Hacker News Reader

It doesn't have to be complex to be useful. I had a small plumbing project, needed a pex crimper. My local plumbing store will loan it to you for free if you buy the parts there. There is no schedule, no set time to return it. If it is there, you can have it. If not, you can wait, they will call you when it comes in.

View on HN

Ah, the wonder of old-fashioned hardware (etc) stores. I bet your local store could not only lend you the tool but also give you useful advice on using it, or on your project in general.

What a loss to our communities as online retail drives them out of business. If I can get my supplies from Amazon for 20% less, but then have to buy the tool that I could have borrowed from the local store, and spend twice as long doing the job because I didn't talk it over with the experienced guy behind the counter, have I really come out ahead?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com