I don't know....I did loan my AFM to a good friend. He ended up tuning it up and doing some nice things for me while he had it, so it was a great experience. Here is where I knid of agree with others, and why I think you are getting conflicting comments that go against the intent of your post. If I know someone well enough to rent them a game, and I would never do that if I didn't already know the person, then I would not feel "right" about taking money. I would feel happy to loan it out. And if I wanted to rent my games, I agree with another person that $100 just isn't worth the hassle, or not having the game when I get the bug to play it....which we all know would happen if it were gone. At some point something is going to happen to a game, either in moving or during play, that will wipe out the income derived from loaning it. And if I did charge the $100, it would be because I kind of needed the dough, and then the repair and wear issue is even more of a consideration. No....if I wanted to do this just to try out other games, it would have to be a free loan. And if it cost much more than $100 a month, which would address the financial issue to some degree, then I don't think it would make finanacial sense to the renter. And limiting the number of plays? I wouldn't be in as a renter.

Here is one twist though. How about renting to own? If you had a game you knew you didn't want, you could offer to rent it out for 30 or 60 days or whatever and apply it to a predetermined price. If the buyer didn't want it you just keep the rental fee. Thats the only way it makes sense to me, and then I wouldn't feel bad keeping their money.

I operated for years so I concur with your excellent point. Of course, that is another way of stating part of my point which was made after your post. It would need to be approached as a business arrangement, not really a loan (sorry to the op...I know this isn't what you were asking, but it points to why renting probably won't work for most). When you look at it from a percentage point, I guess $100 makes more sense but for me personally, I wouldn't rent for so little. AFM at $100 isn't worth it. And as someone that sells pins for a living, I can tell you there is a definite downward trend going on with retail pricing, which is amazing though welcome to see. I would not want a high end expensive game tied up in a rental if I thought I might want to sell it. AFM were going for a retail price of $12k and some more depending on condition....if you could find one. I have seen three in the last 60 days for $8k or less. That would have more than wiped out any rental gains.

True, it is different. It was simply the only way I could see where renting made some sense.

Boy do I agree with that!

But we are then back to my point....if I had a Pinside buddy I knew well enough to rent him a game, I couldn't take his money...we're friends. I would loan it to him, and I have done that before and was happy to. Me personally, I wouldn't rent to the average Joe I didn't know. I agree with all the risks that have been mentioned above. I think its great when two or three people live in the same area and can simply rotate their pins around just like you would on a game route. Then everyone will likely take care of the games, no money changes hands (friends and money....they don't mix well anyway) and everyone can just have a great time with the pins!