Would You Use a Community of *Things*?

LOnce on 27/06/2023 - 09:31

Imagine a platform where you paid a small monthly fee (let's say $1) that grants you access to a community of open sharers. You can both lend out your things and borrow from others. The fee covers the platform's maintenance.

What do you think of this idea?

Join in the poll + conversation and share your thoughts! 🤝🌍💡

Notes:
Things can be anything an owner is willing to share, like a mower, a camera, or a formal suit. This saves you money from having to buy that thing as you might only need it once. It's also one less "clutter" to accumulate.

There would be safeguards for the owner - such as pre-auth of the value of the item on the borrower's card, so if it's not returned, the pre-auth is activated and the borrower effectively bought the item. Any material damage is also deducted off the pre-auth (relative to the value lost). There would also be ratings and reviews on both owners and borrowers to increase trust and reliability.

For the most part, things are shared freely (benefiting the environment and less waste). But the owner can also decide to charge a fee to rent out the item if it's higher value (eg. a drone vs a book).

Poll Options expired

  • 33
    Love it! I'd be eager to join and start sharing/borrowing.
  • 120
    Sounds interesting, but I have some concerns/questions.
  • 245
    Not for me. I prefer owning things outright.
  • 6
    Unsure. I'd need more details to decide.
General Discussion

Comments

  • AustriaBargain on 29/06/2023 - 12:34

    I wouldn't loan my camera out for a month for a dollar. and no one is going to take care of an expensive camera they only paid a dollar a month for.

    I like the idea of it, i read that the average brand new drill that gets bought is only used for a total of nine minutes over its life, so makes sense to share a drill than everyone buy their own and only use for nine minutes. But people will break/lose it.

  • Look Up on 29/06/2023 - 12:34
    +1

    OP banned for trying to crowd source marketing feedback

    Behaviour as shi*tty as the posts asking for free feedback on a new business website

    • netjock on 29/06/2023 - 15:54

      Entertaining though. Trying to make a buck a user per month.

    • cobknob on 30/06/2023 - 12:37

      Interesting idea though, but I emphasize this, people just don't look after shit, don't expect it back in any condition besides wear and tear +year!

  • AnophthalmiaCervidae on 29/06/2023 - 15:33

    The app and the person loaning out their gear would probably need some good liability insurance.
    The first person to cut off their hand because the circular saw they borrowed was too sharp, not sharp enough, buggered up by the person that had it before them, or not maintained and just worn out would likely sue the app into oblivion.

  • netjock on 29/06/2023 - 15:53

    I think you should just put money into it if you have faith in your idea. Screw what other people say.

  • syncoroll on 29/06/2023 - 16:00

    This already exists

    https://thesydneylibraryofthings.org.au/

  • gromit on 29/06/2023 - 16:36

    Seems a fantastic way to get free money for some expensive broken items. "It was in perfect working order when they took it, I am claiming 100% of the precharge as it was non functional on return, they must have dropped it or incorrectly used it"

  • Void on 29/06/2023 - 17:54

    Nope. This is what actual friends are for, not shady randoms that might or might not run off with items.

  • ferguson on 29/06/2023 - 18:52
    +1

    Well, I guess I only need a vibrator one or two nights per week.

    • fredk1000 on 30/06/2023 - 01:47

      You can borrow a lawn mower or another power tool on other days.

      • ferguson on 30/06/2023 - 07:23

        I've always been keen on doing some motor-boating.

        • cobknob on 30/06/2023 - 12:41

          You can borrow my yacht lol

    • leiiv on 30/06/2023 - 15:24

      Everyone has smartphone these days..

  • Motek Benzona on 29/06/2023 - 18:58

    Community? Share?

    Dont make me laugh

    Thats not how life works despite the propoganda

    We are just a group of selfish monkeys our for whatever we can get under the guise of community if anything

    Pass

  • outlander on 29/06/2023 - 19:38

    I like the idea, but it's not without it's challenges.

    There used to be a company that did a similar for profit version of this called OpenSheds. You could rent out items you weren't using, and rent things from others for cheaper than it'd cost from the usual places. Sadly they closed up shop 5 years back

  • Maxi Pad on 29/06/2023 - 21:33

    The only people in on this would be people without stuff.

  • Aneurism on 30/06/2023 - 09:07

    People can't even trust their partner or family member to treat a non stick frypan with care..

    Also imagine getting covid because someone forgot to wash the snot on their hands before handling products being returned.

    • cobknob on 30/06/2023 - 12:48

      People can't even trust their partner or family member to treat a non stick frypan with care..

      I sympathize!

      Most people don't understand science but they also like to do things their way - which is a problem today in work, home or just about anything. I loved forcing people to read manuals at work - such a joy - and then testing their knowledge.

  • curtturtle on 30/06/2023 - 09:16

    Small communities in Melbourne do this. Whether it be through Good Karma Network style groups or even Tool Libraries. It works quite well in a lot of ways.

  • unhinged on 30/06/2023 - 10:38

    I would suggest adding a 1% rake on all transactions. There are going to be more costs like dispute resolution that will need to be resolved sometimes.

    I would suggest eventually expanding into a 'people economy' where people can list and hire out their personal skills to the people around them. It has its own set of problems but imagine being able to monetize people's skills + make humanity more efficient at the same time.

    I would think about changing the brand image from 'sharing' to just 'renting'.

  • Breno785au on 30/06/2023 - 10:56
    +1

    I think this would be great for sex toys and stuff

    • Maxi Pad on 30/06/2023 - 11:23

      I have a collection of butt plugs that I would be willing to loan out.

  • capslock janitor on 30/06/2023 - 12:54
    +1

    WHY ARE YOU IN PENALITY BOX ?

  • ulun-lpg on 30/06/2023 - 13:45

    same here in WA, some councils have similar offerings.

    shareshedbassendean.myturn.com/

  • quick-dry on 30/06/2023 - 14:28
    +1

    If I lend my drill and drill bits out, and the drill works for all the borrowers… but all that wear and tear means it dies when I'm using it. How do I get compensated for having my drill's llifespan used up on other people?

    AirBnB or those "rent-out-your-car" apps work because the rental provider is getting paid each use - I think it's a harder sell if the way I derive value as a rental device provider is through needing to find things to borrow from people that give me value. I visuallise it looking like a circle, and while each of us lend and borrow at mutually satisfying rates, the system holds up - but when I don't need to borrow things often, will I stay in the system?

    It's an interesting idea, but it feels like a thing that works within an existing community where we derive some social payment from helping friends/community members, than one for disconnected strangers where payment in smiles and goodwill isn't all we want.

  • Munki on 30/06/2023 - 14:30
    +2

    Waiting for someone to start sharing their wife.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 30/06/2023 - 16:15
    +1

    This business already exists. It's called Bunnings. No questions asked returns after you use the tool.

  • echelon6 on 01/07/2023 - 10:22

    No way, people will break things and the costs will shoot up. Also people are dirty. Stuff is cheap enough, just own what you need.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join