Can you rent an SLR camera?

I have a 35 mm SLR but would like to use a digital for an event I am photographing in a couple weeks. I just don't want to call the camera store and sound like an idiot if renting cameras is something no one does;)

If you buy a good used one on ebay, you can most likely sell it for the same price. Your shipping costs will probably be less than renting one (if you can find someone to rent it).

Yes you can. I know of 2 shops that rent them in St. Louis here. They are two locally owned shops, so maybe in your town you don't have any, but I bet if you look hard you could find some place.

Not all camera stores rent out phorography equipement. But there are some that doa nd some places that only rent out the stuff. Just call and ask.
If you're in L.A. then call Samy's Camera or Calumet. They have some good rates and a lot of stuff for rent.