I got an email last week about a new online service that helps people lend things to one another. It's called Lendaround.com and was founded by Tim Jackson, who is a "venture capitalist, entrepreneur, not-for-profiteer, and writer." I was immediately curious...
Rather than buy things online (Amazon) or sell stuff you don't want (eBay), Lendaround.com has greener, less commerical and, ultimately, more positive mission: to promote sharing over buying. It's starting with DVD's and then plans to move on to other items. This is from Jackson:
“Coming back from Rwanda or Lesotho and looking around my home, I was struck by how much stuff we all own and take for granted,” he said. Wouldn’t it be great if instead of leaving things to gather dust on shelves, we could lend them to our friends?”
“It’s like Netflix meets Facebook,” said Jackson, founder of LendAround.com. “You list some DVDs you own, invite some friends you like, and start browsing their collections. The web site helps arrange loans, and keeps track of where everyone’s DVDs are. And nobody pays anyone anything.”
I think this is a great idea, and I'm even more curious to see how it all works out in the day to day. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Jackie from LendAround has set up a special email for Unplggd readers to get invited to the private BETA. To join, email: apartmenttherapy@lendaround.com and ask to be subscribed. They'll get right back to you with a notification that will allow you to sign up.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Interesting concept, but how do you exchange the merchandise? I use the delicious library app to keep track of my media, and there is a function where you can keep track of who has borrowed an item. However, I keep forgetting to update it!
view etslee's profile
You "request" certain DVD's you'd like (either from your contact's list of owned items, or in the general database). Then they decide if they want to let you borrow it, and then send it to you. It tracks who you're trading with.
It's an interesting concept for sure. It's still in beta, but I do like that reporting something (bug or features) actually returns a response, not just a black hole or canned response :)
-Ruth
view cptnruthless's profile
The answer to etslee's question is that LendAround keeps track of who's borrowed what for you! You won't have to remember to update, as you would with a piece of software on your Mac.
We record you agree to lend something to someone, and when the person receives it they let us know. That way you can check through your DVD collection and find out where every single disk is -- even if you've long ago forgotten.
What's more, the service allows you to lend and borrow DVDs with your friends for free. If you were expecting to pay $40 for software, we'd be happy if you gave the money to charity instead.
view Tim Jackson's profile
Hello:
I thought it would be useful to share information about a website - http://www.things2offer.com - allows you to lend/share, donate and, buy and sell things, ANYTHING, for FREE!
I too was in similar situation and saw the opportunity that most of the things could be lent/shared with friends and relatives, also could be donated to the needy. So, to help myself and others who are in similar situations, I created a website - http://www.things2offer.com - website to lend/share, donate and, buy and sell things, ANYTHING, for FREE! May be the site will be useful to you next time you want to lend/share or donate or sell. You can even request to lend/share or request for donation or request to buy things from others.
Wish you good luck!
--Sannidhi--
view sannidhi01's profile