I interview Gennadiy Ryklin, owner of LensTerminal.com. "I launched LensTerminal.com this year with the goal of providing affordable SLR and lens rentals to the masses. Professional photographers need a way to cut down costs. Families going on vacation may want to use the latest SLR technology. Students may need affordable gear. Our clients are all over the board."
"I recently graduated college and I wanted to do something that not only made me money but made me happy."
"I've been owning businesses since I was 15."
"The number one need for starting this business was capital, which I didn't have. But I've been able to fulfill everyone's orders."
"When I started the business, I thought I would only get professional photographers knocking at our door, but we're getting mainly students and everyday Joes who want to play with the latest SLRs and lenses."
Here's the FAQ from LensTerminal.com:
Can I reserve an SLR, lens, or other rental item?
Yes, we take reservations for orders that are at least 1 week long. If you are local to the Long Island area, we allow 3 day reservations. Please email us with the subject line "Reservation" and include what item(s) you need and date you need them by. Once you receive confirmation from us that we've received your reservation and are able to fulfill it, rest assured your order will be shipped out. If we are not able to fulfill your reservation for any reason, we will contact you immediately.
NOTE: If you are planning on having your rental items arrive for a particular date such as a vacation, birthday, or wedding shoot, please note the shipping options. Our carriers usually deliver packages on time, however there are unexpected scenarios which sometimes cause packages to be late (airport delays, bad weather, delivery man overslept). For this reason, when shipping items in the US, if you have a deadline you have to meet please give yourself a buffer of 2-3 days and set the rental time earlier than normal to ensure your product arrives on time.
If an item is out of stock, could I still order it?
If an item is out of stock you still will have the capability to place an order for it. We ask that you contact us beforehand to check availability of the item, although because of our expanded inventory it is rare you will see an Out of Stock message for any of our items!
When does my rental period begin?
Your rental period starts on the day that either the delivery or the first attempted delivery occurs. For example, if UPS delivers your lens on Friday, your rental period begins the same day on Friday.
When does my rental period end?
Your rental period ends in the number of days you have chosen to rent the item (3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 30 days). For example, if the item arrives on a Friday, the package should be postmarked on the following Friday.
Can I place an order for several items, each with different rental periods?
The easiest way for you to place an order for several different products with varying rental periods is to place a separate order for each one. We ask this because if we do it for one order it would create confusion.
What's included in a lens rental?
We try to include all the accessories that a lens comes with brand new. All lenses come with a front and rear lens cap. Some lenses ship with their accompanying padded case. If a lens comes with a lens hood from the factory, we include this as well. Almost all of our lenses (besides fisheye and most super telephoto) come with protective UV filters. Make sure to return everything you receive when your rental period ends.
What's included in a camera rental?
Bodies ship with a body cap, camera strap, charger, and battery. We also offer extra batteries and CF cards. Note that none of our bodies come with lenses, so if you plan on using the body you must rent a lens.
Are manuals included with equipment?
We carry both paper and digital versions of manuals for equipment - however we've noticed we rarely get the manuals back from customers. If you need a manual, please ask us to include it in the order notes
Can I extend my rental?
Yes, you can extend your rental - so long as no other customers are waiting for the item(s) you've rented. Please contact us before your rental period ends if you are interested. If your item is queued for someone else, you must return the items by the end of your rental period.
We treat the billing of extensions as new orders - this is because it allows us to accurately handle accounting and inventory. You will see a new billing charge for the amount of your order.
I will be leaving the country after my order arrives. Can I take my rental internationally?
Traveling exposes our gear to additional wear if mishandled. If you take care of the equipment, we are glad to have you take your rental items abroad.
I'd like to rent something you do not offer.
Although we carry the most popular and available products on the market, sometimes we do not have what you need. Please contact us and if we have enough other demands, we will purchase the items to rent out to you.
How do I return a lens?
We will either e-mail you a prepaid return-shipping label, or include one in the box with your lens. Repack the lens in the box and padding it came in, seal it, put the return label on it, and take it to the nearest UPS store or shipping location. We strongly recommend taking it to a staffed location (there’s a UPS store nearly everywhere) so you get a receipt. That way we don’t have to have a conversation that starts “the lens never came back and was never received by UPS”. If you do not have a receipt, you are responsible for loss of the lens if it doesn’t return.
Will I be charged a deposit?
Although most camera stores charge deposit fees, we have not had a need to charge a deposit for rented items. Please help us keep it this way!
When is my credit card charged?
When an order is placed, we place an authorization hold for the amount of your order. This does not withdraw any funds from your card or account, but holds them. Only once your item leaves our facility, your credit card is charged for the order amount.
I see a charge right after I placed the order. What gives?
This happens when you use a debit card. However, just as with a credit card, the money has not reached us because it is kept as a hold. Only once your order is shipped do we "capture" the debit card for the amount, and it is then that we receive the funds.
Do you charge taxes?
Yes, if your order is shipped or picked up in New York.
How do I cancel my order?
Please call us to make arrangements.
Do I need to know anything else?
If you order a very expensive item as a first time customer, we may ask you to provide additional information about your identity.
Local Pick-Up
You may pick up between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays if you are in the Long Island, NY area at our office, 5 Williams Blvd, Ste 2K, Lake Grove, NY 11755.
Local renters please note: We are an internet based shipping/warehousing operation. Rental orders must be placed online at least 4 hours prior to expected pick up (making sure to select the local pickup option). We do not accept cash or checks for rentals, the order must be placed with a credit card.
Pick up hours are listed above: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays – if you can’t get here during that time, then please order the lens to be shipped or find a friend who can get it for you.
What shipping method do you use?
We ship via UPS Ground, 2nd Day Air, and Next Day Air methods. Quotes for shipping are available on the shopping cart and checkout pages.
Is a signature required?
Yes, definitely. UPS will not leave anything on a porch, etc. due to a signature requirement.
Where do you ship to?
All 50 states. Due to shipping rates as well as processing times, we do not ship to Canada or other countries.
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