Apr 25, 2009 12:36 pm US/Eastern
More And More Goods Now Available For Rent
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
You've probably rented cars, apartments, and even movies before, but what about a wedding cake, a purse, a pooch, or a best-selling book?
"We've gotten to a point where you can rent almost anything," said retail expert Marshal Cohen.
Call it the rise of the rental industry. Born out of the faltering economy, retail analysts said consumers who can no longer afford to buy are renting goods from dozens of websites for a week, a weekend, even longer.
On this website, you can find designer dresses that retail for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, up to 90% off.
You can rent a $2300 classic Chanel bag for only $80.
"In many cases it's someone who's been entrepreneurial creates a collection, puts that collection out for rent and it's just been growing for them ever since," Cohen said.
And it's not just luxury items. Basic, everyday goods are available to rent too.
"Books we rent are mostly popular fiction and popular non-fiction, all the newest best-selling hot releases as well as all the classics," said Eric Ginsberg, spokesman for BookSwim.com.
You can borrow books from the library for free, but at most book rental sites there are no due dates, no late fees, and free shipping to your door.
"You can rent your textbooks online for up to 75 percent off and that can be the difference between affording to go to school full-time or part time.
Tired of shelling out money for toys your kids outgrow? Rent them like mother Connor Herman does.
"We've got choo-choo trains, we've got puzzles and books" she said.
And it doesn't have to end there. For all you June brides, you can rent everything from your dress to the wedding cake.
You can even rent a dog. "Flexpetz is a flexible dog ownership program for people who love dogs but are unable to own dogs full time," said spokeswoman Marlena Cervantes.
"Another benefit to renting instead of buying: it's much more environmentally friendly because the goods get recycled.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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