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Ask HN: Has a startup ever tried renting out women's shoes?

• dmd149 15y ago
  Its been done with dresses but can't think of one with shoes. http://www.weartodaygonetomorrow.com/default.asp http://www.weartodaygonetomorrow.com/default.asp You could probably test this pretty quickly by setting up a webpage with best selling women's shoes, putting a rent option, and then see if anyone rents it.
• mitchie_luna 15y ago
  This idea is very unique, I haven't heard any business like this except for business like bowling and ice skating where customers should rent shoes before they can play. I agree that the possible problem on this is sanitation. You should think of idea how to resolve this. Maybe you can use the idea of using socks, stockings or removal insole. Goodluck.
• tylerwl 15y ago
  RentMeAHandbag.com seems to be the only site that offer women's shoe rentals. However, instead of a queue system, they offer weekly or monthly rentals. From the page I checked out, they're quite pricey ($279/week or $558/month for Manolo Blahnik pumps). ShoeDazzle.com ($60M in funding) offers more of the type of service you described. However, instead of rentals, members pay $40 a month to receive a new pair of shoes selected by a Hollywood stylist. It's also worth noting that in a 2011 interview, RentTheRunway.com ($30M in funding) said their future plans may include "product lines like shoes" - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703373404576148170681457268.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870337340457614...
  • Zimahl 15y ago
    Handbags can also be rented at bagborroworsteal.com, I think you can buy used ones there too. I find it weird that I know about rentable handbags. Handbags are one thing, women tend to take pretty good care of them. Shoes are a tougher sell. Sizing is all over the place. Wear and tear can be inconsistent. Knock-offs are close enough in quality that most women don't care. The profit margins might be too low to be worth your time. Then there's the 'icky' factor. People don't mind wearing bowling shoes because they wear socks with them. Women don't wear socks in high-fashion shoes and might be quite apprehensive using rentals even if they are disinfected.
• dangrossman 15y ago
  onenightstandshoes.com did it a few years ago, but they are no longer in business. I don't know the details except that it was a high heel shoe rental service.
• PhrosTT 15y ago
  netflix for ties!
• Drbble 15y ago
  Bag Borrow and Steal
• rdouble 15y ago
  it's hard for shoes because you would have to stock a big range of sizes. Also, the price point for shoes is much lower than dresses and bags. It doesn't make sense for a consumer to rent a $400 pair of shoes for $100. It makes more sense to rent a $10,000 dress or $8000 handbag for $100. (although, in the world of $10,000 dresses "making sense" doesn't really apply) Finally, I worked in fashion e-commerce and there isn't much evidence that anyone in the space is making any money.
• rdouble 15y ago
  it's hard for shoes because you would have to stock a big range of sizes. Also, the price point for shoes is much lower than dresses and bags. It doesn't make sense for a consumer to rent a $400 pair of shoes for $100. It makes more sense to rent a $10,000 dress or $8000 handbag for $100. (although, in the world of $10,000 dresses "making sense" doesn't really apply) Finally, I worked in fashion e-commerce and there isn't much evidence that anyone in the space is making any money.
• someone2 15y ago
  rdouble - I would love to hear more about your experience. It might be helpful for me. Can you please email me "k n a n d y a l" at Yahoo. Thanks
• nurik 15y ago
  If it all I would rent out expensive jewerly...of course protected with sufficient insurance etc..