The Umbrella-Renting Machines
Introduction
Street vending has been a profession since time immemorial, with street vendors making an essential part of our urban history and culture (Bhowmik, 2012). The vendors move from street to street selling their merchandise, often without appropriate equipment that protect them from adverse weather conditions. The history of street vending can be traced to early entrepreneurs who profited from those milling around in the public markets conducting slave trade (Bhowmik, 2012). Despite the enormous change in what the vendors sell and how they conduct their businesses, the philosophy of vendors in current times is much similar to that from ancient times: capitalize on large gatherings of hungry people (Bromley, 2000). The vendors provide a broad range of goods to the urban population at reasonable prices and convenient locations. The products range from daily needs such as fruits, vegetables, fish, snacks and meat to occasional need that include flowers and readymade clothing. The umbrella- renting machines are easy to use, convenient, and provide higher- quality and more affordable umbrellas compared to other brands.
Overview of the product
The umbrella- renting machines were recently introduced in the city and are currently less known. Probably, many people still do not have an understanding of how the renting machine works. However, it is based on a simple principle that allows inhabits of big cities without personal transportation get shelter from adverse weather conditions. There are over 500 umbrella- renting machines situated in strategic locations in the New York City allowing an automated access to the umbrellas whenever needed (Kim, et al., 2012). City dwellers can pick and drop off the umbrellas at any of the umbrella- renting machines. The users pay a fee of $2.5 for the duration of 16 hours. If one does not return the umbrella, he or she will pay for its full price of $15. Compared to umbrellas sold by other brands, these umbrellas are of higher- quality and easier to use. The umbrellas are easily available since the umbrella- renting machines are conveniently situated around the city to allow the city dwellers pick and drop the umbrellas whenever necessary (Kim, et al., 2012).The intended niche is the city dwellers that frequently strolls the New York City. Most city dwellers are often caught in the rain without an umbrella. Having forgotten their umbrellas at home, they are forced to buy one for a few dollars, which brakes right away in most cases (Kim, et al., 2012). Subsequently, we end up with tons of broken umbrellas abandoned all over the streets and filling the garbage cans. This is a waste of resources. Probably, these umbrellas do not meet the value for their prices. The umbrella- renting machines come with the solution to this issue. With the renting machines, you no longer have to buy umbrellas whose utility is not guaranteed. It is also convenient as you will not be forced to carry an umbrella the whole day for just in case.
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