I have an engine hoist I just picked up and I was thinking about renting it out for like 20 bucks a pull. Has any one seen something like this? It really is a dumb thing to go out and buy, if I could have rented one for 20 dollars I would have done it.
I really just want to help some other people out.
Any thoughts on this?
Ways to make sure I get it back?
Need for insurance on something like this?
Make sure you get a deposit. Something substantial, like the cost of the lift, up front.
In the end, I don't think it's worth it to rent out on CL. Maybe offer your services to lift stuff instead. That way, you're not letting CL idiots use your lift.
Rent it out for $20, but require a $120 cash deposit. Deposit returnable on return of hoist in good condition. If they don't bring it back, go to HF and buy another one with their money and rent that one out.
One possibility to limit risk is "Man with Hoist" appointment. Get a deposit for a specific time, you deliver and assist (to whatever degree you choose) and the client pays "X" $$ for use of hoist. Set it up to cover your delivery + an hour with a set additional amount for an extra 30 minutes or a second hour. Whatever time they don't end up using is refunded from the deposit once you are loaded to leave. Plus side, you are not handing your "Baby" ( the hoist ) to a Samsonite Gorilla.
Just my 2 cents 
Maybe I'm paranoid or a wimp, but I'd be afraid of some moron dropping the car he was lifting onto himself and his wife getting all my stuff...
I have a hoist and have loaned it out to friends on several occasions. Friends, mind you. People I know and hang out with/know where they live, etc.
On a couple of instances, said hoist came back missing things. Nothing major, but a lost nut here, a missing clip there. On the plus side of things, I did lend it out once to a friend and he said it was leaking/losing pressure.....so he bought a rebuild kit and rebuilt the ram! It started leaking again soon after, but hey, it's the thought that counts, right??? 
I can't imagine what would happen if I rented it to some unknown/random element.......probably nothing good!
And you couldn't pay me enough to work on other unknown people's stuff....a quick 30 min. "no problem" project turns into a full day......full day when I coulda been working on my own stuff....
Hocrest wrote:Maybe I'm paranoid or a wimp, but I'd be afraid of some moron dropping the car he was lifting onto himself and his wife getting all my stuff...
Not worth it. Liabilty, broken parts, missed appointments, tracking down losers for your stuff back. etc, etc. There are eaiser ways to make twenty bucks. If you don't need the hoist, sell it. Buy another one in the future if you need one again. Consider the difference between purchase and sale price as your rental fee.
Man: "Honey, if I die, I want you to sell all of my stuff."
Woman: "Why?"
Man: "If you remarry, I don't want some idiot using my stuff."
Woman: "What makes you think I'd marry another idiot?"
Sounds like a good idea. I have a professional cherry picker and a couple of engine stands doing nothing but rust on my sideyard. They were free, so any income from them is profit
I wouldn't rent a Chinese screwdriver for $50 to someone from Craigslist.
