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Q: How much will it cost to rent from you?
A: We always strive to keep our prices low, and our rental fees are competitive with the average national rates for businesses
like ours.
Please follow the sidebar links to view our price list and delivery fees pages. Please remember that the nightly rental
fees do not include any applicable delivery, assembly, or service fees. MD residents are also responsible for sales tax on
all rental fees.
Q: Do you ever offer any discounts or rental promotions?
A: Absolutely! We offer discounts for certain types of customers, including those with large and/or long-term orders. We
also offer a discount when you rent two or more of certain items. In addition, we have several packaged deals that offer
a 15% savings off our regular rental fees. Please visit our "Discounts & Packages" page to learn more about
ways that you can save money on your rental order, or contact us for details.
Q: Do you require a certain time/amount minimum for rental orders?
A: Yes. We require a $40 AND two-night minimum for all orders in the $25 and $30 delivery areas, and a four-night AND $60
minimum for orders in the DC and VA service areas. The two night minimum may be waived if you are staying in the Carroll
County area (contact us for details). Please note that only product rental fees qualify---delivery, assembly, and service
charges do not count toward meeting the minimum. Also, the minimum amount is calculated after any applicable discounts have
been applied.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept? When do I have to pay for my rental? Do I have to pay the total rental amount
all at once?
A: We proudly accept Visa and Mastercard (both the check and credit cards), as well as all available payment options through
the PayPal invoicing service (you must have a PayPal account to use this service). Although we require you to submit your
payment information during the reservation process, we do not charge your credit card until 24-48 hours prior to your delivery
date. All credit card information is kept secure and confidential, and is destroyed after your rental order is completed.
In addition to credit cards, we also accept checks and money orders. All checks must be received no less than 14 business
days prior to your scheduled delivery date, and payment by check is not an option for orders placed within 30 days of desired
delivery date. Checks will be deposited in full seven business days prior to the scheduled delivery date. Money orders must
also be received no less than seven business days prior to scheduled delivery date, and will be cashed upon receipt. All
checks and money orders must be in U.S. dollars and drawn from domestic accounts/institutions.
Although we prefer prepayment, we will accept cash-on-delivery when arrangements are made with us in advance. Please
note that this method of payment is not an option for clients who will not be present during delivery.
Regardless of your method of payment, receipts will be sent to your mailing address once your payment has been processed.
We prefer our clients to pay for their order in full by the date of delivery; however, special payment arrangements may
be made with clients with large or long-term orders. Please contact us for details.
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: We currently serve several areas in Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia. For a specific breakdown of our
delivery areas, please see our "Service Areas" page.
Q: Do I have to pay a deposit?
A: No; however, we do require all of our clients to provide a valid Visa or Mastercard credit card number at the time of reservation
in order to secure their order. All credit card information is kept secure and confidential, and is destroyed once your order
has been completed.
If you choose not to submit credit card information, we will require you to pay for your order IN FULL when making your
reservation, plus provide a check for the FULL amount of your order that will be held by us throughout the duration of your
rental period. This is simply to protect us against potential damages and/or breaches of the rental agreement, and we will
return the uncashed check to you via mail upon the successful receipt and inspection of your rented equipment.
Q: Do you have a rental contract? May I see it before making a reservation?
A: We do require all of our clients to read and sign a two-page rental agreement and liability release. It will be included
in your rental paperwork, and must be submitted in order to guarantee your reservation. Please e-mail us at info@gearwhileyourehere.com
if you would like to read a copy of our agreement prior to making a reservation.
Q: When should I place my order? Will you take a last minute reservation?
A: We will accept reservations up to one calendar year in advance, so we encourage you to make your reservation as soon as
your travel plans are finalized in order to ensure that you get everything you need for your trip. We book up FAST during
peak travel times like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Memorial Day, and most of the summer season, so it is NEVER too early
to make your reservation!
On the other hand, for those customers who plan on the fly or need equipment at the last moment, we still encourage you
to call us and we will do our absolute best to provide you with the items you need, too. We do strive to fulfill all last
minute rental requests when our inventory and schedule permit, so don't hesitate to ask!
Regardless of when you choose to make a reservation, please remember that we will not guarantee your reservation--including
your desired delivery and pick-up times--until we receive your completed paperwork! NO EXCEPTIONS!
Q: Can I change my reservation once its been placed?
A: We are happy to accept requests to add items to your order up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled delivery date. Of course,
we cannot guarantee availablity, but we will do our best to accomodate your needs.
Requests to remove items from your order will be accepted up until the time listed on your rental agreement (generally
72 hours prior to your delivery date). If you choose to remove items from your order after that deadline, it will be considered
a partial cancellation and you will be charged 50% of the total rental fee for that item OR $40, whichever is greater.
Q: What is your reservation cancellation policy?
A: We provide you with a specific cancellation date in your rental agreeement. Generally, this deadline will be 72 hours
prior to your scheduled delivery date, although it may vary during peak seasons. We encourage you to scroll down to the "Cancellations"
section for more information regarding our cancellation policies.
Q: I want a product that is not listed in your inventory---can you make arrangements to rent it to me?
