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

5 points by padobson ↗ HN
I was thinking about statistics concerning women's shoes. Most women only wear a pair of shoes a few times. It seems like there would be value in setting up a Netflix like system where women could pick out shoes they want to wear and put them in a queue, the shoes are delivered, and then returned after use. Obviously there would be w number of hurdles to this, the biggest that I can see being sanitation. I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried.

11 comments

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dmd149
Its been done with dresses but can't think of one with shoes.

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
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
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/SB1000142405274870337340457614...

Zimahl
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
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.
Drbble
Bag Borrow and Steal
rdouble
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
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
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
If it all I would rent out expensive jewerly...of course protected with sufficient insurance etc..