Mid Atlantic Business Opportunity for US & Canada - Rent machines from your collection to media productions!

[classicguyphilly]

Closest Major City

US and Canada

Hello VCFers!

While I’m new to this forum I’ve been on 68kMLA for a while (also ClassicGuyPhilly) and have attended several VCF East events over the past couple years.

I’ve been spinning up a little side business that may be of interest and benefit to some in the VCF community. Last year I made some money and had a great time renting out machines from my collection to a film production company that was making a documentary. I wanted to promote this more and created VintageComputerRental.com with the intent to put a portion of my collection up for rent and also establish a network of affiliate collectors in the USA and Canada willing to rent out items from their collections. I spent over two decades in the media industry and have extensive experience working with productions.

There are a few things about this idea that I think are special. First, this community can offer subject matter expertise better than anyone. Second, our collections are extensive, containing computers and other pieces of technology history, peripherals, and other collectibles that are of great quality and range from common to hard to find to ultra rare. Hence my possibly-clever tagline “Go beyond the Prop House experience!”

Before reading on, this is a risk versus reward opportunity. It is absolutely possible your machine or other items could be damaged or lost. However, there is what some may consider a decent reward for taking the risk. For example, an NYC prop house charges $175 USD per day for a non-functioning Mac SE system with customer pickup/return. I completely understand this concept isn’t for everyone, but read on if you’re intrigued and want to know how all this would work.

While anyone in any US or Canadian area is welcome to join, the following areas have an existing and/or growing TV and Film production presence and are of particular interest for establishing affiliate collectors:

USA - Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City/Northern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, OR, Salt Lake City

Canada - Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver

I started promoting the business and soliciting affiliate collectors on 68kMLA at the end of January. I currently have applications or high interest from collectors across 11 metro areas in the US and Canada. I was also at VFC East last week and spoke with many exhibitors and attendees, several of whom showed interest in the concept. (if you were one of the folks I spoke with I thank you very much for your time and our conversation, there was a lot of enthusiasm for the idea which I greatly appreciate!)

I’ve included a quick Affiliate Network Collector FAQ below. I’m happy to answer additional questions in this thread or via PM.

I’m presently working with my attorney to finalize an affiliate agreement after which I can start on-boarding network collectors.

If you’re interested in joining, you can PM me (include your location) or use the Affiliate Collector Inquiry form on the website.

Thanks for your consideration!

Who can join the VintageComputerRental.com affiliate collector network?

We are accepting applications from US and Canadian individual vintage computer collectors, established collector-owned vintage computer rental businesses, and vintage computing museums and non-profits.

How does membership in the VintageComputerRental.com affiliate collector network work?

VintageComputerRental.com acts as a “matchmaker” for media & theatrical productions and vintage computer collectors willing to rent items from their collections. Each affiliate collector will have a web page created on VintageComputerRental.com with their location, pictures and details about their collection, and a short bio (can be anonymous). We will also provide announcements for your onboarding and publish content for your featured rental engagements and featured articles. All affiliate collectors benefit from VintageComputerRental.com’s singular brand awareness, marketing, SEO, and other promotions.

We receive inquiries from clients then based on their requirements and location pair them with a network affiliate collector who can provide an authentic, period correct presentation to meet their needs.

The affiliate collector and client directly set terms and pricing then work together during the rental engagement. All invoicing and payments are between the client and the affiliate collector. VintageComputerRental.com receives a percentage from the affiliate collector. All disputes would be between the affiliate collector and the client. The affiliate collector is responsible for all applicable taxes and legal requirements for doing business.

Do I have to rent items from my entire collection?

Absolutely not. Each affiliate collector chooses which items are available for rental.

Do the computers and other items need to work?

Different clients will have different needs. Most will want a visually presentable system, meaning a clean, decently intact, period-correct computer/monitor with keyboard (and mouse if applicable for period). Some clients will need a functional system, others will be fine with a non-functioning one used only as set decoration.

Is there a process for working with the clients? What if I have no experience with media & theatrical productions?

Each affiliate collector receives training before engaging with their first potential client. This training provides a complete end-to-end rental engagement process covering best practices for working with media productions including going on-location to shoots. We also provide templates for rental quotes, equipment manifests, and other purposes.

How are rental items provided to clients and handled during rental engagements?

Affiliate collectors make all decisions on how their vintage computing items will be transported and handled during rental engagements. The most common arrangements are:

• Shipped – rental item(s) are shipped to the client, the client handles during engagement and ships back
• Local Pick Up/Return – affiliate collector directly provides rental item(s) to the client, the client handles during engagement and directly returns items to the affiliate collector
• Collector Transported - affiliate collector transports to and from client location(s). Affiliate collector may or not set up/break down but would not be present for the entire rental engagement
• Fully Collector Supervised - affiliate collector transports rental items(s) to and from client location, sets up and breaks down, and is present to supervise and provide support during the entire rental engagement

“The Godfather of Fentanyl” by Steve Rotfeld Productions​

1990 small office scene featuring functional Macintosh SE All-in-One computer system, ImageWriter II printer, and External Modem

1990 government office scene featuring functional Macintosh IIfx desktop computer system, ImageWriter II printer, and related items

Lastly, I was asked to be an actor and portray Jack Fasanello, a DEA Clandestine Lab Coordinator. Scene features a Macintosh IIx system

 

[Al Kossow]

Beware!
Production companies are notorious for mishandling props.

 

[classicguyphilly]

Hi @Al Kossow thanks for reading and the cautionary note. This really does need to be an eyes wide open situation for those considering renting from their collection.

