BookRenter.com is yet another example of a web start-up leaping into a nightmarish logistics problem to make life easier for its customers. The US venture has amassed a multi-million-volume library of new or near-new textbooks, which it rents out to students at college campuses throughout the country. Rental periods range from one to four months, and the savings for students can reach 75 percent of a book’s retail price. Adopting the increasingly popular ‘Netflix model’, BookRenter offers students convenient delivery options and lets them return books by UPS at no charge. Rental terms can be extended as needed, and students can also decide to buy a book if they’d like to keep it.
Of course, BookRenter must compete with established campus retailers, as well as new ventures that are offering free textbooks sponsored by advertisers (see trendwatching.com’s free love briefing for more on that). Even so, BookRenter appeals to consumers who are happy to rent instead of own, choosing flexibility and savings over ownership. As the company grows, it could also easily add downloadable or online texts to its offerings, and could incorporate web 2.0 features to keep students engaged throughout the academic year. Students might be encouraged to upload their notes about particular titles, for instance, and include comments about their classes. We’ve featured new-style rental services for everything from baby clothes to sports cars. Opportunity? Spot the industry or product that other entrepreneurs have overlooked!
Website: www.bookrenter.com
Contact: www.bookrenter.com/contact_us
Spotted by: Francine Kizner
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There are lots of exciting models, trying to pry the money out of college bookstores.
Another great example is wwww.swaptree.com
It is my personal experience that university libraries rarely have enough copies of the most popular core textbooks. I, for one, invested in my own copy of every core textbook, as leaves me with a good library of general business books.
I am in college now and I like this idea. No college student uses library reserves. Almost everyone purchases a used/new book from ebay/campus stores. A rental system, with fair prices, is a great idea.
This is an awesome idea. Our university libraray never has enough books and if you can get hold of one you only get it for 1-2 weeks. This means I will have spent over £300 on buying textbooks in my time at uni. Bring this idea to the UK.
There's even better site doing this. It is whyrentbooks.com. They also allow you to rent-out your old books to other students and you make money over and over rather than giving it back to the bookstore. They also have paperback books, audiobooks, dvd's and music, you should check it out guy:)
This idea is so lovely,i would like to start a library for book rentals for all genres ranging from motivational ,spiritual,educational and even entertainment, let's admit it, some of this books we just don't get in the library.
The idea is awesome!!!!
Don't university students simply use the library? For free?
Maybe I'm missing something.
Lee | March 6, 2008 5:12 PM