How rental ‘libraries of things’ have become the new way to save money - eviltoast
From baby clothes to popcorn makers, borrowing items rather than buying them is a growing trend

The theory is simple: instead of buying a household item or a piece of clothing or some equipment you might use once or twice, you take it out and return it.

    • turmacar@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      6 months ago

      So you just didn’t read the article?

      One person hired a metal detector to hunt down the wedding ring they lost when camping in Sussex and found it within 20 minutes. Another rented a planer at £11 a day to fix two doors in her flat

      A handheld pressure washer is £12 a day, while garden shears are £3.50

      Renting is the “subscription” you’re complaining about. You’re right that rent-to-own is a scam at best, but unlike most digital subscriptions you’re using the thing to do something. Like with all rentals there’s a break even line where you would’ve been better buying the thing if you use it often/long enough. But the service existing is not itself a bad thing.

      • john89@lemmy.caEnglish
        13·
        6 months ago

        It’s not nearly as bad as it is now.

        And it was always a scam, even back then.