FAQ
What is MakerSwap
MakerSwap is a peer to peer tool hire site that allows anyone to list tools they want to rent to other people and allows anyone to look for tools in their area.
This allows people to gain access to tools they might otherwise not be able to store - or afford, and is hugely environmentally beneficial as it removes the production of a tool that may have been bought otherwise. In return the owner gets some money for the hire!
How does sign up work?
You can find detailed descriptions of the MakerSwap account creation as well the Stripe account creation which is needed to list tools by going to this page for account creation Once you have read the account creation there is a button at the bottom of the account creation page that will take you to the walk through of the Stripe account creation, You can also jump directly there by using this link
OK How does the rental process work?
Its simple. You look for the tool you are after locally, when you find the tool you need you enter the dates you wish to book it for and request it from the owner.
The owner receives a notification and they can accept the hire at this point. Then you both message via the site to agree what time you will collect and the exact location to collect from.
When it comes time to collect your hire make sure you both take pictures showing the current state of the item. You will do the same on return in order for you both to be covered in the case of any disputes.
As long as you follow the guidance in the Tool Owners Rental Guidance page your covered! Up to the value of £500.
I see you already have the tool I wanted to list?
Wanted to list a tool and you see we already have it? Thats fine - its good even. We want tools listed everywhere so they are easy for people to access. We want to be able to provide useful items for people all over without them needing to travel long distances to get them. Equally even if there is another listing in your area there could be multiple people wanting the same or similar items at the same time - so don't let that stop you!
What if my tool comes back damaged?
Obviously, as part of the conditions, the rentee’s agree to compensate the tool owner for any damage or loss that may occur while the tool is in their possession but what happens if you cant reach an agreement? or they cant pay?
This is why MakerSwap offers compensation if the issue cant be resolved with the rentee for any reason.
MakerSwap will cover damage or replacement up to the value of £500 as long as the tool owner followed the Tool Owners Rental Guidance and can provide good quality before and after pictures of the item clearly showing the damage.
All the tool owner needs to do then is email makerswap@makerswap.co the details of the rental, the before pictures with the time stamp and the after pictures with the time stamp. We will then get an assessment of the damage and work with you to provide the necessary compensation.
Easy!
What if I need to cancel and get a refund?
As we are a marketplace you will need to agree the cancellation with the person you are hiring the tool from - Most people are reasonable so I'm sure it wont be an issue.
If the hire hasn't been accepted yet then the tool owner can just decline and all will revert but if the hire has been accepted and the tool owner agrees to the cancellation they will need to email makerswap@makerswap.co to ask for the refund to be processed. The refund at this point will also be missing some of the fees as we cannot refund these once they are taken.
How do you do all this?
We charge a small commission (10%) to the renters, which is deducted from the rental price of the tool. So, if you rent a drill for £10, the tool owner gets £9 and MakerSwap gets £1.
This allows us to provide the service, pay for the electrons and save the planet from excess consumption!