N + 1 + Spinlister. Anyone here renting out their excess inventory?
#1
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N + 1 + Spinlister. Anyone here renting out their excess inventory?
I have way too many bikes; I admit it. What to do with them all?
I signed up on a rent-your-bike website called Spinlister more than two years ago, listed a couple of my mountain bikes on it then promptly forgot about it. Got one nibble once, then the guy cancelled before the rental date. Fast forward to this week, I got a Spinlister notification that someone wants to rent the mountain bikes. A little back and forth with the messages and it turns out road bikes would be better for them, so I list a couple of those, too.
I just sent these two out the door this morning with a nice young couple of world travelers. Did some seatpost adjustment, swapped in their choice of saddles, packed them some flat kits and basic tools and off they go. Theoretically, they'll bring them back Saturday night and Spinlister pays me $96. I'll follow up with the results on how it all works out.
I signed up on a rent-your-bike website called Spinlister more than two years ago, listed a couple of my mountain bikes on it then promptly forgot about it. Got one nibble once, then the guy cancelled before the rental date. Fast forward to this week, I got a Spinlister notification that someone wants to rent the mountain bikes. A little back and forth with the messages and it turns out road bikes would be better for them, so I list a couple of those, too.
I just sent these two out the door this morning with a nice young couple of world travelers. Did some seatpost adjustment, swapped in their choice of saddles, packed them some flat kits and basic tools and off they go. Theoretically, they'll bring them back Saturday night and Spinlister pays me $96. I'll follow up with the results on how it all works out.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#2
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How much is Spinlister's take, and what protection do you have against loss or damage?
Seems like it could be a good thing, depending probably on your location and the likely clientele. I suspect you are in a good spot in both regards.
Seems like it could be a good thing, depending probably on your location and the likely clientele. I suspect you are in a good spot in both regards.
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That's interesting. I could imagine it would be popular in the Boston area though we do have a public bike share program. I would worry the bikes might not return, but then again I wouldn't be offering the jewels of my fleet for this purpose.
#5
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The Peugeot above is currently for sale for $175 (I thought it would be gone at that price ages ago), the Shogun drop bar bike I would value a little higher, but not planning on selling at this time.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 05-07-15 at 02:17 PM.
#6
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I got lots of bites last weekend, people asking to rent my Bianchi Volpe. Unfortunately, I was away for the weekend. They wanted it for the five-boro bike tour. I got another bite a week or two ago. Funny, because I listed it long ago. Maybe spinlister has had (or put forth) some publicity lately, or it's achieving critical mass.
My question is how to set my rate. I set it at $30/day, which is probably too low. I figure wear and tear will be substantial.
My question is how to set my rate. I set it at $30/day, which is probably too low. I figure wear and tear will be substantial.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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Interesting concept. AirBnB for bikes?
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Looks like the newer road and triathlon bikes in my area go for $50 a day. Vintage bikes in good shape $20-$30. some bikes as low as $15. Looks like a lot of bikes have racks and fenders.
#10
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#12
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I have about six bikes on Spinlister. I have a couple vintage (Schwinn ladies, and Raleigh SS) a couple carbon bikes, a steel Ritchey cyclocross, and an aluminum/cf bike. They are all $22 or less per day, and 5x that for the week. In the last year I rented one 3 weeks, and another for one day. I have a day rental of my Lemond on May 31st.
I'm disappointed but I'm located in the burbs - not convenient for visitors.
I'm disappointed but I'm located in the burbs - not convenient for visitors.
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#13
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I live two doors down from an entrance into a park by a creek. Has a regional multi user path right behind the house & people visiting the area park in the neighborhood. I use that to my advantage & park bikes out front with For Sale signs. Maybe I should put "For Rent".
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I like the idea. What would your liability be if the renter hurts themselves on your bike? If your crank snaps, etc.?
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#16
incazzare.
I wouldn't do this unless I had bikes I truly didn't care about. A careless renter locks up poorly or not at all? Your bike is gone. They crash? Your bike is messed up and they're probably going to find some way to blame you. Jerks decide to take your road bike off some BMX jumps? Forget it.
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#17
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The damage to the bike part is far less important than the liability. I'd need something limiting my liability to the renter and indemnifications for third party damages.
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I would hope that part of Spinlister's cut goes toward insurance premiums that list the actual bike provider as an additional insured and has hefty per person and per incident coverage limits, like $1,000,000/$2,000,000. Otherwise, I would strongly advise folks not to get involved with it, as great an idea as it is. If somebody crashes while riding your bike and gets badly hurt or worse, you will be sued. Maybe by them, maybe by their next of kin, maybe by their medical insurer (believe me, medical insurers will want to be reimbursed for what they paid out). You do not want to have to fork up for the lawyer, especially since defense lawyers have to be paid hourly; they do not work on contingency.
