Based upon what I can see, it seems the the rental program does not work. Why don't we appoint one person with manageing the program, we all send in 20 bucks, and start buying tools and then we will have the tools we need when we need them with one contact person. If the appointed person tires after a year, then we find someone else and the inventory is moved to that person's location . . just a thought. I still need a glow plug reamer (pencil type) . . . .

Based upon what I can see, it seems the the rental program does not work.

........and you draw this conclusion..........on what facts?

there seem to be little to no responses to the tool requests, perhaps if we had a centralised location with one person accountable to the program and we purchased tools as a group, requests could be fulfilled. We could also create a list of priority tools first that could be purchased. My glowplug reamer request has been up for two weeks, many views, no responses and this is just for a glow plug reamer . . . my conclusion Brian . .your thoughts . . . ?

there seem to be little to no responses to the tool requests, perhaps if we had a centralised location with one person accountable to the program and we purchased tools as a group, requests could be fulfilled. We could also create a list of priority tools first that could be purchased. My glowplug reamer request has been up for two weeks, many views, no responses and this is just for a glow plug reamer . . . my conclusion Brian . .your thoughts . . . ?

In this sense, you are correct.

The forum was never developed to provide a venue for tool requests. It has morphed into this situation over time, however, it's largely unsuccessful. This forum is hardly ever viewed by members unless they are seeking to rent a tool in the program. The chances of a member having a specific tool that is not in the program and then having this member perusing the forum at the exact moment that you wish to rent such a tool are practically nil.

If the member has a tool for rent, he's encouraged to put it in the program for all to see. The list is the first post of the first thread in the forum. I manage the list and add or remove tools accordingly.

Your suggestion has merit. However, you would have a certain select group of people who contributed $20. to the pool. Do these members then have free use of all the purchased tools? Do the tools get rented to those who have not contributed? Managing a large group of tools is a full time job. Who pays for such management? Just shipping one tool around the country and keeping track of who has the tool and when they will finish with the tool and arranging to ship to the next member, and returning the deposit is fairly substantial (my spring compressor). Personally, I could never do it with five different tools.

Your suggestion is to do it with 50 different tools. This would require a paid individual. It's not possible to accomplish properly as a part time endeavor.

I was thinking that a retiree type could manage it, people who contribute the 20.00 bucks pay only shipping, others who do not pay a rental fee and shipping. There should be a quick turnaround too so that the tools go out one week and are returned the next, first come, first served . . I would do it if I had more time. Thanks Brian -James

I think also that a centralized and controlled system would be the best. I too am now looking for the simple glo plug reamer. I find one listed as available by "83 mercedes". I check the listing and I can not find "83 Mercedes". So I also would be happy to go the $20.00 route and get the primary tools we need. I would also offer that I have the time and ability and basic computer knowledge to get it done if it is ever seen fit to do it that way. It would certainly have to be maintained on a full time basis and we are here on a full time basis. I am rather short on space, but since I am not doing much with WVO, some cleanup and reorganization should make the necessary space available. Post Office is 2 miles away and UPS comes past the door everyday. I would add that I would take the job, because I like the Forumn and it's members., I think it would be a great boost to our DIY efforts. Well, that is a start anyway. Add on to it.

So I also would be happy to go the $20.00 route and get the primary tools we need. I would also offer that I have the time and ability and basic computer knowledge to get it done if it is ever seen fit to do it that way. It would certainly have to be maintained on a full time basis and we are here on a full time basis. I am rather short on space, but since I am not doing much with WVO, some cleanup and reorganization should make the necessary space available.

While your intent is laudatory, are you prepared to manage the arrivals and departures of up to 50 different tools and are prepared to keep track of who has the tool, the deposit amount for said tool, and handle the future reservations for the tool?

I'm not sure you're aware of the committment that you're offering.

I'm positive that you'll need a small fee for your efforts. Or, you'll quickly tire of the BS that is involved and the program will fail.........with all the tools sitting at your place.........:(

BTW, it took me all of 15 seconds to find "83Mercedes"

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/member.php?u=22524

Maybe we could talk Phil into a rental program.

Maybe we could talk Phil into a rental program.

I'm sure we could.........but, you'd probably not be liking the charges associated with the rentals.

Most of these tools get rented very infrequently.............some exceptions being the timing chain crimper (now deceased) and the spring compressor.

I think it would be great if something like that would work, but I doubt it would. It would be nice if someone could just buy tools and rent them, for a profit eventually. If I had the money to do it, I'd buy some of the more needed tools. I'd require a deposit, shipping both ways, and probably a 20% rental fee of the value of the tool, until I pay them back, when I'd probably drop it to 10%. It'd be a great service, I'll chew on it.

Maybe we could talk Phil into a rental program.
Phil runs at 200% capacity keeping up with FastLane. :eek:

This suggestion was rejected due to work load, before the tool rental program started. :(