Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hey everyone brand new here to SUN. Came across it while using "stumbleupon" which I love by the way.  I wanted it to involve 2 aspect of my life that I really enjoy, computers and guitar. Anyways here is the jist I thought of:

I was always going on business trips and vacations and I was sick of having to leave my expensive guitar at home. It`s always iffy putting them through baggage check. So I did some searching to find a rental guitar in the city I was visiting and I didn`t really find anything on a professional level. So here I am trying to start up my website business renting guitars in my area.

I think of it as 2 fold right now. Me having rental guitars for my area and trying to take on partners who will do it in other major cities and having a central guitar rental site on internet.

I designed the site myself (kinda). I downloaded a free template but I had to learn CSS and all that cool stuff to modify it. It took my about 2 weeks to get right but I think it turned out OK.

anyways here it is....... www.fretsforrent.com

It`s already showing up on google withing the first 3 pages since I guess there isn`t really a demand for this yet. Just search rental guitar, rent a guitar, etc... Some places do "rent to own" stuff so don`t let them confuse you!
Also I bought some adwords stuff so please DONT click those! haha thanks.



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Guitar Repair - RepairMyGuitar.com - The Guitar Repair Directory

neat idea. I would think you could contact a national chain maybe Guitar Center or something like that and see if they would offer guitars. It beats you having to build up locations in each city and allows you to expand your products, electric guitar, accousic guitars, drums, microphones, etc.

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He who gets greedy like a pig, gets slaughtered like a hog!

Yes I know that would be optimal right? But what would they need me for you know? They could just do it themselves since they already have the infrastructure in place, I don`t know why they haven`t already. I was hoping to get a chain of individual owners with extra <500$ guitars laying around that would be dedicated to the idea. I just don`t really know how to get word out there but hopefully I can learn some ways here.


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Guitar Repair - RepairMyGuitar.com - The Guitar Repair Directory

Interesting concept. I agree that you should contact national chains, or music stores in various areas to see if they would partner with you.

In "Extra Stuff", I would make sure to put in a line about these items being returned; I`m assuming you want all of it back, except for maybe picks and strings, but I don`t see it actually stated.

I think maybe a little work on the main page copy. I see the humor you`re putting into it, but maybe refine it just a bit.

The colors and layout are ok, but personally I`m not crazy about the top area being so much wider than the body.

And since when is a Squire considered high end?




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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

Yes I agree I guess it would be much better to partner with them but I`m just worried that they don`t need me and would just steal my idea. I don`t really know how business stuff works.

Thanks for the feedback I will clear that "extra stuff" up and make it clear. And ya the main page was just my type of humor. I wanted this to be fun for me and shy away from the serious business stuff! But I`ll work on it.

HA! its not high end but it`s what I have! Thats my other major problem is the security deposit issue. The person needs to be willing to take a hit on their CC for that. That`s also why I don`t think its practical to offer a guitar over $500 you know. Do you see any other way around it?


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Guitar Repair - RepairMyGuitar.com - The Guitar Repair Directory

Actually I liked the humor .... perhaps just a little rewording or changing the order of the text.

Yeah, the deposit could be a big factor, but I understand needing to protect yourself from possible theft. And without a good list of customers that have rented from you already and will back up your service, it may be a hard sell. One alternative, for your location anyway, could be a small studio they could use and never let them leave with the guitar; charge by the hour or something for using the studio area ( just a thought off the top of my head ).


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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

As you know, it’s a great idea. But why stop at guitars? I am a pro drummer and would be willing to loan/rent my kit out to a musician passing through. I also have a bass and acoustic electric, all in good shape, and mid to pro level brand and condition. Anyway… I used to rent my kits (once I had three). I wasn’t renting to anyone on a professional or “passing through” level, but mostly because I didn’t know how to connect with them. With the Internet now available, it’s a great idea… as we have said. If I can help, let me know. If you can rent my kit out frequently enough, I would be willing to buy another… So long as we both profit.

As for contacting chain stores… I wouldn’t waste my time. Those stores have their process set in stone. If they were interested, or thought there was a market there, they would do it. That doesn’t mean you can’t contact the smaller local music stores. Maybe they would like to team up for placement of advertising on your website. Anyway, they may be more willing to help you. But, if I had to predict the future, I think your network is going to be very difficult to manage. Locating reliable musicians that are willing to let their gear be played by strangers will be difficult too.

All in all, you have a great concept. As for the deposit issue... if the musician is touring, a deposit is not the problem. It’s the total cost of rental that a traveling musician is concerned about. The deposit can be given directly to the person loaning the instrument. Providing a receipt. The rental fee is taken by internet and a virtual payment system. Upon return of the instrument the gear owner would provide information to you, that the gear is returned and deposit is returned.

Anyway, just remember, you have to give the musician a reason to spend money, renting gear. Of course they have to ship their own gear… so there’s your price point! Make it more profitable than shipping or keeping track of gear while on tour.

What about those times the gear is returned damaged? You will need to work out those situations that are bound to occur with the individual renting the gear out.

In reference to the sight. I like the humorous style. I would also stress the abuse gear takes while on tour, a little more.
 


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

iouone2 -

Thanks for all the great ideas and insite. The reason I stopped at guitar is b/c 1. they are easy to move, 2. I didn`t think I was ready to start any bigger you know? I don`t really know the demand for any of this stuff. 3. I have no idea about any other instruments and what is considered good!. So basically that`s where I`m at mentally right now.

As for you talking about the touring musicians renting I had never even thought about that nor do I feel ready to supply guitars to them. I mean what if something goes wrong with the guitar and it prevents them from doing a gig? I wouldn`t want to be the cause of that I`d feel terrible! I was only thinking of the week long vacationer, business man on a trip kind of person.

As for damaged stuff I have written up a page long liability type thing that has charges for non returned items and damaged property. I guess that will work since I`ll have the security deposit.

And hey if you have older guitars laying around that you would be willing to rent in your area I`d be more than interested in working with you. I have already contacted someone in Seattle about integrating.

VinceTheTeeShirtGuy -

Thanks man I completely overlooked I didn`t have my amp up there! I have a cheapo amp and am going to purchase the whole headphones in the hotel kit this weekend. Yes I know the Squier isn`t high end but I don`t know what to call my packages then. Any ideas? Maybe just call them by name of the guitar? I can`t go too high end as I said before b/c the security deposit will be too high.

For the gig bag I completely agree but I seriously have 0 space to keep hardshell cases at my place. I do have one for my Breedlove and I`d def be giving that out in the case. Thanks for the advise!


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Guitar Repair - RepairMyGuitar.com - The Guitar Repair Directory