The Library of Stuff

In effect, the Salvation Army, Good Will and other Thrift stores that rely on donations are libraries of stuff.  You check something out, you pay a fee, and then when you are done with it, you return it to the library that you got it from or another branch.   If you deem that something is beyond saving, you forfeit your fee and you save the library from throwing it away for you.  

  I think that if someone where to take this idea to the next logical step and make a business that was actually a library of things other than media, eg. clothing, furniture, tools, appliances, all things donated by the community of potential and actual users, then it would be a rather successful business.  Internet sites already serve to link individuals with stuff that they are getting rid of with those that would like to acquire it.  The problem with those is that there are not necessarily items that you want available when you want them, and that there is the issue of shipping, which is expensive.  Furthermore, if one only desires an item temporarily, then that person has to go through the same hassle of getting rid of it or storing it that the first person did.  If there was just a central location that you could go to to inexpensively get second hand items for a limited time, or that one could dump such items at, it would be a great convenience.  Really the only difference between this model and a regular thrift store is that one would actually be expected to return the item and that the store would actually keep real track of inventory.

Just imagine: a guy needs a suite or a big meeting but forgot to pack it while traveling.  No problem, he just goes to the stuff library!  A student needs a dresser or a desk.  No problem, the stuff library has a glut of desks that outgoing students have dropped off.  Have a couch but don't want to move it to your new home in another state?  That's all right, just drop it off and we'll give you a coupon for a couch where you're going!  So long as people aren't emotionally attached to the items, the stuff library is doing great!