What Happens if Inventory Doesn’t Come Back on Time?
When we first founded RecRe, one question almost stopped us from even starting: What happens if the inventory doesn’t come back on time?
Initially, we charged students a few dollars for every rental. Like many campus administrators, we were worried about losing inventory or getting it back damaged. But after 100,000+ rentals across more than 50 institutions, we’ve learned something reassuring: the inventory comes back.
The Reality of Inventory Returns
At RecRe, we facilitate tens of thousands of rentals every month, from ping-pong paddles to VR headsets—basically anything a student might need while on campus. And 97% of these rentals are completely free to students, with no immediate financial penalties if items come back late or slightly damaged. Despite this, our return rate is incredibly high: 99.9% of items return safely.
How do we achieve this?
Easy Access, Strong Accountability
Students can access RecRe boxes using basic contact information—first name, last name, campus email, and phone number—or via their campus single sign-on system. The phone number is especially critical, as we text students reminders about their rental duration and due dates. These texts are powerful prompts, ensuring students know they’re accountable.
Pics or It Didn’t Happen
A key step in the rental process is that students must take a photo of the item placed back inside the locker upon return. This simple step does two powerful things:
- Accountability: Students are reminded they’re responsible for the condition of the item.
- Documentation: Administrators have immediate digital records to resolve any questions about the condition or status of returns.
This process creates a comprehensive, easily accessible digital archive for all inventory.
The Three-Strike System: Encouraging Responsibility
If inventory is returned late or without a photo, the student earns a “strike.” Our three-strike policy is a cornerstone of the RecRe accountability framework. Students naturally want continued access to free inventory, so avoiding strikes becomes an effective motivator for responsible behavior.
On campuses using RecRe, it’s common to overhear students reminding each other to return items on time to avoid getting strikes. This culture of accountability is powerful—and it works.
Automated Management, Campus Control
After three strikes, students are automatically banned from renting through RecRe unless manually reinstated by an administrator. Administrators with proper permissions can adjust strikes anytime, but the automation means RecRe, rather than campus administrators, manages the enforcement, reducing administrative burdens.
Supporting Campus Goals
The reason behind our strike system is simple: we want campuses to confidently offer more—and higher quality—inventory to students. Our system addresses their fears about losing or damaging items, making it easy to manage vast inventories efficiently and securely.
With high return rates and an automated accountability system, RecRe offers campuses a practical, reliable solution for enhancing student access to campus amenities.
Ready to improve your campus experience with confidence?
Bring RecRe to your campus today.
