Free bike rentals with condo rental a good idea?

[beachgirl66]

My husband and I were discussing buying cheap bikes and letting the renter and their families use them for free when they rent the condo. He thinks it's a good idea, but I think that there is too much liability involved if someone were to get hurt or injured. What do you guys think? Do any of you provide bikes for your renters with your vacation rentals?

 

[BeachbumAggie]

I have heard of renters including bikes and as a renter, I see it as a nice perk. When hubby and I stay for 2 weeks, it's pretty pricey to rent bikes. We brought our own one year but the bikes create a lot of drag on the car. We discussed buying bikes and just donating them at the end of our trip since it's about the same cost as a 2 week rental.

 

[CastlesOfSand]

We bring our own bikes but I think it would be a great perk for a renter who either did not own bikes or did not have a way to transport their bikes to Sowal. You can see so much more when riding a bike and finding the hidden, tucked away spots are always funn! I have no idea about the liability though??

 

[beachgirl66]

The liability part was the only drawback for me. Some people are so sue happy these days you have to cover yourself in case something happens. I will probably look into it and see what our insurance company says about it. If it doesn't cost alot of extra money for the coverage, we just may do it.

 

[30ABandMan]

I think it would be better to contact one of the local rental companies and work out some sort of discount for your renters. You won't have the liability, if there is any and no maintinance either. Best of all, your renters will get good quality bikes that are in great condition and adjusted to them.

 

[scooterbug44]

Ask your insurance agent about liability, it might be covered - but providing bikes might just be a hassle you don't want to deal with for other reasons.

"Free" bikes tend to get treated poorly and go missing. :roll:

 

[familyof3]

The Bandman may be onto something. As a renter I would definetly consider bkles or a discount a major plus.

 

[Beach Runner]

I agree with scooterbug. A hassle. If you provide bikes, renters will complain when they need maintenance, and you'll have to make arrangements for that. Also how many bikes will you provide? If your condo sleeps 8, are you going to provide 8 bikes? Does your condo have storage for 8 bikes? And what size (adult/child)? If a rental group doesn't lock them up and one gets stolen, I promise they will call and complain that they rented the condo with the understanding that bikes were provided and will expect you to purchase a replacement to avoid ruining their vacation. If some renters have no qualms about abandoning my nice household items on the beach or damaging them and throwing them in the trash so that housekeeping doesn't notice the damage, they won't have any qualms about abandoning a bike.

I started out like you when we first started renting. I wanted our renters to be treated like our guests with our home furnished with items that I thought they'd enjoy. But these nice items like Wustof knives, expensive pillows, etc., started disappearing. I would replace them, and they'd disappear again. I finally become cynical and replaced them with inexpensive items. Those disappear too. Sad.

30ABandMan has a good idea. Of course, it will take away from your profits unless you add the cost of rental into your rental rate.

I don't mean to bash all renters. We have had mostly good experiences and have gotten very sweet notes from these true guests expressing how much they enjoyed our home. They help us pay the mortgage on a bigger house with more amenities that we could have afforded without renting. Also it's a shame to have a nice house empty when someone could be enjoying it.

Good luck!

 

[beachgirl66]

Thanks for the input guys. Beachrunner and Scooter bug, you have definitely given me alot to think about. My husband was more of the one who wanted to try it, but I guess I am the one who always thinks about what could happen. I will contact the people I bought my bike from and see what we could get worked out with them on a discount. I was worried more about the liability, and wasn't thinking about all of the other issues that could come up. Your comments have helped me alot! Thanks so much!

 

[seagroovys]

I think that it is a good idea. We have vacationed here for 12 years and it is nice to have things like a bar b q pit, or a bike it is kind of a nice perk.