Exploring The Rent-A-Bay Concept. Details Inside.

Insomnya3AM

Insomnya3AM

Club Member
A few of you remember I brought up the concept of a large space with offices, industrial bays and automotive service equipment. That was early 2010.

We've had our 22,000 sq/ft space up and running profitably since April 2010, renting space to people looking to start a business. No automotive service equipment - yet.

I'm considering installing a lift to rent by the hour or day and I'm curious what the community thinks.

Would you see yourself in the foreseeable future renting the use of a lift to do your own projects? What's a fair price?

MODS: If you please, direct me to where I might buy sponsorship again.

Cheers.
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Insurance for this will be through the roof... People have tried this before and have failed...
 
We're already paying liability for a common shop - the logistics of it isn't a question as we've been in business for over a year.

I'm asking if this particular tool will be of use to anyone here -- or, more importantly, if they see value in paying for it.
 
Insomnya3AM said:
We're already paying liability for a common shop - the logistics of it isn't a question as we've been in business for over a year.

I'm asking if this particular tool will be of use to anyone here -- or, more importantly, if they see value in paying for it.
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Problem is once you factor in lifts and machines with tools... That isn't yours or your employees that's covered by your insurance... Your common shop status goes out the window...
 
ReiKo said:
Problem is once you factor in lifts and machines with tools... That isn't yours or your employees that's covered by your insurance... Your common shop status goes out the window...
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Noted. By owning a racing series and running this common shop, we are no strangers to liability.

With that aside, would anyone be particularly interested from here?
 
i know that having access to a lift would have worked great for me with 2 blown out shoulders and changing a trans in a grand marquis on the ground
 
I'm not sure how often we'd use it, but I love the idea of having the option available. I'm sure we'll be changing transmissions and converters often in my race car, and it would work out well for us....especially since a lot of tools travel with the car in the trailer anyhow.
 
Taner had a shop that did this and it didnt work out. Perhaps youd have more business here than he did in Canada
 
cjmatt said:
Taner had a shop that did this and it didnt work out. Perhaps youd have more business here than he did in Canada
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Crossing the bridge isn't easy - it could definitely make all the difference. There's plenty more people working on their own cars now with the rough economy.
 
there was a large one at wayne and warren problem is if the car is broke cant get it there , and the insurance killed them
 
SANG did this for employees and relatives (friends/family) back in the day. It worked out great, always busy and was cheap. They offered tools to use too for free. You just had to sign them out and leave a DL. The bay and lift cost (IIRC been a few years) 20.00 for 4 hours I think and they encouraged donations. Clean up was mandatory by those that used what ever equipments/tools or were around that area.

I think it could work well depending location, hours, and cost/availability.
 
Really hate to piss in your Post Toasties here, but I'll play devils's advocate.
I love the concept, but see some real potential issues:
1. No way to screen the "know-how" people from the "No. How?" people.
2. Someone gets in over their head on a "simple brake job" and winds up with a bad spindle. Can't find one anywhere. What now? Can't put it on 3 wheels. Can't leave it on there. Still charging $20 per hour? For how long?
3. Does your attendant / employee set the hoist under the car, or does the customer? Either way presents a different liability scenario.

I could do this all night...

As I stated above, I LOVE THE CONCEPT, but have a real hard time with the business case.
 
OldbutNew said:
Really hate to piss in your Post Toasties here, but I'll play devils's advocate.
I love the concept, but see some real potential issues:
1. No way to screen the "know-how" people from the "No. How?" people.
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It's much easier than you might think. We screen people all day regarding allowing them access to our facility as new tenants. I hire people continuously through brief interviews. We'll know those with experience and those without.

OldbutNew said:
2. Someone gets in over their head on a "simple brake job" and winds up with a bad spindle. Can't find one anywhere. What now? Can't put it on 3 wheels. Can't leave it on there. Still charging $20 per hour? For how long?
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That's with any rental. Not done with your move in a U-Haul and you need another day? You bet your ass you're getting charged another day. On the lift, on the clock.

OldbutNew said:
3. Does your attendant / employee set the hoist under the car, or does the customer? Either way presents a different liability scenario.
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The customer will set the hoist. It's just like any other tool in the shop; they can all kill you just as readily.

OldbutNew said:
I could do this all night...

As I stated above, I LOVE THE CONCEPT, but have a real hard time with the business case.
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Rock on all night in your own thread, but this isn't the time or place. I'm asking if there would be interest within the community; I did not ask for a breakdown of the logistics of operating such a space. As I stated before, we have been running a common shop with heavy equipment for over a year now and we have our liability managed. All of our tools will readily kill you - just as a lift would. We've had lengthy talks with our insurer and we're ready to move ahead with such a facility if the demand allows.

This thread is to gauge local interest and see if such a facility would be patronized here in the Detroit Metro area.
 
There is a 'rent-a-bay' on Gratiot South of 696, West side.


I dont know if they have tools / lifts, but I have often thought that this was a good concept.


The issue I always wondered about, is how do you ensure someone is going to pay? Do you charge up front XXX$ for Y period of time, then if they finish early, you refund the overage? What if they get in there, and get in over their head, and a car sits on a lift for 2 months w/ no drivetrain? Do they sign a contract that gives you the ability to put a mechanics lein on the vehicle? What about hours of operation? My prime wrenching hours are 8am Sat - 9pm Sun, but would only really have the ability to wrench in the evenings on weekdays. What about tool rental, do you charge per hour per set?

Lots to think about, but I would definitely like the ability to use a service like that, its better than wrenching on a car sitting on jack stands.
 
I like the idea as well, but agree feasibility is low, but if you can pull it off, cool! The price would need to be reasonable.
 
You guys crack me up, why does everyone keep questioning the feasibility when the guy has already been in business for a year :lol:

He's just asking if you want to use a lift!

Yes, I would be interested in using a lift.
 
No kidding. He's stated 3 times now at least that he's just looking for feedback on if this community would find use in it if he offered the service. Any posts outside of that will be deleted from here on out as he's indicated several times to stay on topic. If you want to start a discussion on the costs of owning a busines, start your own thread.

Please contact 91Trunk (Matt Stanford) for sponsorship information.
 
stalked_R/T said:
No kidding. He's stated 3 times now at least that he's just looking for feedback on if this community would find use in it if he offered the service. Any posts outside of that will be deleted from here on out as he's indicated several times to stay on topic. If you want to start a discussion on the costs of owning a busines, start your own thread.

Please contact 91Trunk (Matt Stanford) for sponsorship information.
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I dont care how you insure it, I would pay no more than $20/hour to use a lift. Do that and ill prob use it occasionally. Would you rent short term non-lift space as well? Because alot of times I only need the lift for an hour, then I can work on it on the ground for another hour and be done
 
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