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stereo amps and preamps for rent,what do you think

hi my fellow audiogoners i am thinking of starting a very interesting new business.it will set the audio world on fire.i want to start a renting audio equintment.now this will include amps preamps dacs and cd player.but before i start investing i would like your input.do you think it is a good idea and will you want to rent stereo gear.it seems logical to me because i buy quite a bit of stuff and it does not suit my needs.i think a lot of you would agree.also you get to see if the piece is right for you.
128x128gotsouldr
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
This will never work, you may aswell stick your money in a paper shredder. Anyone serious with high end gear can deposit for a demo wich is what you are pretty much offering. This business couldnt survive on long term rentals unless you had unlimited income and didnt care about a profit, and didnt mind the very high chance of damage. I admire the whole new idea process but how could you make money on small rentals on one piece of gear, multiply that several fold for your start up inventory and it would take years to break even, in the meantime you need to invest in current products to stay relevant and it gets even harder to justify. Maybe someone smarter then I can figure out a way this would work, but I cant see it.
warnerwh
539 posts
 
Now if you also sold used high end gear it may work. I keep thinking of asking Kurt at Echo HiFi here in Portland if he'd rent me a tube amp. He will give you whatever you want with a money back guarantee though so that may be better yet.

Btw there's two used audio stores here in Portland. One carries purely high end while the other also carries vintage and lower grade high end although I've seem some Mac gear in there too. Both of these stores have been thriving for years.Kurt's store is downtown where rent is no doubt very high. He also has very good prices, about as good as Audiogon only you get a 3 month warranty. He's not getting rich but is doing fine.
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Keep thinking. Every great idea was preceded by a thousand bad ones.
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Warnerwh,

What and where are these two stores in Portland?? I am visiting there in September and would love to checkthem out.

KT
jj2468
280 posts
 
I would love it, but I don't see it flying as a viable business. On the other hand, wouldn't it be nice if many more manufacturers kept a component or two for test rental purposes. Of course, many manufacturers could do this but don't since the reality of the component often does not live up to its marketing and reviews. But, for those who really are confident in their product it would be a wonderful service.
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