Potential own business - buggy hire

[EyeballsplayswithCake]

I've potentially got some money to start a business and one of the things I was mulling over was buggy hire. I'm a bit of an addict myself and not too good at the selling on bit as some of you are, so this is something that would appeal to me. I also thought it might appeal to people for, say, hiring a double buggy for six months if your dc1 isn't quite up to walking everywhere but you won't need a double forever.

I've had a google and there are only one or two other places doing this and they seem to have quite a limited range and concentrate more on holiday hire.

What would you think of this? It's something I keep coming back to and mulling over but I don't know if it's a goer.

Im not sure - would people not just buy a double buggy for example and sell it on afer used it for 6 months then really only paid what they would hire one for or less and also posting the things would be a nightmare.

there was a co called chariotsonhire who did this. i thoguht it was great as i never could make up my mind what sodding buggy would best suit us (i had 3 under 3 too, so changing needs an all that)
the woman running it closed it down after a year or so, and when i asked her why she said it was far too much hassle and that a few people had made off with the buggies meaning there was no profit left in it.

it sounds like a v useful service, but a risky business to own.

Hmm, good points. I was thinking of people like me who don't really do all the selling on stuff on ebay etc. Two companies I have looked at use a courier service that they arrange to pick up so minimal fuss for customer.

Thanks

Really Vaguely? See that's the sort of thing I don't know about, potential risks like that. Yeah, I guess it's looking like it might be a nice idea in my head but not too good in reality.

I had thought of this when I was testing twin buggies for a parenting magazine and also when I was thinking about what twin buggy would suit me.

I suppose you ask for a deposit that is low enough not to put people off, but high enough to recoup your costs should someone do a runner with the prams.

My thought was more of a try before you buy service so much shorter hire periods than six months, but then as the parent of a 6mo old and a nearly 2 yo who now wants to walk everywhere, I am kind of wondering whether I shouold have forked out as much as I did for a P&T double when a £140 graco would have done the job just as well and then I could have got a really nice single.

It may appeal to childminders. Though to be honest, childcarers tend to borrow things from other childcarers - we all tend to have things kicking around, so just lend them out when we are not using them ourselves.

Delivery and Returns are going to be an issue I feel... you will want to have someone sign for things - but couriers often only say which day they will deliver, not give a time slot. Personally I hate waiting around all day for a delivery.

the woman at chariots on hire had courier delivery etc all sorted... was just the fact that a few people defaulted and then she was making a loss.
it IS a good idea, for those of us who would be honest customers. but it doesnt take many people to spoil it tho, does it.