Now Do-It-Yourselfers can go to DIYonline.com and access a wide range of free services to help them plan their home-improvement projects - decks, kitchens, sprinkler systems, gazebos - 20 projects so far. Project-design software on the Web site gets them started and then, after they send in their completed plan, they get (via e-mail) custom-designed project drawings, step-by-step how-to instructions, a complete list of materials needed (including a price list) and even a list of where to go locally for help.
That includes local retailers and home centers - and rental companies, if DIYonline.com realizes its hopes to sign them on, says Director of Marketing Tom Settles at the DIYonline.com office in Lexington, Ky., (877) 349-7253, ext. 215.
"There is no other Web site that offers the level of project design and planning services that we provide," says President and CEO Michael Heisler at the corporate office in Tucson, Ariz., (520) 322-0809. "The software enables consumers to specifically tailor a design to meet their needs."
Rentmaker.com, an Internet 24-hour marketplace for business-to-business equipment rentals in the United States and Canada, provides the business-to-business equipment rental industry a central marketplace where both rental houses and their customers can save time and money as they send, receive and document transaction information from a single location.
Rentmaker preserves existing relationships between contractors and rental houses while offering each side the opportunity to increase profits. All transactions are conducted on a password-protected, secure system.
Rentmaker transmits requests or RFQs from contractors or other rental customers to several qualified rental houses according to rental criteria chosen by the contractor. Multiple quotes are submitted in a standard format through Rentmaker for the prospective renter to review.
Contractors get several bids, save time and may still use a regular equipment rental provider - at no cost.
The final selection of the equipment provider is done directly by the renter and may be based on familiar criteria as well as options provided by Rentmaker.
"The power of the transaction remains between the rental house and prospective renters," said Jerome Meier, president of Rentmaker. "The rental agreement will still be made between the two parties directly. What we do is eliminate the inefficiencies of a fragmented market by providing contractors with multiple bids from rental houses in a fraction of the time. For rental houses, using Rentmaker can mean much higher utilization of rental equipment and less equipment sitting in the lot costing - not earning - money."
For questions or help regarding Rentmaker's services, e-mail:
customerservice@rentmaker.com or call Rentmaker's Customer Service Center at (800) 889-9323.
RentalRiver.com, San Francisco, recently launched its online rental marketplace for businesses and consumers. The company has developed an online rental infrastructure for professional rental providers, consumers and businesses.
RentalRiver.com has been emphasizing the benefits and opportunities of renting vs. buying. The company will implement a creative media campaign to make consumers and businesses more aware of rental opportunities. As part of this campaign, RentalRiver will leverage its relationships with activity-focused Web sites that are looking for ways to enable their customers to do things.
"RentalRiver harnesses the Internet to simplify the rental process, allowing consumers quick, easy access to companies and individuals offering products for rent," said David Inns, CEO of RentalRiver.com. "What's exciting is that today an average person isn't even aware of all the opportunities to rent things instead of buying them. We plan to help people become aware of the rental option and grow demand for rental services through creative marketing opportunities not previously available.
"The RentalRiver.com marketplace will function by allowing consumers to post demand for specific items. Registered rental providers can then respond at their discretion with product information, availability and pricing. Site users can track requests and matches in an easy-to-use, online facility," Inns said. A sophisticated evaluation system will allow actual renters to rank rental providers, so service and quality are part of the rental process. Early rental provider registrants will be allowed a free trial period, and customers will be able to freely browse the site, using it as an information and communication tool, or as an enhanced rental directory service.
"People ask how RentalRiver.com will be different from some of the other Web companies," said Inns. "The answer is simple: our whole business model is built around expanding the marketplace and driving new demand for rental products. We think the American consumer and small businessperson would be renting far more frequently if they were a little more educated about the huge array of products available and about the superior economics of renting. To get the message out, we've developed a creative marketing and Internet partnership campaign.
"We're partnering with some of the most popular Web sites out there to put the rental option at the forefront of e-commerce.
"When a person accesses the Web to learn how to do a home improvement project, or how to plan a party, or what to take on a camping trip, RentalRiver.com will be there to hook them up with the rental providers in their area.
"And that's a key to our plan: a great marketplace of rental stores. When a store joins up with us, they are still totally in control. They don't tell us their inventories or their prices, so they won't be posted on the Internet. Instead of just being a fulfillment mechanism like other sites, RentalRiver.com enables the store owner or manager to interact with the customer and lend their expertise."
TradeYard.com, a global heavy equipment marketplace headquartered in San Francisco, and Heartland Communications Group, Fort Dodge, Iowa, publisher of Contractor's Hotline and Farmer's Hotline, have announced an exclusive three-year partnership, creating an online source of used heavy equipment.
As part of the partnership, TradeYard.com will gain immediate access to a number of Heartland's proprietary assets, including its entire database of more than 100,000 pieces of used heavy equipment, valued at about $2.5 billion, a 2.5 million-name active buyer/seller database and extensive call center services.
"Together, Heartland and TradeYard will leverage Heartland's used-equipment listings, specifications, historical auction prices and other data," said Simon Newman, president and CEO of TradeYard.com.
"Heartland's brand and operations focus on the sale of used heavy equipment," said Steve Scanlan, president of Heartland Communications Group. "We spent considerable time and effort sorting through the field of online competitors and decided to tie our future to TradeYard. Their customer-friendly technology, compelling business model and strong management team present the right ingredients for the successful migration of Heartland's assets to the Internet. We are delighted to be entering into an alliance with a company who is as customer-focused as we are.
"Buyers demand selection," he said. "And now, through our partnership with TradeYard, they have a greater selection than ever before."