Monday, April 30, 2007

How does it work?

neighBORROW.com harnesses the power of the Internet, utilizes existing inventory and infrastructure, and adds a few proprietary (and some traditional) accountability metrics, to provide users with unprecedented access to the enormous "collective contents" of their entire building, apartment complex, community or neighborhood. The site also provides for smarter, more efficient collaberation for new purchases.

For most items, if you get it locally- there are no shipping costs and no usage fees. Just join and list what you own and may be willing to lend, donate, or trade (or just show off or organize your collection). Then browse through or search for items available in your neighBORROW-hood and request an item from the database when you find something you need or want.

In public neighBORROW-hoods, if you have a doorperson or concierge, it is not necessary to deal directly with the counter party (unless both parties choose to). Your personal information will not be public, nor will any public link exist between you and the items you list (again, unless you want it to). Members will have the option to refuse requests; however, there will be minimum listing and lending requirements to continue borrowing in PUBLIC neighBORROW-hoods. Members will only be penalized if they do not follow through with a committed transaction. Members will be rewarded for frequent participation and for lending high-demand items.

To summarize, you will have access to more stuff, it will cost you absolutely nothing, it will be perfectly convenient, and your privacy will not be compromised.

FREE, FUN, SAFE, CONVENIENT, FLEXIBLE, GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT... what could be better

We have it all figured out. Basic membership is FREE. Borrowing basic items within neighBORROW-hoods is FREE. And due to the nature of neighborhood sharing, even shipping costs have been eliminated. It is possible, finally, to use some of the things you want, without paying with a single penny. You will not pay in other ways either. You will not sacrifice your privacy. People will not be running around your neighborhood or building ringing your doorbell and knocking on your door. We have built a system that allows for anonymous borrowing and lending. You will not sacrifice convenience. In many cases in fact, it will be more convenient than driving to the local video store or belonging to an online rental club. You are not giving up actual ownership, you can have the item back whenever you want, you don't necessarily have to find someone who wants something of yours to borrow something of theirs. We have made it as easy as possible to list items and keep them safe and protected.

Plus, it's FUN to list items and meet other people on the site and in your community. And neighBORROW-ing is GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!