A: If you wish to rent furniture, equipment, or accessories that are not listed on this site, please ask! Although we certainly
cannot make any guarantees, we will do our best to see if we can fulfill your request. We always welcome inquires for unlisted
products because not only do they afford us an opportunity to satisfy our customers, but they also help us expand the scope
and quality of our inventory!
Q: I forgot/don't want to pack baby wipes/sunscreen/diapers/etc.----can you provide those items too?
A: Absolutely! We know traveling can be stressful enough without worrying about lugging supplies and figuring out where to
find local retail stores. So, we will gladly pick up common items like baby/child care items, toiletries, sunscreen, and
common baby, child, and adult grocery items, as well as most small and disposable household items like trash bags, paper plates,
etc. Simply contact GWYH no later than 48 hours prior to your scheduled delivery time, and we'll visit our local grocery
or retail store and pick-up your goods (please call if you are placing the order on short notice, e-mail may not make it to
us in time). You will be responsible for paid retail price of each item (including tax) plus we charge a service fee equal
to 20% of your pre-tax grocery/retail purchase total. Don't worry, we will always shop for the lowest prices we can find
in our area, so your cost per item will be the same as if you had bought them yourself (no $7 paper plates or $5 jars of baby
food, we promise!). Please be aware that when requesting this service, you must allow reasonable substitution for any requested
items that we cannot locate (unless allergies or other circumstances prevent this), as well as respect our right to decline
purchasing any items on your behalf that we feel are not within the reasonable scope of our abilities & standards. Although
we respect everyone's lifestyles and travel plans, we will never pick-up alcohol, tobacco products, or other products with
a government-imposed restriction under any circumstances due to potential legal liability issues. Payment for all items plus
the applicable service fee are due upon receipt of goods, and can be made via cash or Visa/MC (no checks).
Delivery & Pick-up
Q: What areas do you serve? Will you rent to areas that are not listed but are in close proximity to your service areas?
A: We serve areas all over central Maryland, southcentral Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and northern Virginia. Our service
area invcludes popular family destinations such as the Inner Harbor (Baltimore), Washington D.C., Gettysburg, Frederick, and
many more. We encourage you to visit our "Service Areas" page for a more complete list of our deliver areas.
If your destination does not fall exactly within one of the listed areas, or you are unsure where your destination is
located within our service area, please e-mail or call us. We serve most of the towns that surround the major cities/destinations
listed on our "Service Areas" page.
Q: How does delivery/pick-up actually work?
A: We work with you during the reservation process to make delivery and pick-up arrangements based on your needs and our appointment
availability. However, here are some important general guidelines:
*All deliveries and pick-ups are scheduled seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., although some appointment times
are not available for certain service areas. All deliveries and pick-ups are scheduled in one-hour windows to allow for traffic
and other possible delays.
*ALL pick-ups scheduled after 2 p.m. will result in an extra night of rent being charged for each of your items.
*We deliver to virtually any location, including houses, hotels, resorts/vacation homes, airports, and car rental offices.
However, we can only deliver items that require assembly (such as cribs and toddler beds) to your actual destination, so
these items are not available for delivery to airports or car rental establishments.
*Airport deliveries require a $5.00 fee in addition to the applicable delivery fee. We deliver to Baltimore/Washington
International airport (BWI), as well as any of the many small/private airport locations in our service area.
*We are happy to deliver your items before your arrive and/or pick them up after you depart, if possible. However, we
will only do so when prior arrangements have been made with us, and we cannot be held responsible if we are unable to access
the delivery/pick-up location due to circumstances beyond our control. You will be held accountable for any additional fees
that result from such a situation.
*Large orders may be subject to a $5.00 overload fee in addition to the applicable delivery fee. We will notify you during
the reservation process if your order qualifies for this fee.
Q: Which items require assembly? How much does assembly cost? Can I assemble items myself to avoid paying the assembly
fees?
A: Full-sized cribs, port-a-cribs, and framed toddler beds all require some degree of assembly, and you will be charged a
$5.00 fee for EACH item in your order that requires assembly. Since we know our equipment better than anyone and wish to
avoid potential liability issues, we require that you allow us to assemble your item(s) in exchange for the $5.00 fee(s).
In addition, we are happy to set-up items that we do not usually assemble, such as play yards and airbeds, in exchange
for the $5.00 fee per item. Please notify us during the reservation process if you wish to have us set-up these types of
items.
Q: Do I have to tip you when you deliver/pick-up our items?
A: Tips are greatly appreciated but certainly not expected :).
Our Product Safety Standards
Q: How do I know that your products are safe to use?
A: We take the safety of our customers very, very seriously, which means all of our equipment is held to the highest safety
standards. We are directly linked to both the JPMA and CPSC, so we are constantly verifying that every single one of our
products are approved by these agencies. In the event that one of our products is recalled for any reason, we pull it from
our inventory immediately and replace it with a newer, safer option. As we say in our About Us section, we would never rent
anything to your family that we would not use for our own children and loved ones, so you can rest assured that you are safe
in our hands.
Q: What steps do you take to keep your products clean and sanitary?
