ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXWhat is fat lama money?
7 years, 6 months ago - Vasco de Sousa
No, this isn't a John Galt type question. I checked out Fat Lama, I don't know why, and now I received an invitation with some money. Someone, perhaps a former crew member, offering to rent something which I may no longer possess.
Is this person inviting me like Tom from Myspace? (Tom was a nice guy. But he never shared any of my posts.) Is the "person" who invited me perhaps Tom's AI stepsister (or perhaps his ex?)?
I've used other rental services (lens pimp has an unfortunate name, but the service was excellent and professional.) However, the prospect of perhaps renting out some of my equipment might allow me to buy more stuff that I don't need. (And even keep cool stuff that I can't find space for.)
But, I have my doubts. It looks kind of amateur-ish, at best Uber for camera owners. Probably not enough to make a living on, or even to pay off the cost of equipment.
Anyone with experience on Fat Lama, good or bad, please let me know. Also, bad experiences with rental firms, including that one, are always amusing and educational.
I'm putting this under camera lighting because I can't find a category for equipment rental.
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7 years, 6 months ago - John Lubran
Fat Lama pursued us for a bit offering their services for renting out equipment. They're generalists, in that they facilitate renting out absolutely anything. Their business model is simply to find anyone with something rentable. They're attracted to our industry because of the perceived high value of equipment. They probably have not cottoned on to the fact that technology has reduced the costs so significantly. as with many people in the industry who still favour mega buck equipment even though the bang for buck ratio is increasingly hard to justify.
We didn't find Fat Lama to be agreeable to our business model. They are not nearly as empathetic enough to our needs as are specialist businesses. Also their £25,000 insurance limit on any one claim might not be enough for many circumstances.
Response from 7 years, 6 months ago - John Lubran SHOW
7 years, 6 months ago - Liam Morgan
Fat Lama is cool - I've got my kit on there. I havent made crazy amounts of money but enough that in my opinion its worth doing. Haven't got a bad word to say about it.
Response from 7 years, 6 months ago - Liam Morgan SHOW
7 years, 6 months ago - John Lubran
That's very interesting Liam, What sort of kit are you renting out?
Response from 7 years, 6 months ago - John Lubran SHOW
7 years, 6 months ago - Liam Morgan
Just some tungsten lights, lenses, camera. As you said its insured up to £25000 so might not be a good option if you're lending out Alexa's with Master primes but a C100 with some lights is all good.
Heres my profile: https://fatlama.com/profile/8152686
Response from 7 years, 6 months ago - Liam Morgan SHOW
7 years, 6 months ago - John Lubran
Thanks for that Liam. Good to know.
Response from 7 years, 6 months ago - John Lubran SHOW
7 years, 6 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy
I've just taken the plunge after vaguely pondering it for months. I've just listed a 1200W HMI light with a Hollywood Combo stand. Bit worried about renting out something that can so easily be messed up - dropped / incorrectly operated / rained on, etc.
I'll probably be listing some grip gear soon.
If I make enough money to pay the rent on the storage unit where I keep my kit, I'll be happy.
Response from 7 years, 6 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy SHOW
7 years, 5 months ago - Vasco de Sousa
Thanks John, Alwyne and Liam for sharing that. I guess it could work for small pieces of prosumer equipment, but not for a large amount of professional gear.
Response from 7 years, 5 months ago - Vasco de Sousa SHOW