Not For Me
I checked a couple of prices on the site. For a Verizon Samsung Omnia, they wanted $36 per month ($24/month for members). For a Verizon BlackBerry Storm, it was $45/month ($30 for members). Those prices don't sound too bad, but they leave a lot of unanswered questions.
1. Do those rates include any service? At those prices, I'm guessing that they don't, so you'll still have to pony up monthly service, which makes the deal a lot less interesting.
2. If some level of service is included, what is it? Basic phone, U.S., unlimited? Is there any data plan included?
3. How do you handle number portability? For GSM phones, you can just plug a SIM in (if you have one). CDMA phones means a trip to the carrier, I suspect.
4. When a phone is returned, do they wipe it to avoid sending personal information to another person? Their Privacy Policy didn't seem to say.
Their privacy policy did say, "From time to time, we make our mailing list available to carefully screened companies whose products we believe will be of interest to you. We do not share email addresses for this purpose. If you prefer to have your name withheld, please contact us and let us know." So it's an opt-out system, not opt-in.
For people who like to get a phone, customize it and keep it for a while, I don't see any point to this service. It seems this service is only for people who switch phones every month and can afford an additional hefty charge.
A company that I used to work for had a similar rental system created. It made more sense to me, though, because it wasn't for phones but another hot technology product. But Rentoble doesn't seem like a service I'd use.
Steve
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