1) Pick-Up & Delivery (How you get the item)

Q: How do I get the item I’m renting? When an owner lists an item, they choose which handoff options they offer. Right now, they can pick from: Renter picks up and drops off Owner drops off and picks up

You’ll see the available option(s) right on the listing and you can even filter search results by handoff type. After you book, a message box automatically opens so you and the owner can coordinate the exact time and place.

Q: Can I filter by delivery or pick-up options? Yes. When you search, you can filter by handoff type (pick-up, or owner drop-off) so you only see items that work for your schedule and transportation.

Q: When do I arrange the details? As soon as your booking is confirmed, you’ll have a private chat with the owner. That’s where you’ll confirm timing, exact location, parking, access details, etc.

2) Booking & Payments

Q: How does booking work? Find an item, choose your dates, review the price, and submit the booking. Once the owner accepts your rental is confirmed. After you book, a message box automatically opens so you and the owner can coordinate the exact time and place.

Q: When am I charged? When you book an item, your payment is securely processed and placed into a temporary reserve. This means your card is charged at the time of booking, but the funds are held until the rental is complete.

Q: Are there any extra fees? You’ll always see a clear price breakdown before you confirm: item rental, any platform/service fee, and applicable taxes. There are no surprise charges after you book.

Q: When does the owner get paid? After the rental ends, the payment stays on hold for a short period to allow time for any issues or disputes to be reported. If everything checks out and no dispute is opened, the payout is released to the owner automatically.

Q: What if there’s a problem with the rental? We encourage renters and owners to communicate openly through the messaging system first. I contact BorrowBuddy Support and we’ll help you navigate the next steps.

3) Damage & Safety

Q: What happens if an item is damaged during my rental? We expect both renters and owners to treat items with care. If something does happen, we encourage you to message the owner right away through the platform so you can work together on a fair solution.

Q: What if there is a disagreement about a cancellation? If renter and owner cannot resolve the situation through messaging, please contact BorrowBuddy Support for help. We review the booking details, communication, and policies to make a fair decision.

4) Renting Out Your Items (For Owners)

Q: How do I list an item to rent out? Create an account, click “List an item,” add photos, a description, pricing, availability, and choose your preferred handoff options (pick-up, meet-up, or drop-off). Once it’s published, renters can find and book it.

Q: How do I get paid? After the rental ends, the payment stays on hold for a short period to allow time for any issues or disputes to be reported. If everything checks out and no dispute is opened, the payout is released to the owner automatically (usually after a few days).

Q: Can I choose who rents my item? Yes. You’ll see a booking request with the renter’s basic info and dates. You can accept or decline the request, and you can also message them with any questions before confirming.

Q: What types of items are best to list? Items people need occasionally but don’t want to buy are ideal—tables and chairs, party supplies, tools, outdoor gear, extra seating, decor, etc. If it’s safe, legal, and useful, there’s probably someone nearby who would rather rent it than purchase it. For more detail on what to list vs not go to section 6.

Q: When do I arrange the details? A: As soon as your booking is confirmed, you’ll have a private chat with the owner. That’s where you’ll confirm timing, exact location, parking, access details, etc.

5) Standard Cancellation Rules

Q: What are the cancellation terms?

1. Cancellations More Than 24 Hours Before Start Time: If a renter cancels more than 24 hours before the scheduled rental start time, they are eligible for a 100% refund of the rental price, excluding: Payment processing fees Service fees Any optional add-ons (such as insurance or delivery, if applicable)

2. Cancellations Within 24 Hours of Start Time: If a renter cancels within 24 hours of the scheduled start, they will receive a 50% refund of the rental price. Fees and optional add-ons (insurance, etc.) are non-refundable.

3. No-Show or Cancelling During the Rental Period No refund will be issued. If a renter: Does not show up, Fails to pick up the item, or Cancels after the rental period has begun.

4. Owner-Initiated Cancellations: If the owner must cancel due to circumstances such as: Unexpected weather Item malfunction Emergency Any issue beyond the renter’s control then the renter will receive a full refund, including the rental amount and all BorrowBuddy fees (excluding any third-party costs such as insurance, if applicable). Owners are expected to cancel only when necessary and must communicate promptly with the renter.

5. Mutual Agreement to Cancel: If both parties mutually agree to cancel a reservation for any reason, BorrowBuddy may issue a full refund once written confirmation is received from the owner and renter through the platform messaging system.

6. Refund Processing: Refunds are processed back to the original payment method. Timing may vary based on bank or card issuer policies. BorrowBuddy processes refunds promptly but cannot control external processing times.

7. Special Circumstances: BorrowBuddy reserves the right to override the above cancellation terms in rare cases involving: Safety concerns, Verified fraudulent activity Violations of the Terms of Use.

BorrowBuddy strives to maintain a fair and safe marketplace for all users.

6) What items can be listed

Q: What items are not allowed? For safety, legal, and liability reasons, certain items are not allowed on BorrowBuddy. BorrowBuddy reserves the right to remove listings that don’t align with our safety or policy guidelines. Prohibited items include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: firearms ammunition or explosives, houses condos & apartments, illegal substances or drug paraphernalia, construction equipment requiring certification, cars or motorcycles, personal hygiene products, used mattresses, or items that cannot be safely cleaned between uses or sexually explicit items.

Q: What can I list on BorrowBuddy? BorrowBuddy is designed for everyday, neighbor-to-neighbor items that are safe, legal, and easy to use. You're encouraged to list items like Home and DIY, Outdoor and recreation, Events, Party and Hosting items, kids and family gear, electronics and equipment not requiring licensure like standard trailers.

Q: What if I’m not sure whether an item is allowed? If you’re unsure: Ask yourself: “Could a neighbor safely use this without special training?” Check local laws or regulations if applicable. Reach out to us — we’re happy to help BorrowBuddy reserves the right to remove listings that don’t align with our safety or policy guidelines.