The Must Ask Question before Renting a Luxury or Exotic Car for New Year's

    DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TX, December 04, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As president of the Exotic Auto Rental Association (EARA), Ron Sturgeon has heard his share of luxury and exotic car rental horror stories. The details differ, but most include a special occasion ruined when the rental car company delivers last minute news that the car pictured on their website won't be available after all.

"Part of the purpose of our association is to help consumers find reputable exotic car rental agencies and have a positive first experience renting exotic and luxury cars," said Sturgeon, owner of DFW Elite Auto Rental.com in Dallas.

Exotic car rental companies have been in business in Europe for many years, but the business is relatively new in the United States, and it has experienced rapid growth in the last five years. Sorting dependable agencies from their lesser competitors can be challenging for first-time renters in an arena with few major players and established brands.

According to Sturgeon, the most important question for consumers to ask before renting an exotic car is whether the agency owns the exotic cars that it is advertising for rent.

"Some exotic car rental companies show stock images of exotic cars on their websites and then scramble to find someone willing to lend them a similar luxury car once they have a reservation," said Sturgeon.

"It's a recipe for disappointment. The car delivered won't be the exact one on the site and might not even be particularly well maintained," he said. "Even worse, sometimes the exotic car rental company won't tell the reservation holder that they can't deliver until hours before the car is needed."

The EARA president advises luxury car rental customers to ask for business references and check out any rental agency they have not used before with the local Better Business Bureau.

Consumers should look for a rental agency website with non-stock photos or videos of inventory cars, a physical showroom address, and prominent placement in luxury car rental directories like http://www.rentexoticcars.net.

"We would like to see that everyone renting an Audi R8 or other high end car gets exactly what they bargained for," said Sturgeon. "By asking the right questions, consumers can make certain that they arrive at the New Year's Eve celebration driving the dream car they envisioned."

The Exotic Auto Rental Association (http:www.exoticautorentalassoc.com) is the industry trade group for exotic and luxury car rental agencies in the United States. It was founded in December of 2006 in Las Vegas. Contact current President Ron Sturgeon at [email protected].

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