Comments on: LendAround is a great alternative to buying

By: to do: lend/borrow videos instead of renting « The Recovering Procrastinator

Tue, 11 May 2010 19:37:51 +0000

[...] Procrastinator under just fun [3] Comments I learned about LendAround two days ago on Unclutter. I signed up for the waiting list and got “invited” by the owner yesterday. I have [...]

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:00:56 +0000

Different Peter – Goodreads has some features for booklending, and if I’m not mistaken it looks like that’s been expanded recently. If you go to the friends section, there is a tab called “Books my friends own”, and an area for bookswaps (not too sure about this part, as none of my friends or I are participating).

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:06:08 +0000

That’s a fascinating observation — saying no isn’t an option “if you live in the South”.

The way we’ve built LendAround is that if you don’t want to agree to lend a movie to one of your friends, your ‘refusal’ is actually silent — a bit like declining someone’s Facebook friendship.

Since a movie can often be owned by more than one person in your circle of your friends, the chance that the borrower will take personal offence is low, particularly since there are good-faith reasons why you might be unable to lend (can’t find the disk, want to watch it tonight, are away on vacation, etc).

By: Leann

Leann — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:42:45 +0000

“You’re in control all the time. If a friend asks to borrow something of yours, saying yes is always optional.” Not if you live in the South. If I said no my mom might find out and accuse me of being unfriendly. Horrors. I never “lend” anything that leaves home. In my mind I’ve given it away, and if it comes back I’m pleasantly surprised.

By: Coffee Nuht

Coffee Nuht — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:50:13 +0000

That’s why movies and PS3 and Xbox games almost *never* leave our house. And I don’t loan books unless I intend on never getting it back. I’ve been burned too many times in the past with letting people borrow my stuff and then insist I *gave* it to them to keep. I don’t loan anything out, ever, anymore.

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:19:30 +0000

If people know others can see they’ve borrowed something, maybe that would shame them into returning it promptly. I’ve had people swear they didn’t borrow a movie from me when I know they did. One person insisted it belonged to her brother and gave it to him, and the jerk didn’t set her straight because he wanted the DVD.

By: Rose Fakata

Rose Fakata — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:04:07 +0000

We did this informally when we were in a largely student and post-college environment. Plates, pots and pans, folding chairs, music stands, bicycles, shawls/wraps, costume jewelry and kids formal clothing were just some of the things that I remember being loaned or borrowed.
I also know of a large family where they have purchased dinnerware (all white), folding chairs and tables, and ($$) outdoor lanterns — all alike. They use it at their (5) respective homes, but whenever one entertains a large group, they pull it all together and have what they need. It works amazingly well.

By: Eileen Jackson

Eileen Jackson — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:47:14 +0000

We have a barter and exchange that we are currently developing here on Whidbey Island. We trade everything from piano lessons to duck eggs. I like the name Lend Around though.

By: mstreemn

mstreemn — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:52:38 +0000

what a great idea
it would be nice to have a way to share with an extended group. Most of the time people end up renting or buying something instead of borrowing because we don’t know who has what.

My friend just bought a carpet cleaner when I would have been happy to lend mine she didn’t know I had one…

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:41:56 +0000

I’m the founder of LendAround.com — it’s great to see people are so enthusiastic and interested.

To reduce the frustration for people who want to try it out but don’t want to spend too long on the waiting list for our private beta, please click on this URL and when you join the waiting list, we’ll give your request priority:

http://www.lendaround.com?unclutterer

By: Geri

Geri — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:57:33 +0000

I just tried to sign up, but since it’s still in beta version, they have closed the subscriber list for now. I signed up for the waiting list. Great idea, though. I’m eager to see what other types of lending sites appear or are already out there.

By: Shalin

Shalin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:23:30 +0000

This sounds like a great way for periodic tracking of your stuff. It’s kinda you are your own micro-Netflix

Also, what a cool way to strike up conversation and fun social events!
“Hey, I didn’t know you had that movie!”
“Oh, yeah, I’ve got more by that director”
“Movie marathon night?”
“Sounds great!”

Now…I would looooooooooove it if people would put their tools on here. I’m constantly on the lookout for tool libraries or communal workshops…

Best,
Shalin

By: Springpeeper

Springpeeper — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:20:03 +0000

@Erin – Oh,I get it now! This IS a good idea!
Sorry for being snarky earlier…

By: Peter (a different one)

Peter (a different one) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:26:48 +0000

Man, now I have to get off my butt and finish the site I am working on for books… Same kind of idea, I have sooo many books, and don’t need more, but I have an awful time remembering who borrowed what.

Maybe if I ever finish it, Unclutterer will highlight me : )

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:18:14 +0000

@Springpeeper — I think it’s more about letting your friends know what you have, not about keeping tabs on your stuff. I have no clue what movies even my closest friends have in their collections.