From baby clothes to popcorn makers, borrowing items rather than buying them is a growing trend

The theory is simple: instead of buying a household item or a piece of clothing or some equipment you might use once or twice, you take it out and return it.

  • @[email protected]English
    0•8 months ago

    Counterpoint: You go to the store to buy the saw you think you’ll need, come home, cut the first piece – boom, same realization. Same time-sink to go back to the store. I don’t think that’s a concern unique to tool libs.

    Yes, except that when your buying tools, that only happens once. The next project that happens you have that tool sitting there waiting for you.

    Well, yeah. We’re talking more expensive things that you only need for one project, or maybe a couple of times. Not the screwdriver set that you use for everything from box-cutting to adjusting the screws on your cabinet doors when they seem wonky.

    By basic DIY tools I don’t just mean screw driver, I mean probably something along the lines of: screwdriver set, socket set, hammer, wrench set, drill / driver, circular saw, multitool, jigsaw, tape measures, clamps, level, plus basic painting tools, basic drywalling tools, basic electrical tools.

    • @elephantiumEnglish
      1•8 months ago

      The next project that happens

      If you’re doing multiple projects where you need that same tool, that does tilt the scale towards buying. Rentals are best for one-off things.