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

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3542877

by padobson • 14 years ago

5 11 14 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

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.

dmd149• 14 years ago

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• 14 years 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• 14 years 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/SB1000142405274870337340457614...

Zimahl• 14 years 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• 14 years 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• 14 years ago

netflix for ties!

Drbble• 14 years ago

Bag Borrow and Steal

rdouble2• 14 years 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.

rdouble2• 14 years ago

Finally, I worked in fashion e-commerce and there isn't much evidence that anyone in the space is making any money.

someone2• 14 years 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• 14 years ago

If it all I would rent out expensive jewerly...of course protected with sufficient insurance etc..

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

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