How it works

Is it free to list my gear on the platform?

Yes! It's free to upload and you can upload as many items as you want. We charge a 10% commission to the item owner when a transaction is made, so we only make money when you make money. This helps us to improve the platform and keep it running!

Can I upload my gear and rent from other people?

Yes! You can upload as many items as you want and also rent from others on the platform at the same time.

What if I live outside Edinburgh?

For now we're just operating in Edinburgh. If you don't live here but you're visiting you can set up a profile and rent from local trekkers while you're here! If you live outside of this area and would like to rent out your gear, feel free to contact us and let us know where you're based - we'd love to grow in time!

Why does the calendar booking feature only show 3 months into the future?

Renters are able to book up to 3 months in advance, so the calendar booking system won't show dates beyond 3 months into the future. This is due to the way the platform's payment system Stripe works.

When will I receive payment?

As the owner of the item, payment from the renter is triggered 2 days after the end of the booking period (for example, if the booking ends on Monday, the payout is triggered on Wednesday).

After a payment is triggered, Stripe will begin the process of transferring the funds to your bank account.

It can take Stripe anywhere between 5 to 10 business days to transfer the money to your bank account. There may be additional days of standard bank processing time before the balance appears in your bank account statement.

Can I rent camping equipment for a music festival?

No, sorry! As much as we love music festivals here at Trekkerfolk, outdoor equipment doesn't fare so well. The tents and equipment on the platform are for campsites and wild camping only.

Can I send the owner questions about their item?

Yes! To send a message before submitting a booking request, go to the listing, scroll down to the 'About the listing author' section (at the very bottom of the page) and click 'Contact'.

What if something is damaged?

Due to the nature of camping and hiking, items will inevitably begin to show some normal signs of wear over time. If gear is returned with minor damage that requires repairs to make it functional again, the gear owner can charge a damage fee.

If the gear is not returned or returned broken, the owner can charge the full gear price. Our members agree to Trekkerfolk's "If you break it (or lose it), you've bought it" code of conduct. Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any concerns.

Should I wash sleeping bags before and after renting?

For item owners: Please ensure sleeping bags are clean and in good working condition before handing over to the renter.

For item renters: Normal cleaning responsibility after a rental falls with the owner, however if any marks, stains or damage are not able to be cleaned via washing instructions you are required to pay a cleaning fee to the owner.

What if I need to cancel a booking?

Cancelling as the owner: If you need to cancel a booking request for your item please inform the renter as soon as possible, giving them enough time to find an alternative option. If you do need to cancel a booking that you have already accepted please get in touch with us via email. Cancelling an order results in a full refund to the customer.

Cancelling as the renter: If your booking has been accepted and you need to cancel you'll need to get in touch with the owner (which you can do via the messaging feature) and request cancellation. If you have any questions please get in touch with us and we'll be happy to help.

Please note: Once a booking request is made, the provider must accept or reject the customer’s booking request. If they reject the request, the customer is notified and the charge on their card is cancelled. A booking request will automatically expire at the earliest of the following 3 scenarios:

• If the owner doesn't respond within 6 days (applies only when the booking start date is more than 6 days away).
• One day after the booking start date.
• When the booking period ends.

Is there anything I need to do before returning a tent to the owner?

You should wipe and dry the tent out before returning it to the owner. We recommend using a damp cloth (don't use soap) to wipe any dirt from the bottom sheet and sweeping the inside of the tent. Hang the tent up until it's dry, then fold it back into it's packaging.

How do I know what price to set?

It depends on the product category, brand, RRP and size of the item. The minimum price you can set is £5 per day. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

• 1-2 person tent: between £10-£25 per day
• 4 person tent: between £10-£25 per day
• Hiking backpack: £5-£20 per day
• Sleeping bag: between £5-£15 per day
• Sleeping mat: between £5-£10 per day
• Jetboil gas cooker: around £10 per day

Why isn't there much gear on the platform?

We're brand new! There might not be much gear on the platform yet but we're really excited to grow it. We're starting small in Edinburgh and asking that you spread the word by telling your friends and family about us.

We take the safety of our community seriously, so our team will review all listings and remove any that are suspicious and/or violate our community rules (see below).

💚 Respect all other members and don't send spam, offensive, or threatening messages/ reviews, or engage in any other form of offensive communication.

⛺️ Only create listings for outdoor kit that you own, are authorised to rent, and are in safe condition to use.

✉️ Try to answer all messages in a timely fashion.

🙏 Trekkerfolk is a third-party marketplace and by using it, you must also comply with any and all local laws, regulations, safety measures, and/or booking agreement(s) by listing owners that are applicable.

📵 We don't allow contact information or external links (URL's) on listings and/or in images that are added to listings.  This includes emails, websites, and phone numbers.

🔒 For the safety and security of our community, we don't allow contact information to be sent through our messaging prior to a confirmed booking. Sending messages containing your personal information, contact information, or taking transactions off our platform is against our policies and can result in being removed from the community.