In addition to the usual trends of renting wedding dresses, video game consoles and limousines, in the last few years in Serbia you can also find white goods, televisions, beer dispensers, as well as luxury wardrobes and mobile phones.
More than a hundred companies are currently engaged in this business in Serbia, as well as a large number of individuals who offer their old household appliances for use for a nominal fee. Second-hand goods are mainly of Western European origin. For about 50 euros, you can rent a dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine or stove for a year, and if you want to enjoy a high-resolution image, you can even rent an LED TV for 20 to 25 euros per day.
If you are missing a TV stand, you can rent it for 15 euros for five days, and for a longer period you will get a discount. Most advertisers offer free shipping and installation, and if the device should fail, they will also take care of the repair costs. This type of saving is mostly chosen by sub-tenants, but also by those who, due to poverty, cannot spare a few hundred euros for new appliances. I have been renting white goods for several years, since I came to Belgrade for my studies – says Marina Vasojević, a student at the Faculty of Law, writes Novosti.
I move often and it is not worth it for me to buy new appliances in addition to paying the rent. Until now, all the devices I rented were under warranty, so I didn’t have to worry about additional costs. Expensive items, such as the latest “iPhone” or luxury vintage cars, are also on offer and you will have to reserve them even weeks in advance. Those who deal with this business emphasize that there are long waiting lists and that they are mostly made up of teenagers who want to show off in society and are ready to spend 40 to 60 euros a day.
On the other hand, if you have a “special occasion” coming up and you don’t want to spend a lot of money for one evening, you can rent a formal dress, suit or everyday wardrobe, as well as accessories at low prices, ranging from a few hundred to 1,500 dinars on day.
Market Belgraders use the convenience of renting home appliances the most, while in other cities this business is still developing. In Novi Sad, only a few citizens have heard of this trend, and Niš recently got the first store where citizens can wardrobes at affordable prices.
