Evening Herald

Why splash out on luxury shoes when you can rent pair for a day?

Designer Christian Louboutin's shoes will be on offer to rent from the new site

Brace yourselves fashionistas, a new Irish website is offering a Sex And The City-style rental service enabling users to lease a genuine pair of fresh-from-the-catwalk Christian Louboutin booties for just €30.

Dubbed the eBay of online rentals, the newly launched website Rentstuff.ie is not just for bargain-hunting ladies, there are plenty of big boys toys for rent too, including Harley Davidsons and soft-top convertibles at a fraction of the buying price.

The website already boasts more than 1,000 budget-saving items, including DIY power tools, wedding dresses, musical instruments, Nintendos, even bouncy castles.

But the coveted pair of iconic red-soled Louboutins, which are available to rent for just €30 a day from a Clonsilla-based owner, are the item creating the most buzz -- the trendy heels retail for around €400.

Designer

While the designer boots, though only available in a tiny size three, could be ready to wear this weekend as the site guarantees delivery in less than 72 hours.

According to Declan Kilroy, co-owner of Rentstuff.ie, users can expect more and more new products, including designer frocks and totes to be available every day.

He told the Herald: "We only started the site in the last three to four weeks but so far the reaction has been absolutely fantastic.

"There are hundreds of categories and sub-categories -- we have designer cocktail dresses, which are amazing quality, designer luggage, handbags and a few super cars -- we want to be known as the website where you can rent anything.

"It makes sense to rent, especially an expensive item you might only use once or twice a year.

"Why spend hundreds of euro on a drill that could cost you €10 to rent for the day. Anyone can create an account for free and post their product immediately up on the site."

Money

"The other side of the coin is that in these recessionary times people can rent out things they have lying around the house as a means of making them some extra money," Mr Kilroy added.

"Generally items will be delivered quite soon and because we have a lot of rental companies on board, some items can even be delivered on the same day.

"We put a time limit of 72 hours but most people will receive their items a lot sooner.

"We're very excited about this. It is unique -- there is no other one-stop rental site operating in Ireland.

"Renters can try out products without having to invest in them long term and you won't have to fill your house with unwanted and unused clutter, never mind the fact that it will only cost you a fraction of the price," he added.

hnews@herald.ie

29/04/2010

Source: Evening Herald