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In a time of collaborative consumption, people aren’t just making extra money renting their cars and extra rooms. Almost anything of value can be shared, and that includes alternative modes of transportation and recreation like bicycles and surfboards.
Spinlister started out as a peer-to-peer bike rental program in 2012. Today Listers can also rent out skis, surfboards, snowboards, stand-up paddleboards and more.
How Does Spinlister Work?
Decide what you are willing to rent, take a photo and decide on your rate. You can charge by the hour, day or week. All payments are handled safely through the Spinlister system. They take 17.5% commission on each rental (listing is free).
Bicycles are insured up to $10,000. Renters have to sign a release of liability so you don’t have to worry about someone getting hurt while using your equipment.
The company has Listers in over 100 countries. Some make only a few extra bucks a month. Some earn a few hundred. Today we are chatting with Jessica Andrews, a Spinlister in San Francisco.
Tell us a little about yourself. What was your motivation to join Spinlister?
I started cycling in college and quickly realized how social and beneficial of a sport it is, and one that can be done at any age and any fitness level. I mostly road bike but dabble in the MTB world, as the Bay Area has some of the best trails for both types. I live and work in SF and love being able to commute to work on my bike. Spinlister fits well with my lifestyle as I have enjoyed similar services such as Getaround and Airbnb and enjoy being part of the sharing community.
What’s the process like getting listed on the site? What are the requirements?
Listing a bike is easy. The profile setup takes about a minute with adding your info and verifying a phone number, Facebook or Twitter account which encourages trust for both the lister and renter. Listing the bike is just as easy but takes a few minutes as you need to take photos, put in a description, and price. After the listing is reviewed by Spinlister, it goes live and can be rented on the spot.
What’s the normal exchange like?
There are two parts to the exchange, the online requesting/detail planning and the in-person swap. The request period is where I find out if my renter will be bringing any of their own gear, pedals, seat, helmet, etc. and also when and where is convenient for us both to meet. The swap portion is great because I can put a face the name and offer suggestions on routes, plus I can add any personal preferences such as please lock the bike securely, this is SF after all.
How much can you expect to make on Spinlister? How are you paid?
I have 4 bikes listed, everything from a basic get-around-the-city bike to a mid/high-end road bike, which generates around $150/month. January was a big month for me with total earrings of $400, but March was much slower. Every two weeks I receive a check from Spinlister based on how many rentals I had during that pay period.
Any tips to those new to Spinlister?
As a lister, check out other listings in your area and see what price point makes sense when listing your bike and make sure you are comfortable with what you choose to rent it at. As a renter, it is a great way to meet locals who can give you advice on bike routes or beaches for that matter if you rent a SUP or surfboard.
Visit Spinlister to learn more.
