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I’VE SEEN CAR-SHARE COOPERATIVES. There’s one where I live. For a set price (like $500) I can buy into the coop to become a member, making me a part owner of all the vehicles. I then have access to “rent” any number of cars in the fleet. That’s a great concept, but not that much different than a normal car rental place, like Budget, I think. There’s still an inventory of vehicles that need to be managed and maintained by an organization.

What I think is cool about RelayRides is that the vehicles are already owned by people. These are cars and trucks that would otherwise just be sitting there when their owners aren’t using them. In other words, the demand for a vehicle by a “renter” in this situation doesn’t lead to a car being added to the road.

Car owners who offer their vehicles for rent have the security of being able to choose who rents their car. Renters build reputations by being reviewed by owners. In addition to community review, to join as a renter one needs to pass a screening process. (Learn how it all works here.)

This is community; it’s about people helping each other out. The owner provides a car to the renter, the renter helps the owner pay for their car.

Here’s another plus: With Labor Day coming up and rental vehicles at a premium, it’s another option to consider to get yourself on the road.

[Note: This post is sponsored by the good folks at RelayRides, whose service we gladly endorse.]