before you, in a car that is 100,000 +, with some unpleasant quirks...this is the place to go.
Rent a Wreck in my book and no longer getting my business. -
Review from P M.
San Antonio, FL
8/23/2011
This is a great, no frills, affordable place to rent a car! I have used them twice and will be a repeat customer every time I vacation in California. So, OK, the car is not the most aesthetically gorgeous, but we have never had any mechanical problems. We also did not worry about driving it!!! The guys in the office are helpful and knowledgeable...I say, give them a try!
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Review from Jenn C.
8/25/2010
Really nice staff & very reasonable prices. If anything happens to your rental while you're driving it - they take care of you. They are right in the neighborhood and not part of some big chain - so you're doing the right thing renting from them instead of some big national chain.
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Review from bit b.
Oakland, CA
6/24/2011
they are great! simple, quick, great rates, good gas saving cars.
will use them again ! -
Review from marie m.
Oakland, CA
9/19/2010
i love this place.
honest, friendly, affordable, and local. no sneaky fees nor bs nor hassle.
the only time i rent elsewhere is when i have to drive out of state. -
Review from Scooter K.
Oakland, CA
7/12/2010
I've been using Rent-a-Relic for several years now. We rent a car over the busy holidays or when our dogmobile is in the shop. I'm a dog walker so I drive my car hard everyday all over hill and dale so it's in the shop a lot! The guys at Rent-a-Relic are kind enough to pick me up or drop me off at Piedmont Shell and their cars are always clean and inexpensive to rent.
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Review from Michael B.
Piedmont, CA
3/1/2010
The absolute easiest car rental I ever had. I needed to rent a car for 2 weeks and it couldn't have been easier. They made it feel like I was borrowing a car from a friend only without the guilt of having to clean it out before I returned it. I walked out of there paying a little under the quoted price. I kept waiting for some extra mileage fee, convenience fee, service fee or the some special one-way street riding fee. It never happened. These guys are great.
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Review from Diana S.
Oakland, CA
1/8/2008
I"ve been renting from these guys for years. It's only $24.99 per day or something like $114 per week which gives you 100 free miles a day as well, usually a better deal than Enterprise or some of the other mega-rental places. The cars don't have cd players, which is a drawback, but you can bust out those old mix tapes and revisit the old days instead. Plus, you're supporting a local business!
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Review from Hot T.
Granville, OH
5/31/2011
WONDERFUL! This is a great place to rent a really good, reliable vehicle. They give you great customer service and you don't ever walk away feeling overcharged. I have rented cars from them many, many times and have NEVER, EVER, had a problem with the vehicle, which is very important to me since I'm renting it to replace my downed vehicle. More reasonable than any of the other rental car companies who want virtually your first born to rent their vehicle!! Don't let the name "Relic" scare you away, these are newer reliable vehicles that not only cost less, but save you money on gas!! Whoopee!
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Review from James W.
Berkeley, CA
5/31/2011
Friendly, helpful, reasonable. They don't just have relics; last time I used these guys I got a car with less than 5000 miles on the clock. Strongly recommend.
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Review from Tina P.
Walnut Creek, CA
4/17/2010
I came here to rent a car to drive to Walnut Creek for an interview. I got to drive a fairly new and reliable Nissan Sentra. The staff was friendly and professional. As a new customer, it took only 5 minutes to get me signed up, out the door, and into the car. Returning the car took less than 5 minutes. Everything went smoothly, a little too smoothly. I'll definitely come back here the next time I need to rent a car.
