Frequently Asked Questions

Borrowing

  • Yes! We’re open for borrowing. You just need to have an active membership.

  • Our collection and return days are:

    • Tuesdays 4 pm - 6.30 pm
    • Fridays 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    • We'll bring your tools to your vehicle in the Car Park at 718 Penistone Rd, Sheffield S6 2DF.

    For detailed descriptions on where to collect and return your tools, have a look at our 'find us' page: Find Us

    Tools must be returned within 8 days, clean and ready for the next person to use.

  • If tools aren't in high demand, you can extend the loan for another week. Ask the volunteers when collecting. You will be able to do this from your account.

  • Collections and returns are from 718 Penistone Rd, Sheffield S6 2DF

    See directions and openings times on our Find Us page.

  • You can reach out to us and we'll see what can be possible within our team. Email us at borrowit@brightbox.org.uk or visit our contact page.

Reservations

  • Yes, Reserving tools allows us to guarantee the tools are ready for you on collection.

    We're dreaming of a shop front to serve you everyday. While we start up and test out we ask that you reserve the tools you need ahead of time.

    If you are not online, please visit us in person during our opening hours to create a membership. For your first visit, we'll do our best to get you the tools you need on the day. We'll discuss with you the best way for you to reserve tools in the future.

  • You may reserve as many tools as your heart desires! Once you've purchased a membership you can borrow tools at no extra cost.

  • You can browse the tools online here.

    1. Choose a membership here or if you already have a Borrow It account, log in here.
    2. Start browsing our shop here
    3. Choose the collection and return date on each tool you're borrowing
    4. Review your basket after you've added all the tools
    5. Click or tap 'Proceed to checkout'
    6. Fill in your details and submit your reservation
    7. Collect your tools on the day you chose in the reservations
    8. DIY, craft, clean and party for the next 8 days
    9. Clean, repair, charge up and get your tools back to the state you loaned them in
    10. Return your item

    How do I know my reservation has gone through? You will receive an email from us with a summary of the tools you've reserved.

    When do I know my reservation has been taken care of? You'll receive an email by 6 pm the day before your collection date confirming your tools are ready.

  • Cancel your reservation as soon as possible. You can do so via your Borrow It account. You can also email us at borrowit@brightbox.org.uk

    A cancellation fee will be charged for reservations cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.

  • Yes, you can return your tool on any of our collection days before the end of your reservation.

Membership

  • Low income is £3/month or £30/year.

    Standard membership is £10/month or £99/year.

    Pay It Forward membership is £21/month or £199/ year and funds one of our pop-up makerspaces.

  • You should become a member if you would like to borrow tools and equipment.

    Your membership benefits you and makes a difference in your local community. You can read about the impact we make in our community on this page.

  • Membership is individual. They'll need to create their own account for themselves and purchase their own membership. Becoming a member, you signed an agreement stating that you will be the only one using the tools you are borrowing.

  • For monthly memberships, 1 month.

    For yearly memberships, 12 months.

  • Yes! You can create your account and purchase your membership in advance online.

  • You can create an account using this form: Create Account

  • Yes, your membership will auto-renew unless you choose not to. You can change this in your account settings. You will receive several emails when your membership is about to expire and we would LOVE and appreciate for you to renew online, by email or in person.

    Even if you have finished that big project and don't think you'll use Borrow It as much, continuing your membership annually supports our work in our community and helps us to make a robust service for everyone so that we have what you need when you start that next home renovation, garden project or dabble in a new hobby.

  • We want to make sure everyone stays healthy and safe, so we kindly ask that you consider paying for your membership and borrows online. It's super easy to pay for your membership online through your account, or if you prefer, we do accept cash or card payments in person.

  • We don't refund memberships. If your membership is set to auto-renew and you don't want it to, you can change this setting in your you account.

    Membership revenue supports our work in community and is vital to providing high quality education programmes in those communities that typically receive the least resources. However, we understand that life can be unpredictable and would never want to lock you into a membership you cannot afford. If you're worried about paying for your membership, email us at borrowit@brightbox.org.uk to see how we can help.

  • To become a member of Borrow It you must:

    • Be aged 18 or over
    • Give your personal details for use on Borrow It’s membership and library software: Full name, current address and valid email address
    • Have your identity and residence confirmed by Borrow It, by presenting a valid photo ID and a second form of identification showing proof of address dated within the last three months when you collect your first thing(s).
    • Pay for a monthly or annual Borrow It membership
    • Agree to this Members Agreement and the Borrow It Liability Waiver
  • To confirm your membership, we require a few documents to verify you are who you say you are. When collecting tools for the first time, please bring the following:

    • A valid photo ID with your name and picture
    • A second form of ID showing your address dated within the last 3 months

What's for sale?

  • Yes! Thank you for thinking of us to make someone else happy!

    Purchase a voucher from our shop matching the cost of the membership.

  • We don't sell our tools.

  • We stock dust masks, ear defenders, ear plugs, gloves and safety goggles. It's important to protect yourself when using noisy equipment that creates dust and opportunity for splinters.

    We think it is worth having these small pieces of your own at home - for hygiene and safety.

    You can purchase PPE here.

    Annual members will receive a small PPE pack with their membership.

  • Yes, we have a selection of consumables for sale. You can check when you collect the tools. Depending on the donations we receive, we usually have a mix of screws, nails, wall plugs, sandpaper, light bulbs, safety pins...

    We try our best to provide essential consumables with the tool you're borrowing - blades, sanding sheets etc. If you use these, we ask for a small donation in return when collecting and returning your tools.

  • Yes, but we prefer card payments. Late fees and donations towards supplies can only be paid in person. Memberships can be paid and renewed online from your Borrow It account.

Renewals and late fees

  • If you know you cannot return tools or you have realised you missed the return day, contact us as soon as possible. If there is no one waiting on the tool, we've not had to chase you up and it's your first time, we might just be able to let you off the hook just this one time. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

  • Yes, you can renew your tool reservations from your account in the last day of your borrowing if no one else has reserved it.

    If you are struggling to renew online, contact us at borrowit@brightbox.org.uk. We'll check if the tools are reserved and renew them for you.

  • Late fees are £0.50 per day per tool. So if you have a lawn mower and a drill, and you forget to to bring it back, you could be spending £2 per collection window missed.

    Remember, when you forget to return your tool on time, another member is missing out/ So all late tools are charged a late fee. We do not want to make money this way! It's how we make sure you don't forget next time!

     

  • You can pay the late fees in person at drop-off. Cash and card payments are accepted.

Illness and Covid 19

  • If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID 19 or have been in contact with someone who has symptoms, please do not borrow tools from us and do not come to the Borrow It facilities.

    If this affects you returning tools, please email us at borrowit@brightbox.org.uk or use our contact form here.

    If this affects a reservation you made, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can make the tools available to other members.

    This applies to other contagious illnesses. We're a small team and interact with the public on a regular basis. When one of us becomes ill, the entire team falls in within the month - have a massive impact on what we are able to deliver to our communities. Please protect our team and our communities by keeping your germs to yourself - please and thank you!

Other questions?

If you have any other questions, please use our contact form here or email us at borrowit@brightbox.org.uk