Re:Ask HN: Would you use an app to share and rent tools with...
by muzani on Thursday March 14, 2019 @08:12AM
(#19388481)
Low end tools like screwdrivers and hammers, I don't see this being profitable enough to be worth the trouble.
For the high end tools like masterwork knives and chainsaws - they're too valuable to rent out. You don't want someone chipping an heirloom knife. Rating them 1 star or banning them from the system isn't worth the pain nor is it illegal enough to be a deterrent. On the other hand, sharing apps like Airbnb and Uber has worked fine, and you can also provide insurance.
Also with things like chainsaws and power tools, they'd also need safety gear and training. They might as well just hire someone to do it.
The sweet spot seems to be in the middle - crowbars, power drills, power screwdrivers, shovels, lawnmowers. But these are quite cheap. I have two shovels because we bought a new one and didn't realize we had an old one.
I guess the real litmus test is... would you? It's not a big problem IMO and I've lived fine without it. It seems like one of those things that sounds like a great idea but isn't something I'd lose sleep over.
For the high end tools like masterwork knives and chainsaws - they're too valuable to rent out. You don't want someone chipping an heirloom knife. Rating them 1 star or banning them from the system isn't worth the pain nor is it illegal enough to be a deterrent. On the other hand, sharing apps like Airbnb and Uber has worked fine, and you can also provide insurance.
Also with things like chainsaws and power tools, they'd also need safety gear and training. They might as well just hire someone to do it.
The sweet spot seems to be in the middle - crowbars, power drills, power screwdrivers, shovels, lawnmowers. But these are quite cheap. I have two shovels because we bought a new one and didn't realize we had an old one.
I guess the real litmus test is... would you? It's not a big problem IMO and I've lived fine without it. It seems like one of those things that sounds like a great idea but isn't something I'd lose sleep over.