#5 and #6 are very good ideas. On #5: Don't just aim for students. Anyone renting an unfurnished apartment who doesn't want to fill it with stuff (e.g. because

#5 and #6 are very good ideas. On #5: Don't just aim for students. Anyone renting an unfurnished apartment who doesn't want to fill it with stuff (e.g. because they're just there for the summer) should be able to use the service. The domain Unfurnished.com would be ideal (might be pricey, though). Here's how I'd implement it: Sell the items, but offer a partial refund on return. (Less risky than rental, for both parties—obviously for the seller, but also for the buyer if they wind up needing the stuff for longer than expected.) Specialize in light-weight, durable items that can be shipped economically: air mattresses, plastic tableware, folding furniture. Include a pre-printed shipping label in the box. The pitch: "Zappos for apartment stuff." (Just checked, and ApartmentStuff.com is being parked on.) Ideally, the stuff should be custom-branded.