What Do You All Think Of This Business Idea ?
Decorating By snarkybaker Updated 30 Sep 2006 , 4:12am by Viks
I've been looking at my own collection of bakewar etc. and thought "Jeez...I've got about 10 thousand dollars tied uo in this stuff. It takes up a ton of space, and somehow, when I get an order, it's for a cake that requires that I buy another ___________( pan, fondant cutter/roller etc.)"
So, I was thinking that a lending library of cake decorating supplies would be a great idea. Sort of like Netflicks, but with bakeware.
Graet idea ? Bad idea? Since people here would be exactly the market I'd be looking for, I'd like to know what you think.
Great idea! I also seem to buy a new pan or other piece of equipment for each new cake. Storage is scarce as well!!! I'm about to buy plastic boxes and move less used things to the attic.
If you are thinking of doing it for people locally in your area, it could work great. But I'm wondering how cost effective it would be to ship things. Netflix works great because the shipping cost is low for them and they are able to ship quickly. If you send larger packages, they could take longer and be more costly to ship.
It certainly is worth more thought. I know I would love to use something for a lower price than the purchase price and be able to send it back for someone else to use.
I think it's an awesome idea.......I've seen on here where people say that their local cakd decor. stores rent out different pans for about 2-3 dollars for a day!! I wish I had one of these stores near me!!! I have also heard about people's public libraries doing this too.
what if something gets damaged...while in use, during shipment to or from?
The idea sounds like a really good one. It does.
I just glanced over at my equipment and thought how bugged I'd be if it got damaged...or never returned. I don't know how Netflix works so I don't know if there is a way to be compensated for such mishaps.
In theory it sounds like a great idea, but as was mentioned, what if something get damaged or lost? If you have all current things it would be easy to replace, but would end up costing you in the end.
With my luck though, the old retired cake pans or another product that can't easily be replaced would be what someone lost, damaged or kept.
Plus what happens if you need something for a cake, and it is already loaned out? Do you go out and buy it again or hope it gets returned to you before you need it?
I think before I started loaning things out, I'd go through everything and pull out what I haven't used in a year and probably will never use again and e-bay it. Atleast then you would only have to send it somewhere and not worry about getting it back. And you can use that money to buy more cake things. 
I think it's a great idea for local bakers in your area. I would also charge a RENTAL FEE & DEPOSIT, (enough to replace item & little extra for trouble replacing item.) Keep in mind some of your pans can't be replaced. (CHARACTER PANS). Yes you can find older pans on EBAY. But not always so cheap! 
You would also need to research whether it is legal to 'rent' character pans. If the license is protected and only the buyer can use the pan for home use, I suspect it would not be legal to rent out licensed items. Non-licensed items would be ok, but there is risk.
you would have to re-wash everything before storing it.
We have stores around here that rent pans $2 for 3 days. I would love a rental or lending library that would allow you to try something out so you could decide if you would really like to invest it or not- to find out if it will do what you think it will do.
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