Wanted to see if anyone had any good systems for renting out par meters? I’ve seen people who just charge a $600 deposit but I would like to see if any body had a better system they use to ensure no one steals it? I figured taking down addresses or copies of a license is better than nothing but really wanted to hear other people’s ideas.
Renting out par meter
- Thread starter Cichlid23
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cherith
Community Member
I don’t really have any ideas about a better way to rent. A $500 deposit seems like a good method, but it better be a top notch meter in excellent condition—in case the deposit holder absconds. I’m looking to rent one if anyone has come up with a better system and has a good meter to rent.
cherith
Community Member
Daniel, the Aquatics manager at Whities, seemed interested when I asked him about it. If enough of us would show interest, Whities might do it.
So I own a $500 meter that I bought about a year ago and used about two times and have thought about renting it out. Now with that being said, my meter is in 100% perfect condition. It’s been rinsed off every time it’s used it’s never been dropped. There is no blemishes no damage whatsoever on this meter.. I will guarantee you the first or second person that borrows it drops it at least once or twice and most likely doesn’t even rinse it off when they’re done now I would want at least the $500 deposit so I can buy a new one if it got damaged but also what would it be worth for someone like me to go through the trouble of packaging it up and shipping it out and then having to worry about someone breaking it and then sending it back to me . How much of a charge do you think you’d be willing to pay to borrow or rent this? Because again if not at least $80 or 100 it wouldn’t be worth my time.
The sensor is very fragile is dropped I believe it’s glass inside and could crack or shatter and then not be accurate and again the person who rented it would still return it and expect their money back. Eventually the rente would have to be the bad guy and keep a deposit !!! Accidents do happen I get that but I’m not gunna be out 550$ and I’m sure anyone who bought one of these expensive meters feel the same.
Lbrdsoxfan
5000 Club Member
This.
I loan locally but I ask for complete cost of the par sensor up front (225$ for par sensor + 50$ if a cheapo bare bones laptop is needed) and subtract 25$ from deposit initially and then every 7 days after that until I get it back or they paid for it. I also check the par meter before & after the loan before deposit is returned.
Difference is I'm doing it with a much cheaper apogee sq420 versus a mq510 or the like. I'd be mortified to loan out a 500$+ par meter with shipping involved. Unfortunately I just can't trust society as a whole to treat equipment well.
Upside is that I've paid for the par meter a few times now.
That’s just it you can’t trust anyone to treat equipment well especially if it’s not their own. And even if it is some people just have no sense.
So you are only charging 25$ for the rental ? I can’t see how that would be good enough
We spend hundreds on a meter to use on our own tank 2-3x then let someone else not have to pay hundreds and only pay 25$ to use it hmmmm but I guess if that’s what it’s going for no wonder why there is not so many people willing to rent them out :)
Lbrdsoxfan
5000 Club Member
25 bucks a week but I don't ship and they come to me for pick up/drop off.
I guess not having to deal with the shipping is huge and pick up and drop off at your house saves most the trouble. Good idea
Lbrdsoxfan
5000 Club Member
Trust me, people as a whole are dumb as rocks, lol. I dont mind common sense questions about the rental, but in not an clairvoyant for aquariums, lol.
I've loaned mine out once but it was to a fellow member whom I felt confident I could trust and I offered, they didn't ask to borrow it. Insured shipping was around $40 round trip so I'm not sure what would even be a fair amount for a rental. Not that in am interested in renting mine. It would be too much of a hassle for me obtaining deposits and such.
Even though it's something thats not used a lot it's still the most valuable tool I have and worth every penny I paid. Some tool's are priceless even if they don't get used a lot. The right tool for the right job I always say as I was handing my card to the snapon dealer year after year.
Even though it's something thats not used a lot it's still the most valuable tool I have and worth every penny I paid. Some tool's are priceless even if they don't get used a lot. The right tool for the right job I always say as I was handing my card to the snapon dealer year after year.
fodsod
Well-Known Member
I bought an Apogee 510 a while back and figured it was just part of the cost of reef keeping. I wouldn't hand it over to anyone unless I had the full replacement cost secured.
Not to mention the full price coverage insurance for shipping to cover it 100% if damaged during shipping. I see what UPS, Fed Ex and USPS do to boxes daily and it's not pretty.
Not to mention the full price coverage insurance for shipping to cover it 100% if damaged during shipping. I see what UPS, Fed Ex and USPS do to boxes daily and it's not pretty.
Exactly
Yep it would have to be insured for full cost
So in 40$ just for shipping round trip I think I’m in a good ballpark of what I would want total 80-100 so 40-60$ to rent plus shipping but still won’t do it lol
Lavey29
10K Club member
My LFS just rented one to me for 40 with no deposit. Some small business neighborhoods can still do business the old fashion way where your word is your word and still means something. Very rare now though.
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