I make it a point to check out the PHOTO+VIDEO section of Craig’s List from time to time and it’s a pretty scary place. The first thing I notice, being a rental firm, is the number of private individuals offering to rent their equipment.

Oddly enough, they charge either way too much, or way too little. Either is cause for serious concern. People (and companies) know full well that offering to rent anything to the public in this section of Craig’s List is against the CL policies. The PHOTO+VIDEO section is designed for individuals to SELL their privately-owned photographic, video and other related personal property. It is not for the rental of equipment, studio space or the sale of pornography, yet those items appear on a daily basis, typically occupying up to a quarter of the section. Craig’s List staffers don’t seem to have the time or inclination to police the site for these obvious violations of the User’s Agreement.

While rare, people are actually being robbed and killed through their personal contact with a CL poster. Just browse the listing for complaints. Bait-and-switch, broken or obviously stolen equipment, fake posting just for kicks, and one of my favorites – the poster who tells you it’s a “professional” item. I know pro gear – and that’s not it.

Equally hilarious are posters that tell you how new and unused an item is, even though it was discontinued ten years ago, and they want more than the old retail price. Did they think we would forget? A Picasso may gain value with age, an Azden wireless will not.

If you dare to try to rent something from a CL Mystery Poster, and I can’t well recommend it, be aware that they are most likely uninsured, have no way to help you in the event of equipment failure (which can wipe-out the day’s shoot as you go looking for replacement gear evaporating your “deal” and possibly getting you fired), they will tell you that you broke it and must now pay for it, the package is deficit in accessories and other necessary items (so you need to go somewhere else to make the stuff work anyway).  And then there’s the guy’s who wants to go out with the gear as a bundled package including labor for an extremely low price, often less than the rental items themselves at a real& legitimate rental dealer.

He may be a master of his craft, lighting, grip, DP, camera operator, etc., but if that is the case, why isn’t he (or she) working on “real” projects? I think you already know th the answer. You’re better off with swine flu.

I have even heard tell that some of these ultra-freelancer’s will somehow be injured on the set, won’t even notify you or the Producer for weeks later, and hit you up for Workman’s Comp for a year or two. No workman’s comp you say? You just gave this guy your house, car, and future earnings.  The amount of the claim could be in the millions. Time to hire a lawyer or two.

There are many legitimate rental and sales dealers that post for sale items on Craig’s List. But this is of concern as well, if they are willing to violate the Terms & Conditions of posting items under the guise of an individual, a clear violation, how trusting should you be?

Trying to stay under the radar is often times a compromise of law. No business permit, no State Seller’s Permit, no insurance, no FEIN, not even a location. Sure they may sometimes charge less, they work out of their parent’s garage. Just a phone number – and it’s a cell phone.

Do you really want to expose yourself to this, expose yourself to risk by picking up gear from a guy’s apartment livingroom, the smell of dog’s and yesterday’s socks, and something un-identifiable burning in the kitchen?  Now that I’ve scared you near to death, do everyone a favor and rent your equipment from a real rental firm.

Even if not HSR, pick a real brick-and-mortar operation that has resources and resource in the event of catastrophe.  Remember, if the worst should happen and you as Producer is called upon to testify to something, and it comes out that you picked your crew (or part of it) from a Craig’s List posting, you may not meet the minimum threshold of responcibility and would be liable for whatever may come.

Boo.