I’ve discussed this very topic with many others and it’s covered on 68kMLA too. I’ve heard the good, the bad and the ugly.

There are ways to mitigate risk (covered more during training), the best is also an opportunity to upsell…supervised rentals. As mentioned above, this is an arrangement where the collector transports and supervises their machines etc for the entire rental engagement. Depending on the production company/project (no surprise some have very deep pockets) and scope of engagement, it may be worth some travel or taking a day off work to go to a shoot. For those who have never experienced a media production, it’s an opportunity to be a part of something pretty interesting and see what happens behind the scenes. Craft service tends to be pretty good too! Something a 68kMLAer brought up…use in a media production provides a special attribute to a machine that could add financial value or motivation for preservation. Think about how cool it would be to own the next featured vintage computer from some big film.

For my rental with “Godfather” I transported to/from and supervised the two shoots with the functioning Mac SE and IIfx. I both supervised and handed over the IIx, KB, mouse, 13” CRT, printer, and cables. Everything from the unsupervised shoot was returned unharmed. I specifically selected these items because a functioning computer wasn’t a requirement, the IIx doesn’t work and that was the lesser of the two 13” RGB’s and correct KB's I own. Finally, I had a signed rental agreement.

Each potential engagement needs to be evaluated for risk vs reward and the affiliate collector is always free to walk away from any referral they don’t like for any reason. It’s best practice to have a written and signed rental agreement for any deal that is struck.

For those still interested, there’s really no risk to just join the network and see what opportunities may be out there

Looking forward to more conversation.

 

[MauriceH]

Came across this thread,
As I have multiple times rented out equipment/stuff , there are some issue's.

-First the shipment of delicate equipment.
You have to provide good casing and package material that you find good enough.
Also outside good casing and package material would not mean internals stay in place.
If dealing with a Official Museum ,you could even provided with their shipping casing and material.
Also they make all the shipping arrangement.

So (in my case) sent out old tube equipment. beware to secure internals if needed.
Old Hard Drive is at its parking-spot, Floppy-Drives have a secure shipping card to lock the heads, etc etc.

-Make very hard appointments how you get the stuff back and in what condition.
Like wise with a rental car , agree both on current state of already scratches and bumps.Make Photo's.
-Make good instruction notes how to use ,in clear simple terms, if it must be in operating state.
-If been used for long period of time, like couple of months at a museum, be sure it is
electrical safe and according regulations.
-Make good contract about payment and when pay-out is done.
-Be prepared to help out and take time to ,at location, repair, build,set-up if needed.
-Beware not all rent-outs are the same, some need your time and travel.
-Be prepared item could be damaged, break down electrically and don't make to much of a fuss about it.

So idea is to not sent out your most delicate, rare item you have.
-The price you ask is also the exception rate and amount of demands from costumer.
A high price = very high demand from costumer,and so lot of your time involved also.
A low price = low demands.
-If you say to fast 'yes" to a working rent out, be aware it could involve lot of work/preparation and deliver on time.
(often its old stuff that could break down)
-If dealing with a business / Big high profile museum be prepared to also sign on their agreements, official documents etc.
As they on regular base deal with rentals and so they have their own regulations and documents you have to comply with.

With museum/exhibitions I have had good results and good contacts been held regularly about small questions and issues.
With some "artists" I have in between results.

Some item did end up in a movie, one item ended up in a book about some High profile figure, etc.
In all those moments I receive photo's ,small film cuts, Book,leaflets etc Item(s) ends up in./at.
Exhibition equipment run for couple of months (I internally made arrangements that 55+yr old stuff could operate safely) and provide
a backup if one would break down.
Some other stuff ,I regularly visited that exhibition to observe and adjust.
Display items are easy, just a sent out and receive.

Nice come by if f.i. rent out to a museum , and you get good contact with f.i. the head of Storage ,you could get some calls later on
for assistance other events and or questions about their own collection and assist in archiving.
That way I had at least 2 Museums I regular got a phone call/emails and even ended up also with some overstock items.

About those project-"Artists"-as they are like they behave, lots of promises, never received results ,or photo's,and little things missing etc.
They have to pay at front ,as if afterwards you never get paid or some of it.
Only 1 artist, way back, I could one of his art-work to choose from, still hanging here in the living room.

A friend of my rented out his old stuff on 1 very hard condition, he be very close to his stuff at any time.
So he ended up ,they handed over a coat,hat and shawl, as a figure in that movie behind his equipment. LoL.

90% of the rent-outs I had in several disciplines, It involved lot of my time, preparation, organisation,regulation.
Old radio/TV equipment, Mini Style room, old (120yr+) Big historical vessel .

 

[johnx993]

For 'recently vintage' machines like the Macs shown, this seems worthwhile as they can be replaced.
But... for items that can't be easily replaced, damage would be unacceptable.
Also, ordinary insurance would hesitate to cover items that cannot be replaced.
May be better to just build mockups as props in that case.
-J

 

[classicguyphilly]

@MauriceH thanks for all your great advice and best practices. I have much of what you advised regarding shipments and client handling included in my training, however the hard drive and floppy drive travel prep are great notes I will definitely add. I have yet to hear from anyone about museum rentals, thanks for all your notes on this area. I appreciate all the time and thoughtfulness you put into your post!

@johnx993 thanks for checking out the site! You're absolutely correct, not every vintage machine should be considered for rentals, and some should only be considered for "supervised" rental engagements where the owner is the only person to transport/handle and is present for the entire shoot. This is a risk vs reward situation, and in some cases the right play is to walk away if the deal isn't right. The decision to do a deal or not do a deal is always left to the Affiliate Collector.