How Botties Works
Renting or lending an item is simple. Follow these easy steps to get started.
For Renters
1. Browse & Search
Browse available items in your area. Use filters to find exactly what you need by type, location, price, and condition.
2. Select Dates
Choose your rental period and view the total cost. See pickup and dropoff locations to plan your collection.
3. Pay for your rental
Pay the full rental price online through Stripe when you book. There is no balance to pay later - your booking is confirmed once payment goes through.
4. Collect & enjoy
Meet the owner at the agreed location to collect your item. There is nothing to pay at handover - the rental and any refundable security deposit were both paid at checkout, and the deposit comes back to you after the item is returned in the agreed condition.
For Owners
1. Submit your listing for review
Add your item, photos, description and pricing, then set your availability and pickup/dropoff locations. Once you've added your item and photos, the Botties team will review your listing before it goes live. We check that the listing contains sufficient information and that the item appears to be in suitable condition based on the information and photographs provided.
2. Receive Bookings
Get notified when someone books your item. Review the booking details and confirm the rental period.
3. Get paid
Receive payment securely through Stripe. You set the price, you earn the price - Botties' Platform Fee is charged to the renter on top, never taken from your rental.
4. Hand over
Meet the renter at the agreed location and hand over your item. Any security deposit was already collected by Botties at checkout - you never handle it, and Botties refunds it to the renter after you confirm the item came back in the agreed condition.
Money, clearly
Paying for your rental
You pay the full rental price - plus Botties' Platform Fee, a fixed payment-processing amount, and any refundable security deposit the listing asks for - online through Stripe when you book. Every line is shown before you pay. Your booking is confirmed once that payment succeeds, and there is nothing further to pay at collection.You receive your full rental price, paid out through Stripe after the return is confirmed. Botties' 10% Platform Fee and payment processing are added on top for the renter - never deducted from your price.
Security deposits
If a listing asks for a refundable security deposit, Botties collects it with your rental payment at checkout. It is refunded in full to your original payment method after the owner confirms the item was returned in the agreed condition. If the owner reports a problem, Botties reviews it before the deposit is released.The renter's security deposit is collected by Botties at checkout - you never handle it. When you confirm the item came back in the agreed condition, Botties refunds it to the renter. If you report a problem, the deposit is held while Botties reviews your report.
If something goes wrong
Most rentals and sales go smoothly. When they don't, here's what happens.
Rentals
- The owner reports a material problem when the item comes back.
- The security deposit is held for review rather than refunded automatically.
- We contact both parties and ask for evidence.
- We release the deposit, make a partial deduction, or retain up to the full amount.
Normal wear and tear from reasonable use is not normally grounds for a deduction from the security deposit.
Purchases
- The buyer contacts Botties support about an item that is materially not as described, damaged beyond what was disclosed, incomplete, or a sale the seller cannot complete.
- We may ask both parties for evidence.
- We review what we have and decide the appropriate outcome, including a refund where it is justified.
This does not affect any legal rights you may have where a seller is acting as a business.
Botties acts as the marketplace and does not physically inspect every item or guarantee reimbursement for every claim.
Contact Botties supportReady to get started?
Join our community of families helping families