Try before you buy?

BTW, if anyone wants to check out what I've built so far, you can download the app for free from the App Store. For now, I've just got an iOS version, but Android is in the works. :)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lendi/id1296139839

@meadowman - Right now there isn't a sales path built-in to the app, though there is a plan to have one. My idea is to have authorized dealer accounts so dealers have a new sales channel. As for if you get to buy the borrowed pair of cables, that's up to the manufacturer and dealer. In the case of Cardas, for example, they have laser engraved all of the cables in my library as loaners. So, if you wanted to buy the cables, they'd ship you a new pair.
There's certainly a lot of room for abuse, which is why the trust system that has been built is so vital. Here's how it works:
Each time you participate in a transaction either as a borrower or a lender (users can be both), the other party reviews their transaction with you. These reviews are analyzed by the system, and you're assigned a trust score from 0 to 100. Everyone starts at zero. The higher your score, the more trustworthy you're deemed to be. If you have a low score, other users won't lend to or borrow from you, so you have an incentive not to game the system. Obviously, it's more complex than that. But in a nutshell, that's how it works.
@sts - That's a reality I lived when I worked for MIT all those years. It's just something we had to deal with. Many customers are not that way, though.

I know The Cable Company very well, as they were a dealer of ours when I was at MIT (they probably still are). They’re a great company run by a great guy. But because they require customers to buy first, then offer them trade-in on future purchases, I just can’t call what they do a “lending library,”

The library I’m building requires users to pay for shipping, and they have the option to purchase accidental damage protection, but other than that, it’s completely free.

Is is anyone interested in being a beta user? I have about $100K worth of cables available right now.

Thanks for that clarification, @jwpstayman. You're right, I just looked at the terms. 5% non-refundable deposit, though the deposit does get applied to any purchase you make. Not bad. Still, free would be better, especially if you are looking at some expensive cables.

@nonoise - That’s a terrific point. To address this issue I have a trust system that I built to weed out the people who abuse the system. Time will tell how effective it is. I’m sure it will evolve in the same manner that The Cable Co’s policies did.

@lowrider57 - Yes, I require a credit card to be on file in order for people to borrow my stuff. I offer them a choice to purchase accidental damage protection to protect themselves and me in case something happens.
@sbank - That’s really the point of this; to make an online audio club. :)

I hope to get that out soon, @jtcf. I'll do my best.

@vista1868 - I would love to carry all sorts of cables from other manufacturers large and small. If you have any contacts that I could reach out to, please let me know. I'd love that.

@vista1868 - Good points, all.
@michaelgreenaudio - Yep, Robert is the man. And thanks!

I agree, @maplegrovemusic. With the way I've designed Lendi, there will be bad players who take advantage of the system. But they'll only do it once before everybody else in the community decided they won't deal with them anymore. Thanks for the comment!

That's fantastic, Michael. I hope you're right about things coming back around.

You got it, @meadowman. I have a lunch appointment with an Android developer today. I'm hoping to get him onboard soon.

@crazyeddy - Right now we're piloting in the US, but after the pilot I do plan on opening things up internationally. I'll probably do it one country at a time, Canada being the next obvious choice. There's a lot to consider. For example: warehousing & logistics, not to mention limitations that manufacturing partners might put on us.

Will do!

Hey everyone! This week a Lendi user helped me identify and fix a problem with the "return a product" flow. It was a major bug, and I'm happy to say that a pair of $10K Cardas Audio cables are now on their way back to me thanks to this user's honesty and trustworthiness.
If you're interested in borrowing something from the warehouse, please download the app and sign up for an account. Right now, Lendi's only available for iOS, but an Android version is in development as of late last week.
https://apple.co/2DFsYAu

Hey guys. I just uploaded a new release of Lendi into the App Store. This version fixed a bug with the Facebook login system and addressed iPhone X formatting problems.