Bike storage - side hustle?

[crankcall]

We store boats , no lawyers required , it’s a simple “ hold harmless” form they sign . They have to show proof of insurance. Fire , theft, loss is all on them , we have been doing this for decades . The insurance for you is not awful but you would need to scale this to be a profit center.
If it was hard , there wouldn’t be 9zillion storage yards and buildings around .

There is a steel barn outside Milton exact location is never discussed , concrete floor , you sign a hold harmless form, he provides a trickle charger , shop is alarmed and hold about 50 cars . You make an appointment to drop off or pickup , no unscheduled drop ins are allowed . He makes about 70k per winter .


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[oioioi]

I may have spoken to this steel barn guy once, 2 seasons ago.

 

[mimico_polak]

Well I guess I was wrong. As @crankcall states this is doable just need to protect yourself properly.

 

[bitzz]

Bar Hodgeson used to put on track days. They were the best managed track days I have ever been to, they were run by Bar's son and Ken Livingston.
So one day an American guy crashed, and I guess he had some sort of income/job insurance (fairly normal for execs) and his insurance provider decided to sue. Bar's company got named in the suit (again fairly normal, when you sue, you sue EVERYBODY remotely associated and let the courts settle it out).
Bar got to spend around $300-350,000 on lawyers to prove he did nothing wrong. Pretty sure the guy's insurance eventually paid out. They didn't like that.
Your waiver is only as good as the lawyer that wrote it.

 

[regder]

Not a lawyer, but I believe the area of contract law this would pertain to is called bailment. Whereby you transfer possession of a physical item to another while retaining ownership.

Even with a disclaimer and waiver, if for whatever reason you are negligent, you can be held responsible. To cover yourself, please look into appropriate insurance. No idea on the costs but this just seems where all it takes is one slip up and it could ruin you financially.

 

[Jampy00]

All valid points, interesting conversation. Appreciate the input and information.

 

[nobbie48]

Not a lawyer, but I believe the area of contract law this would pertain to is called bailment. Whereby you transfer possession of a physical item to another while retaining ownership.

Even with a disclaimer and waiver, if for whatever reason you are negligent, you can be held responsible. To cover yourself, please look into appropriate insurance. No idea on the costs but this just seems where all it takes is one slip up and it could ruin you financially.

Not a lawyer either. Two extremes are 1) verbal, no witnesses and 2) Full blown contract

In 1, it becomes a he said she said argument. "I paid", "No you didn't" You shoulda No you shoulda.

In 2, even the placing or omission of a comma can change meanings. Pay your lawyers

Spot the errant commas:

“Highlights of his global tour include encounters with Nelson Mandela, an 800-year-old demigod and a dildo collector”.​

“Goats cheese salad ingredients: lettuce, tomato, goats, cheese”​

“Slow children crossing”​

 

[Aens]

Even if you remove the legal aspects of it, just thinking of the headache if something were to happen.

For example: Bike falls off the kickstand cause tire goes flat over winter. Knocks over one of your other customer's shiny red Italian bike and creates lots of smaller shiny red bits. Who should pay for the damage? Now imagine the conversation. Make it worse and lets say they are both buddies with you but not buddies with each other. All for what? Your Timmies parking lot coffee bill next season.

 

[timtune]

but they would have access to bikes upon request.

This could be a big pain in the arse. When we put our camper van away we know it's not available at the first hint of warm weather but rather when the storage unit opens. Everyone will agree to leave it there until a predetermined date BUT start to pester you at the first hint of spring.

 

[Jampy00]

This could be a big pain in the arse. When we put our camper van away we know it's not available at the first hint of warm weather but rather when the storage unit opens. Everyone will agree to leave it there until a predetermined date BUT start to pester you at the first hint of spring.

Sorry, that was in reference to picking up. Meaning they can't just show up.

 

[timtune]

Sorry, that was in reference to picking up. Meaning they can't just show up.

I meant that in reference to picking up in the spring. You need to set a date End of April , May 24 whatever when you "open" the barn and people can come for their stuff. Otherwise the first warm day in March the guy with his bike at the very back shows up wanting to ride. Inmates can't be running the asylum.

 

[Jampy00]

I meant that in reference to picking up in the spring. You need to set a date End of April , May 24 whatever when you "open" the barn and people can come for their stuff. Otherwise the first warm day in March the guy with his bike at the very back shows up wanting to ride. Inmates can't be running the asylum.

Agreed

 

[crankcall]

Geez you’ll be up near Erin , our riding season starts a month earlier down here by the lake . Even the ADV bikes don’t like snow .


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[Jampy00]

Geez you’ll be up near Erin , our riding season starts a month earlier down here by the lake . Even the ADV bikes don’t like snow .


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Snow shmow

 

[Relax]

Regarding insurance and liability, I don't see how it's any different from parking in a parking lot?

 

[Jampy00]

Ok, here is what we have learned so far.

• Being that this is not a business, keep it small and keep it to known parties (Friends, etc.)
• Keep storage to close proximity (no "Down here by the lake") situations.
• Use a "Hold Harmless" form.
• Schedule drop off and pick up dates, stick to schedule.
• Some people are d-bags

Seems reasonable, but we'll see.
Still not sure I want any risks as the last point is the most accurate.

 

[oioioi]

Yes the last point ruins the fun for everyone

 

[Relax]

Regarding insurance and liability, I don't see how it's any different from parking in a parking lot?

Just to expand on this, is the property owner liable for anything in these situations?

Free indoor/outdoor parking lot (plaza, shopping mall, etc.)
Pay-for-use indoor/outdoor parking lot (Impark, Green P, etc.)
Self storage unit
Underground garage parking space of a rental apartment

 

[matt365]

Ok, here is what we have learned so far.

• Being that this is not a business, keep it small and keep it to known parties (Friends, etc.)
• Keep storage to close proximity (no "Down here by the lake") situations.
• Use a "Hold Harmless" form.
• Schedule drop off and pick up dates, stick to schedule.
• Some people are d-bags

Seems reasonable, but we'll see.
Still not sure I want any risks as the last point is the most accurate.

Some people are d-bags.

Most people are fine.

Like you said, use your douche radar.

Make sure those storing have adequate insurance. Fire & theft minimum. If the barn burns down, they're covered under their own policy.

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[GreyGhost]

Ok, here is what we have learned so far.

• Being that this is not a business, keep it small and keep it to known parties (Friends, etc.)
• Keep storage to close proximity (no "Down here by the lake") situations.
• Use a "Hold Harmless" form.
• Schedule drop off and pick up dates, stick to schedule.
• Some people are d-bags

Seems reasonable, but we'll see.
Still not sure I want any risks as the last point is the most accurate.

I would also add that bikes are inaccessible during storage. I don't want a bike owner scoping out which bikes are in there nor potentially interacting/damaging any other bike. I know some bike storage places went as far as picking up bikes to keep the warehouse location secret but that wouldn't work well in this case imo. Drop off in driveway, pickup in driveway keeps randoms away from the other bikes.

Are you keeping batteries on tenders, are owners keeping batteries or just let them sit and charge them in the spring?

Are you maximizing capacity by packing tight or keeping bikes separate so if one tips over it won't touch another? Separate also allows them to come out in any order.