Extended loaner program? Opinons?

Just came up with what i believe is a fabulous idea, one thing to note is this would be quite a ways in the future. Taking off from Greg and Matt's idea with the Manometer whats the opinions on specialty tool loaner program? It would be fully supported by donations and could include tools needed for any kind of task.. automotive, electrical etc.

I'd have it automated, for example someone would be able to look at list and see what was available, waiting time etc.. If they wanted to use the tool they'd sign up for it. Once the next guy needed it a email would automatically be sent to the person that has it where they need to send it next.

Only issue is them not getting sent like we have now but I could require a deposit especially for expensive items. Maybe even a small but required "donation" too.

What do you guys think?

A great idea,, but will require someone with a fair amount of 'free-time' at home to hold, retrieve the items when they no longer are in use..

Some items may not get used a lot..


Greg L

LsFarm wrote:A great idea,, but will require someone with a fair amount of 'free-time' at home to hold, retrieve the items when they no longer are in use..

Well you just let last person keep it until next person requests it. I'd really have to consider a sure fire way to make sure they don't get stolen. It would certainly be possible for someone to try and steal items on purpose. I could limit it to people with x amount of posts. Maybe a stipulation for regular address listed in phone book.

Actually now that I'm looking at Paypal donation I could confirm address with that. If I required a minimal doantion to take advantage of it, by minimal I mean like $5. That will at least give me confirmed address.

You could always make the borrower put down a refundable deposit for the item. That would keep the occasional visitor like myself from borrowing something and 'forgetting' to return it for months. I don't think anyone who is legitimately going to borrow from the program would hava a problem putting up a refundable deposit. It will discourage the folks who see this as an easy way to score a tool from participating.

Yea but that would require a lot of time and expense, I need something that is simple and easy. I can't take deposits through paypal because it's too easy for them to charge it back. Plus I'd imagine the transaction fees would still apply if not more... I know most people would be honest but lets face it some thief comes along this could be like a candy store if it wasn't set up right.

LsFarm wrote:Wouldn't this tools program be more difficult to use than just renting from the average tool rental place?

Guess it depends on the tool, if you need it now or it weighs a lot then certainly wouldn't be worth the effort. I'm thinking more along the lines of specialty items that you only really need on occasion... you know things you might never buy or aren't available to be rented. For example, I was thinking a steam cleaner would be nice thing. How many times a year would you need one of them? The issue there is that it weighs a very lot and the shipping would be killer then you have wear and tear etc... Something like that would probably not be good idea, would only work if the people were close enough to actually take it to the next person house.

Now on the other hand I'll offer another example of what would work. If you're capturing old VHS or Hi-8 tapes there is a device called TBC, what this does is correct sync issues. If you have old VHS tapes check where some high contrast areas and you'll see that the it looks like part of the picture is extending past where it should be or worse they may skew. This can fix that but the they start at about $350. It's a solid device, very small and could probably be hooked up and ran indefintely. You average homeowner is not going to be able to afford it or want to invest in it, plus once they get all there tapes transferred they can only sell it and unless someone know what it's worth thats going to be tough sell.

The more I think about it the more I like the idea, anybody know anywhere else doing anything like this?

On a diesel truck forum I frequent they have a loaner program for a drilling jig that allows a person to do a repair on the Cummins engine.. This jig loaner program is what gave me the idea for the Manometer Loaner Program.

So far, related to coal burning, or installing a coal appliance, only the Manometer as a difficult-to-impossible to rent item is the only think I can think of..

I thought of a HD moving dolly, Good Aluminum pipe wrenches, Tin Snips and crimpers for flue pipe installs. But all of these items can be rented or purchased at Lowes or Home Depot..

I'm still thinking..

I do think that setting up a wholesale source for good CO detectors, smoke detectors, and Barometric dampers would be a great service to our membership..

I usually don't come to this feedback forum,,, maybe a new topic or a topic title leading to this topic.

The forum readership adding items to the list would be helpful. I'm not sure we will get enough response here.. or it's just me..

Greg

Off topic but how about a section on "Internet Deals". I run across tools & stuff all the time.
Maybe even a "request" section.

Hey Guys! There was talk of a tool loaner program. It is the season and there has been alot of posts to the effect of people putting pex in the ground. Well to make it short, I have a pex crimp tool thats available as soon as I make 4 more crimps. Is this a good Idea? Or will that kind of tool find a new home? It only does 1" Scott

Well you hit on another idea that had too, not only could the loaner program purchase tools but those that had them could donte them to them cause. Certainly there is lot of tools in lot of basements that are just sitting there gathering dust that may never get used again. The issue for something like is shipping costs, what does the cool cost and would it be worth it? One way it could be made worth it is if kits were put together to include a lot of specialized tools for one purpose, For example you have one that does 1 inch but a kit could be put together for multiple sizes and could include other tools you may need for that job.

I need to borrow or buy a post hole pounder and hay baling equipment. Anyone getting out of farming?