Startup Watch: Ron J. Williams and SnapGoods
One of the most challenging online tasks can be the search for things that you need to rent from others. Whether it be an apartment or even things like tools, finding safe ways to rent things online can be daunting. SnapGoods.com is a new startup website that gives users a safe and easy way to rent things from within their network or neighborhood. Moreover, SnapGoods also guarantees that if something goes wrong that they will repair or replace the item. They also provide a temporary replacement for the item during the period in which it is getting fixed. The most commonly borrowed/requested items include music, photos, tools and gadgets. Posting an ad or requesting a good is also an easy 3-5 minute process.
Since its inception, SnapGoods–and its founder Ron J. Williams–has made quite a splash on the technology scene. In her article “Neighborly Borrowing, Over the Online Fence,” reporter New York Times reporter Jenna Wortham discusses her experience borrowing a Roomba through SnapGoods. Techcrunch calls it “Zipcar for Gadgets.” SnapGoods has also been featured in Inc.com, the Thrillist and the Wall Street Journal.
In an interview with Collaborative Consumption Williams describes the impetus for the creation of SnapGoods and one of his favorite “lending moments” thus far:
On the creation of SnapGoods
The idea came after successfully renting a motorcycle using a classifieds site in an unintended way. I got only as much as I needed (weekend’s worth) and the owner got paid for an idling asset. It hit me as I shook his hand: made safer and easier, THIS is social, sustainable commerce.On the best SnapGood moment thus far
The best SnapGoods moment so far was when we learned that as a result of connecting to hook each other up, two of our users had actually hooked up and started dating. It reminded us how much more this is about the connection than it is about the goods.
Click here to learn more about Williams and the SnapGoods team. To post your own ad on SnapGoods click here. To follow them on Twitter click here.
Category: Featured, Startups | Tags: borrowing, Gadgets, Jenna Wortha, nyt, renting, Ron J Williams, SnapGoods
