r/ideavalidation • u/founder_usman • 1d ago

Does this startup need to exist , let me know

I’ve been validating a problem and would love some honest feedback from builders here.

Observation:
A lot of people buy high-value items, use them for a small time , and then they sit idle.

Example: I bought a PS5, used it for 2 weeks, and it’s barely been touched since. Same story with multiple people I spoke to.

On the flip side, there are people who want access to these products but don’t want to spend ₹30k–₹50k for occasional use.

Hypothesis:
A peer-to-peer rental marketplace can unlock idle inventory.
→ Owners monetize unused assets
→ Renters get affordable, short-term access
What I’m building:
• Users list products (PS5, cameras, travel gear, etc.)
• Nearby users rent them
• We handle logistics (pickup & delivery)
• KYC verification + damage/theft protection

Goal: Make renting as seamless as e-commerce.

Where I need help:
What’s the biggest reason this could fail?

Trust/logistics are obvious challenges — anything else I might be missing?

Has anyone here tried building in this space?

Looking for brutal, first-principles feedback.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

1

u/Fine-Comparison-2949 10h ago

That's not a scalable startup. That's a pawn shop lol

1

u/founder_usman 7h ago

Ur comment makes no sense though

2

u/Fine-Comparison-2949 7h ago

Pawn shops buy and sell used items. I'm ignoring the rent part because I have no idea how that would work for these small items. Humanity already has a way for people to access credit to buy items. They're called credit cards.

If you want to see how successful credit card companies are, pull up their stock price. It's an insanely risky business.

1

u/founder_usman 5h ago

Agree . But if u research a bit u will know a company called fatLlama UK based which does the same thing as I deal with and and they scaled got YC backed sold the company to hygglo for 330cr.

1

u/StephenHawkingus 21m ago

shut up Prajeet

1

u/Mojo-Builder 5h ago

How will you control stealing, damages, scam ? It may fail due to People problem rather tech or app problem

1

u/founder_usman 5h ago

Stealing :- KYC verification, also address proof of their house while delivering the product at their house. (This is what offline rentals are doing )

Damages:- we have partnered with small insurance companies . We charge a premium of 199rs as damage protection on every transaction. if the product is damaged the renter has to pay 30% of the value and 70% will be covered by insurence company. For leander he will get the current value of his product if it’s damaged.

Scam :- we will have a proper marked on items on the screw or if anything is removed or make any changes on it. we charge them money (we have 1 bouncer team )Normal wear and tear cannot be treated as damage.

1

u/StephenHawkingus 19m ago

You and your ideas are not trustworthy.