With the economy turning sour, people are looking for creative ways to save money. Many have turned to BorrowMe.com, an online forum where people can lend, rent or sell just about anything.
Users that are new to BorrowMe.com must begin by creating an online profile — similar to those found on Facebook or MySpace. Once the profile is created, users can then register items that they wish to lend or sell.
In addition, users can register “wishes” for items that they’re looking to rent or buy. When a wish is matched up with an item that someone else is looking to unload, users can be alerted with emails, text messages or even Facebook notifications.
Each BorrowMe.com user sets a geographic radius in which other site users are considered “neighbours.” For example, if Jane deems anyone living within a 50 km radius of her home to be a “neighbour,” then she would receive alerts when people living within this radius are looking to lend or sell something that she has requested.
Other sites work on the same principal. For example, Neighbourgoods.com is a site that enables people to relive the convenience of being able to ask your neighbour for a cup of sugar.
“I was really inspired by Freecycle, Craigslist and of course eBay,” Micki Krimmel, founder of Neighbourgoods.com told Readwriteweb.com.
“They’re really good at getting rid of things you don’t want anymore, but I wanted to tackle the problem from the other side: how do you keep things from being produced. Does every house on the block need a lawnmower?”
“The future looks bright for us because we are changing the way that people consume,” stated BorrowMe.com CEO, Sean Young. “I’ve spoken with students and officials from numerous university campuses and many have told me that our website offers a unique chance to improve sustainability.”
“Imagine that a student has completed his or her semester and no longer requires a textbook, microwave, couch or any kind of item for that matter. Instead of throwing the item out or storing it unnecessarily, the student can lend it, rent it [or] give it away,” said Young.
“The opportunities for borrowers to cut costs and for lenders to free up space are continuing to grow.”
Users of BorrowMe.com who are apprehensive about lending their possessions to strangers need not worry. A feature of the website allows users to give ratings to other users that they have lent items to in the past.
BorrowMe.com’s management says that if the borrowed object is broken when returned, the borrower must replace or repair it.
“If you borrow something and you break it, you’re responsible for fixing it or replacing it,” Young said. “When you lend something out you can take collateral, a deposit or there are other ways you can also protect your belongings through the site.”
A user wishing to rent or sell something on the site can enter the terms and conditions that he or she sees fit. A lowest acceptable rental rate or selling price can be entered. If the price is too high, however, other users looking to acquire the item will not be interested.
Young administers the website with the help of five other employees from a head office in Calgary, Alberta. The website is not just for individuals. Since its official launch on June 30 of this year, businesses and charities have shown an interest as well. The website boasts a total current count of about 1,800 users and continues to grow.
“We live in a throw away society,” said University of Manitoba Recycling and Environmental Group employee, Lisa Maskus. “People usually figure, ‘Oh I’m done with an item, I’m going to chuck it’ but some people will think to recycle it or donate it.”
Maskus explained that in order for a project like this to be successful, it has to have a strong promotional voice to explain to students that there are other options than the trash.
“I think [sites like Borrowme.com] will have an effect. The re-shop in the university brings in students who are looking for large items [that would have been thrown into the trash],” said Maskus.
Maskus said that UMREG would be interested in providing the same sort of services and, in a way, already does as UMREG has its own free shop where students can find items without having to worry about the price tag, and the item stays out of the trash.
With files from Morgan Modjeski.