A: It's an ugly fact of life that people can spread the "ickies" when sharing any personal items, so we work hard
to keep all of our products clean and disinfected. Every single item is properly sanitized between each rental and then stored
in a cool, clean storage area when not in use. We strive to use as many non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products
as we can (we prefer Method™ brand cleaners), and all washable items are exclusively treated with hypoallergenic
detergents and fabric softeners.
Q: Do you install car seats?
A: No. Due to extensive liability issues, GWYH will not install any type of car seat at any time under any circumstances.
When you rent one of our high-quality, JPMA approved seats, we will provide a copy of the manufacturer's installation instructions
for you to use yourself. We offer a wide variety of seats for infants, toddlers, and older children, and we are not responsible
for your inability to use rented seats in the event that you cannot properly install them yourself. So, please do your research
to determine which seat is both appropriate and operational based on your child's age/weight and your vehicle's specifications,
and choose wisely when placing a reservation. We recommend visiting the JPMA for advice regarding car seat selection.
Our Company, Customer Service & Website
Q: So who are you people, anyway?
A: We are Vicki and Dani, the mother-daughter team behind Gear While You're Here! To learn more about us, please visit the
about us section.
Q: Why should we choose to rent from your company?
A: We are a small, family-owned business that cares deeply about what we do---this isn't "just a job" but rather
an important service that makes us proud! Our small size and family atmosphere allow us to provide exceptional, personally-tailored
service for each and every customer, which makes the difference between an "okay" experience and a "great"
one! You will never be lost in the shuffle, given substandard equipment or service, or be treated as an expendable wallet.
We do not hire outside employees, so you can also take comfort in knowing that your personal information is only handled
by 1 or 2 people, and that your deliveries & pick-ups are made by family members that we know and trust immensely (in
fact, services are almost always carried out by one of us, the owners!). Plus, we take extraordinary pride in offering popular
brand names that you know and trust, so you will never receive items that are cheap, obscure, or "just good enough."
At the same time, we still continue to maintain rental prices that are commonly the lowest in our area for equipment that
is similar to--or better than--of other companies! Why do we do that? Because we believe that you should have the best accommodations
your money can buy during your vacation, visit, or relocation period, so that you can relax, feel safe, and enjoy using everything
you rent from us. Furthermore, we wholeheartedly believe that your equipment rental should never be a large portion of your
travel budget, and the money you save by using our services can go towards more exciting things like going out, having fun,
and seeing as many of our great local attractions as you can! Basically, we understand that you have a choice among other
rental companies; so, we fully appreciate every client we attract, and strive to prove it every time by not only meeting,
but exceeding your expectations with premium products & services at bargain prices!
Q: Where is your office located? Can we visit it to see equipment prior to renting it?
A: Our office is located in Union Bridge, which a small town in Carroll County, Maryland. Due to the fact that our office
is based out of a private residence, we do not allow customers to visit the premises. We provide specific details about all
of our items on the website and any additional information you may need about our inventory can be obtained by contacting
us.
Q: I've discovered a problem with your website---whom should I contact?
A: Because this site is designed and maintained by self-professed web design amateurs, we sincerely appreciate it when anyone
points out any problems they may experience with our site. Please e-mail us at info@gearwhileyourehere.com if you find any
mistakes/misspellings/etc. Thanks!
Q: I have a question/comment/concern---whom should I contact?
A: We welcome all questions, comments, and concerns, and promise to respond to all inquiries within one business day! Please
see the "Contact Us" page to determine how to get in touch with the appropriate person.
Q: I am unhappy with your services/products/company---what can you do to resolve this matter? Can I get a refund for my
rental fees if I did not like/use an item?
A: Since we strive for 100% satisfaction for every customer we earn, we want to know if we have somehow fallen short of our
(our your) expectations. Please contact us by phone so that we can address any complaints you may have ASAP. Specifically,
in the highly unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with equipment you are currently renting due to inferior safety or
hygiene, we do require that you contact us within the first 6 hours of your rental period to voice your complaint so that
we can hopefully solve the problem by coming out immediately and either fixing or replacing the item(s) in question. As a
general rule of thumb, we do not offer refunds, discounts, or any other forms of compensation for dissatisfaction with items
that a customer declares unsafe/unclean after the rental period has expired and the customer's use of the item has already
ceased, especially if the renter did not attempt to contact us to get the item(s) fixed/replaced while they were renting it/them.
We also do not offer refunds or discounts if you simply did not like/enjoy using the product, or if you did not get around
to using an item during the rental period. We feel that we provide detailed, accurate information about each of our products
during your selection process, as well as offer a wide variety of items to suit a variety of tastes, so you are solely responsible
for choosing a product that meets your personal needs, preferences, and expectations. However, if something you've rented
truly does not function properly or is otherwise not up to our prescribed safety or cleanliness standards, its very important
that you let us know as soon as you can so we can take care of it and allow you to get back to enjoying your stay. Otherwise,
all other matters regarding refunds, grievances, and complaints are handled at the sole discretion of Gear While You're Here,
and must be handled on a case-by-case basis by contacting our office.
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