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Yep, the DeRosa, Merckx & Grandis are off limits. So are all the lesser bikes in top condition. I've got enough decent beaters to offer a pretty good selection. I can afford to risk more than a few.
Admittedly, half the fun is meeting new people and sending them out for a little adventure in a place that has lots of great places to ride. Secondary motive is to get travelers in the door of the the little hotel I run, where I keep most of my bikes. I'm hanging out there all day anyway, I may as well rent some bikes while I'm there
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#21
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I am guessing, but can't say for sure, that is the case. In any event, I'd like to think they are clever enough to know any potential plaintiff is more likely to go after the Internet Startup and its insurers than the guy who has little to his name other than a couple of used bikes.
Yep, the DeRosa, Merckx & Grandis are off limits. So are all the lesser bikes in top condition. I've got enough decent beaters to offer a pretty good selection. I can afford to risk more than a few.
Admittedly, half the fun is meeting new people and sending them out for a little adventure in a place that has lots of great places to ride. Secondary motive is to get travelers in the door of the the little hotel I run, where I keep most of my bikes. I'm hanging out there all day anyway, I may as well rent some bikes while I'm there
Yep, the DeRosa, Merckx & Grandis are off limits. So are all the lesser bikes in top condition. I've got enough decent beaters to offer a pretty good selection. I can afford to risk more than a few.
Admittedly, half the fun is meeting new people and sending them out for a little adventure in a place that has lots of great places to ride. Secondary motive is to get travelers in the door of the the little hotel I run, where I keep most of my bikes. I'm hanging out there all day anyway, I may as well rent some bikes while I'm there
I went through this a while back...a local wedding planner/venue wanted to rent my triplet. We hit a snag over deposits and third party liability. It wasn't worth it to me to have potentially drunk wedding guests riding my tandem.
I would also check local laws - my guess is that in philly the actual code would require a license of some sort, and for sure the person is supposed to register with the city and pay our business privilidge tax. All of the Ubers and airbnbs exist by promoting illegal behavior by their clients, and I doubt this is any different.
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 05-07-15 at 08:31 PM.
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Admittedly, half the fun is meeting new people and sending them out for a little adventure in a place that has lots of great places to ride. Secondary motive is to get travelers in the door of the the little hotel I run, where I keep most of my bikes. I'm hanging out there all day anyway, I may as well rent some bikes while I'm there
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#24
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None of this would be worth it to me as the potential for damages to me far outweigh the reward of 20-30 dollars a day. All of my bikes have top shelf frames and components, or are otherwise too old and antiquated for this type of use. If I were young and had nothing to loose this sort of thing may be appealing, but after dating a medical mal practice attorney and a judge, I gaurantee that you are liable when you rent your property out to strangers. This is the sort of thing that you need your own insurance policy for if you want to be covered.
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Absolutely would NEVER enter into this arrangement.
Liability varies from state to state and you can surely bet the possibility of being dragged into a mess, even from the most simple fall by a renter OR if they hit and ran over a child on your bike. Plus you're an individual that some potential plaintiff with a pitbull lawyer could wipe you out. You agreed and contracted - regardless. Do you realize the amount of potential legal defense and expense you would need? Even simple appearance and court filing fees should make you think twice.
Should you think collecting the occasional measley $25 - $50 is worth the risk and a great business plan, you might as well protect your azz, register as an LLC or Inc. That being and only then can understand a volume based profit center for some resort or beach boardwalk entering in a contract with this rental operation.
As individual never exchange money for the rental! One would be far better and safer off by loaning a bike and taking zero dollars OR tell a potential who wants to rent a bike, direct them to a LBS or perhaps hit Wallymart and purchase a $125 bike. When done with it, have them give it away or leave at the curb.
Liability varies from state to state and you can surely bet the possibility of being dragged into a mess, even from the most simple fall by a renter OR if they hit and ran over a child on your bike. Plus you're an individual that some potential plaintiff with a pitbull lawyer could wipe you out. You agreed and contracted - regardless. Do you realize the amount of potential legal defense and expense you would need? Even simple appearance and court filing fees should make you think twice.
Should you think collecting the occasional measley $25 - $50 is worth the risk and a great business plan, you might as well protect your azz, register as an LLC or Inc. That being and only then can understand a volume based profit center for some resort or beach boardwalk entering in a contract with this rental operation.
As individual never exchange money for the rental! One would be far better and safer off by loaning a bike and taking zero dollars OR tell a potential who wants to rent a bike, direct them to a LBS or perhaps hit Wallymart and purchase a $125 bike. When done with it, have them give it away or leave at the curb.