LLC Authoriced/BookofSeg Apprroved Rental Center!

[hubbahbubbah]

The right thing to do would be for Segway or us to be pro-active about renting... Let's not berate the capitalistic forces behind Seg rentals -- let's use them to our advantage instead!

Segway LLC should set up Segway-approved rental centers or/and issue huge "Safety checked, Segway LLC approved" placards to places that do it right. Approval stamps work.

They should have a list of "recommended" Seg centers, as well as a list of "NOT recommended" centers on their website.

If Segway doesn't do this, then let's make a "Book of Seg" or "SegwayChat" seal of approval for places that follow safety and other guidelines we set out.

People that are interested in Segways look around first. If they were to get strong recommendations on where to go, they would follow them.

Quickly, the business of un-safe renters would suffer and it would be in their financial interest to do renting the right way. To be sure, they would follow the money.


Hubbah

::: http://stinkyshorts.blogspot.com :::

[pt]

hubbah, anyone can work with segway now, a couple are.

the issue is, most rental places have no interest in paying money or wasting time to be part of segway in any way.

segway will start to get in some major mucky waters if they openly endorse rentals.

the rental palces need to make as much money as they can in the shortest period of time.

sorry-- but if you don't own a segway, you've never rented one, you haven't worked with a major city / park department about the issues it's really unfair to suggest some things i think, especially when some facts are -screaming-.

here's the real rub.

the -less- rental places rent "the right way" the more money they'll make.

what do you think people are going to do?

jack in canada is renting 16 hts, not showing a video, not training folks properly in a country where segways are -not- even allowed yet.

yikes!!

watch and see what's going to happen folks, i am offically the dead canary in the mineshaft.

cheers,
pt



======================

segway ht journal:
http://www.bookofseg.com

other stuff:
http://www.flashenabled.com

[hubbahbubbah]

quote:Originally posted by pt

here's the real rub.

the -less- rental places rent "the right way" the more money they'll make.


You're right, there's not we can do. We're all screwed then. Oh well.

Hubbah

::: http://stinkyshorts.blogspot.com :::

[ftropea]

Actually, I think I can clarify the point..

If a rental biz wants to maximize their revenue, wouldn't they *shorten* the training time and squeeze in as many "rental" periods as they could in a day?

Unless they charge for the training...

Hmm, OK.. maybe they should charge for a 1 1/2 hour training (arbitrary here - I don't know if this is enough time).. Say they charge $100 for that.

Then, after you've completed their training (hey, there is some "fun" value in that - at least you're on a Seg for some of that time) then you can "Rent" a seg for whatver the rental rate is.. say $20 for 1/2 hr.. whatever.

After you've trained with a company, they give 'ya a card.. so the next time you rent, you don't have to train again obviously.

But if a rental company is like - "No way.. I can't do training classes like that.." - because they don't have enough staff.. patience.. or time.. then they might go with the "15 min" job which has already proven to be troublesome for the Seg's cause.

Regards,

Frank A. Tropea

[/sc] Admin - "Keep your wheels on the ground!" - Contact Me (segwaychat@segwaychat.com)

[hubbahbubbah]

Frank, we don't have to figure out how the rental business will work. We just have to figure out how to incentivize safe renting. Let's work with the good guys, instead of issuing blanket rental warnings.

Hubbah

::: http://stinkyshorts.blogspot.com :::

[pt]

hubbah-

we are working with the good guys, don't you think the bad guys pose the greatest threat to owners, renters and pedestrians? i do.

cheers,
pt



======================

segway ht journal:
http://www.bookofseg.com

other stuff:
http://www.flashenabled.com

[scepter77]

To comment on pt's 1st comment:
"hubbah, anyone can work with segway now, a couple are."

Sorry, but it is not true. If you call up as a business and want to buy segs to rent, their response is that they do not have a program set up to accomodate rentals businesses and cannot sell them to you as a business. They want you to email their business department and you will be notified when they come up with a program and can sell you the segways.

I have not been emailed in the past three weeks. I think that hubba is right that they need to hurry up and get a program together, that there would be enough incentives to get businesses to buy into it. Insurance carriers may charge less if you are certified (following safety protocols, etc) and you may get discounts on quantity purchases, segway developed legal documents (waivers, etc) sources for liability insurance and so on. Also help on how to prevent the city from banning segs because of you rentals.

Not everyone is after the fastest buck at all costs.

I believe more and more the Wired article talked about on NPR speaking specifically to how the company is not prepared as a producer and seller. It is evident in my conversations with them that they are running around putting out fires and don't have the time or resources to thoughtfully plan some fundamental things. I think they will eventually catch up but obviously some people are not wanting to wait for them.

pt, I really enjoy your site and journal! Keep it up!

Thanks

[pt]

scepter77-

here's what i do know. there are over 5 dealers (more to be announced soon) and at least 3 rental orgs working directly with segway (also, more to be annoucned soon).

cheers,
pt



======================

segway ht journal:
http://www.bookofseg.com

other stuff:
http://www.flashenabled.com