If I were ADMIN things would be different around here for sure.
Along with my knife business I decided to start renting out some of my party tents. I started with one 10 X 20 and told myself I needed to do something with it instead of stepping over it every weekend when I pulled the lawnmower out of the shed. So I posted a listing on Craigslist and BAM! I'm booked solid halfway through September, and I even pulled my listing off CL because I didn't have enough tents to go around! This business is a hidden goldmine.
I now have: One 20 X 20 low pitch tent, two 10 X 20 low pitch tents, two high pitch tents with windowed sides and a 10 X 10 pop up.
I get $80 a pop for the big tent and that's 1/3 of what party stores charge. It's no wonder I'm booked solid. I have 10 more reservations this month alone!
Well there's more to it than just setting it up and getting paid. You HAVE to have them sign a liability agreement voiding you of any responsibility should a heavy wind come and blow the tent over causing property damage or killing their cat Snickers. You also have to educate them on what most of us deem common sense.
1. "No sir. You cannot drag your 50,000 BTU BBQ grill under it and fire it up."
2. "Please, keep the tiki torches a minimum of 4 feet away from the tent."
3. "That center support bar can NOT hold anyone's weight so take the rope and tire off it please!"
4. "You break it, you buy it. What imbecile convinced you that playing drunk horseshoes under it was a good idea???"
5."No. I don't have one in cammo. Sorry."
6."The 20 X 20 takes about an hour to set up. You're in a hurry? So am I. I 'd rather be home downing a cold one than listening to your fat wife argue with you about where to put everything as soon as I can finish."
7. "Want it moved after watching me for an hour setting it up? Good one. I'll pray for you fools if I ever get back to going to church. Don't hold your breathe."
8. "Think my price is high? I'll come back after you call Party tent USA. Mind you each time I do my price goes up $10."
9. "No. You can NOT pick the tent up and set it up yourself. Chances are I would never see you or my tent again and it's not rocket science to set up but will baffle some people. I don't care that you have a masters degree in mechanical engineering. I only trust three people with my sh1t. Me, myself and I."
10. "In god we trust, all else pay cash. I won't knock $20 off even if you offer me to come to the party either. I probably won't like any of you. Why would I party with you?"
11. "I understand the day after your party you'll want your yard back. All I ask is to keep your attack dog chained up or inside when I come to take it down. An 18" tent stake makes a good weapon. If I kill your dog you can't sue me. It's in the agreement you signed remember? Bury him in the back yard next to Snickers and have a memorial party. Need a tent for that?"
"If I kill your dog you can't sue me. It's in the agreement you signed remember? Bury him in the back yard next to Snickers and have a memorial party. Need a tent for that?"
