RentScanner.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Shopping & Checkout
Can I schedule a rental for a future date or guarantee arrival on a certain date? In order to keep our costs low, we operate only on a first come first served basis. If the radio you want is not in stock, please check back later for availability, or you can send us an email to be placed in the queue on a first-come first-served basis for a specific radio. There is no commitment--if the radio comes available and you decide you do not wish to rent, we will simply offer it to the next person in the queue.
When does my rental period begin? When does it end? We use the electronic delivery confirmation date provided from USPS to mark the start of your rental period. The rental period ends one, two, three, or four full weeks later when you give the return package to USPS. The time in transit both to and from RentScanner.com does not count as part of your rental period. As an example, if your one-week rental arrives on Tuesday, it must be shipped back to us on the following Wednesday. We highly recommend that you use the time that the scanner is in transit to you to read the user's manual, a link to which is available on our scanner rental page.
Do I need to leave a deposit? Not at this time, however we reserve the right to change this policy in the future. Our strict policies regarding shipping addresses and identity verification procedures serve as an adequate substitute. Renters will be charged for the value of a radio or repairs if a radio is not returned or returned broken, respectively. To limit our risk, only one radio may be rented or in transit per household.
What condition are your scanners in? Our radios may show signs of regular use, having small marks. We guarantee that there will be no major flaws that would affect reception or other proper functioning of the radio.
What accessories come with the scanners? All radios come with an antenna. Most scanners also come with PC programming cables and software (or instructions for downloading the software). We do not ship batteries or instruction manuals with the scanners to avoid possible damage to the radios and to keep shipping weights down. In all cases, on-line PDF copies of the the instruction manuals are available. See the scanner ordering pages for links. If you wish to have certain accessories included, such as an AC adapter or manual, we can normally provide this at no extra rental charge, but shipping charges will be higher. Please contact us before placing your order.
How do you choose which scanners are available for rental? Popular, recent-model, higher-end scanners are most likely to be offered. However, we also have to keep weight in mind to keep postage costs (our biggest pricing obstacle) reasonable. If you would like to see us offer a particular radio, please let us know. If enough people ask for a particular radio, we will make it available if possible.
Do your scanners cover cellular bands? FCC rules prohibit the sale or use of radios that receive the cellular telephone bands, except to/by authorized users (generally, the government or telecom companies). Besides, almost all current cellular phone signals are either GSM or CDMA, both of which are digital and encrypted, so in practice there is very little to monitor on these bands.
Can you pre-program the scanner for my area? Not at this time, but we are investigating this possibility as an extra service. All scanners that support computer programming are supplied with programming cables and software to help you program the scanner. Radioreference.com provides a good list of local public safety frequencies. We recommend that you read the programming section of the scanner manual while awaiting arrival of your scanner.
Shipping
What shipper do you use? RentScanner.com exclusively uses the United States Postal Service (USPS) for its shipping.
Why choose USPS over another carrier? USPS offers the lowest cost 2-3 day shipping option nationwide for our average package weight. In addition, they are the only shipper to offer free next day carrier pickup and a six day per week operation.
When will my credit card be charged? Your credit card will be charged within 24 hours of your order being placed. We use PayPal to process our payments.
Do you ship to Alaska or Hawaii? What about Canada? Priority mail only provides for reasonable delivery times to the 48 contiguous states. If you live in Hawaii or Alaska and wish to rent a radio, please contact us to arrange for two-way Express Mail shipping, which is fast but expensive. There are no current plans to ship to Canada or any other country at this time.
Can I pick up or return my order in person? Yes! In-person pickups and returns are available by appointment, and do not incur any shipping charges. We enjoy meeting other radio enthusiasts. Our office is in Arlington, Virginia (the D.C. metro area), near the Ballston Metro stop. Please email us for details.
Returns
What type of packaging will I need? Everything you need to return your order is provided in our shipment to you, including detailed return instructions. Remember to save the box and packing materials that your order comes in as you'll need it for your return.
What do I do if I am late in returning my order? You must contact Customer Service for an extension if your return will be late. Late fees are assessed in one week increments and the discounted rates for longer rentals will apply, but there is no further discount beyond the four week rate. The maximum extension is an additional four weeks.
Is my return shipment insured? Your return shipment is automatically insured by a third party insurance company provided you use our prepaid return label.
Why do I need to prepay the return shipping cost? Prepaying allows us to generate the return shipping label for you with the proper class of service, address, weight, and postage. This saves you time and reduces the chance of a mistake being made during the shipment process, and saves you money by using our insurance policy.
Other
What do you consider signs of normal use that I will not be liable for repairing? Signs of normal use include scuffs or scratches on the body of the radio that do not objectively affect reception or mechanical operation. We ask that you avoid scratches to the display screen. Most of our scanners are relatively delicate electronic items; please treat them well. You and your fellow renters will appreciate it.
Where can I view the rental agreement? Your rental agreement is displayed just prior to confirming your order at checkout. A text version is also available here.
What if my question is not answered here? Customer Service will be happy to answer your question. Responses typically come within 24 hours.